653293 Fri Sep 18 12:38:43 -0700 2009 0 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 5040253 Chico’s Corner next to Fiesta market mainly serves espresso drinks, tea and hot chocolate. I didn’t catch the brand, but they do sell organic coffee and teas that use herbs grown in Sonoma County. On the side are a few bottles holding a few of Elixir Café’s potent potable non-alcoholic cordials. They may be ordered mixed with plain water or sparkling water. Ask for the cordial menu and it will list - Ancient Amazon’s Illuminance Cordial - Wisdom of Venus - Star Fire’s Desire - Miriam’s Heart - Espiritu Santos The site says “All our Elixirs are a feast to all 6 senses … composed of natural and mostly organic ingredients. They are alchemical combinations of whole plant extracts, herbal infusions, homeopathy, flower remedies, essential oils, crystals, gemstone essences and some with nutritional supplements added” I chose a sparkler called Lavender Fields Forever http://www.theinnershaman.com/Oral_Elixirs.html#anchor_205 This is the ingredient list Distilled Water, Organic Lavender, Roses, Blackberries, Chardonay Grapes, Apple, Honey, Raw Sugar, Flax, Mustard, Fennel, Rosemary, Feverfew, Vitex, Comfrey, Eucalyptus, Clover, Mullein, Damiana, Propolis, Stevia, Orange, Melatonin, Gorse, White Chestnut, Alcohol. Gem Essences of Rose Quartz, Amethyst and Emerald What is it like drinking emeralds … and everything else? It was refreshing. It had the slightly metallic taste of gemstones with floral sachet notes … but not in a bad way. Thought it might defeat all the health benefits, this might be nice in gin. As to the claims … “Let the relaxing and glorious energy of walking through a Lavender field carry your tension and anxiety away. This elixir’s energetic properties assist in restoring inner peace and lifting excess worries away. Activates pleasure centers. Follow your bliss.” Hard to tell. It was actually a glorious sunny day and I was already following my bliss and checking out local farm stands. While I may not have been walking through lavender fields, in some cases I was walking through fields that day. It was difficult to enhance a day that was pretty much perfect. In addition to selling at Chico's Corner, festivals, shows and farmers markets, Elixir Café has a tasting room in Sebastopol. I haven’t stopped by yet. . The lavender hot chocolate has nothing to do with the elixir’s. From what I understand the shop does some sort of drip process with dried lavender. I’ll give that a try next time. This is a little walk-up cafe. There are some outdoor sidewalk tables in front of the market. Chico's Corner 550 Gravenstein Highway North Sebastopol, CA 95472 Hours: Open 7 days a week Elixir Cafe (inside Twin Hill Ranch) 1689 Pleasant Hill Road Sebastopol, CA 95472 http://www.theinnershaman.com/ElixirCafe.html Hours: Tue-Fri 10-4, Holidays; Nov-Dec weekends Ninth Annual Chowing with the Hounds Picnic! October 3rd, 2009 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/652687 Fri Sep 18 12:38:43 -0700 2009 10264 rworange