Find out more about the plants you’re drinking. Each plant has its own character, its own story and many have been used for centuries in ceremonies, health tonics and remedies.
Valerian was always a must-have for Nightcap. The heavyweight champion of indulgent plant remedies. Very relaxing, Valerian is used in many traditional stress relievers and sleep aids.
Latin name: Valeriana officinalis
Function: Relaxes and de-stresses
Flavour: Pungent, fresh and caramel
Actives: Valerenic acid, iridoids
A modern variant of a calming plant used for thousands of years
Latin name: Humulus lupulus
Why we love it: Part of the cannabis family, the hops have a great, resinous bitter flavour that gives beer its fruity flavours and moreish quality.
Function: Promoting calm and relaxation and anxiety reduction
Flavour: Bright, bittersweet
Actives: Multiple terpenes
Chilled-out, aromatic herb
Why we love it?: Used in perfumes and calming remedies, the fragrance soothes and the oils provide several compounds known to aid relaxation.
Function: Reduces anxiety and provides calm
Flavour: Gentle, warming citrus aroma
Actives: Rosemarinic acid, caffeic acids, chlorogenic acid, metrilic acid, flavonoids
Brightly coloured super-root
Latin name: Curcuma Longa
Why we love it: Turmeric is an unmistakable aromatic that provides relief for the body. We added to Nightcap for its soothing qualities.
Function: Revitalises, fights pain and counteracts imbalance.
Flavour: Fragrant, zesty and rich.
Actives: Curcumin
Powerful Ayurvedic adaptogen
Latin Name: Withania somnifera
Why we love it: A magical adaptogenic panacea, ashwaganda is revered in Ayurveda and makes its way into Nightcap for its powerful function!
Function: Soothes frazzled minds and relieves stress
Flavour: Subtle, bitter and nutty
Actives: Multiple alkaloids, saponins and lactones
Piper Nigrum
This bright spice is loved by chefs the world over. It works synergistically with other ingredients in Nightcap to increase potency, and adds a brilliant mouthfeel.
Function: Increases the bioavailability of other beneficial compounds in our formula.
Flavour: Piquant, spicy and hot
Actives: Piperine
Sensational spice famous in Sichuan cooking
Latin name: Zanthoxylum piperitum
Why we love it: This brilliant spice famous in Sichuan cooking gives punchy flavour and sensation to Nightcap. Two fun facts… it gives a gentle electric buzz and it’s part of the citrus family rather than pepper. Now you know!
Function: Stimulates circulation and mood-boosting hormones.
Flavour: Tingly, cooling and numbing citrus.
Actives: Sanshool.
Latin name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Sweet and soothing root
Function: Soothes the stomach and reduces stress
Why we love it: A great digestion aid for after-dinner slow sipping. Worth noting this tastes nothing like liquorice sweets which are flavoured with other spices.
Function: Soothes gastrointestinal problems and reduces stress.
Flavour: Sweet, woody and complex.
Actives: Glycyrrhizic acid.
Lush and indulgent, bringing robust body to Nightcap
Latin name: Acer Saccharum
Why we love it: We use the late season sap for its robust flavour. Rich in minerals and natural sugars, it brings pure indulgence to Nightcap.
Function: Provides antioxidants and nutrients that protect the body from free radicals
Flavour: Sweet, woody and spicy
Actives: Sucrose
Cure-all rhizome with a fiery kick
Latin name: Zingiber officinale
Why we love it: Ginger perks you up and stimulates a bunch of body systems whilst giving a tropical taste and mouthfeel. A flavourful, functional powerhouse that’s at home in the exotic, fiery Livener.
Function: Metabolic booster that primes you for a big night
Flavour: Lively, hot and green
Actives: Gingerol, Zingerone, Shogaol
