PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES

On those days when you’re rehydrating or simply just over coffee, water and boring old soda, head to Village Grind and order a liquid elixir. Made with sparkling water and one of the shop’s yummy elixirs, the drink is refreshing—not too sweet, not as boring as it sounds, with elixirs made from herbal tonics meant to soothe your tired city soul and restore the balance you lost last night drinking (probably not elixirs). The Village Grind’s elixirs feature such promisingly awesome names as Liquid Yoga; Virtual Buddha (“the liquid path to enlightenment” for enhancing creativity, opening the mind, and centering the spirit); and Power Plant (a “jump-start tonic” with herbs like yerba mate, green tea, ginseng and Guarana). Each elixir is packed with a blend of all-natural flavoring and Chinese herbs used for centuries. My favorite, the Liquid Yoga, “a chill-at-will tonic,” has a light fruitiness and boasts Jujube (used for sedating and nourishing the heart, while also calming the spirit); Chinese Peony (nourishes the blood, harmonizes the liver and spleen); Fleece Flower (tonifies the liver and kidneys); Longan (nourishes the spleen Qi and tonifies the blood); and Aucklandia (promotes the movement of Qi and alleviates pain). All that in a delicious light soda? Um, yes please! Top it off with one of their tasty sandwiches and you’re set to take over the world. One word of warning: The Village Grind seems to be sadly short staffed, so you may have to take your chances on it being open when you come by.

THE VILLAGE GRIND 443 E FIRST ST | LONG BEACH | 90802 | 562.432.4033

Tags: Drink of the Week, liquid elixirs, Long Beach, tonic, village grind