Long before bottled sodas and bar carts, people were preserving the brightness of fruit and the warmth of spice in vinegar, honey, and time. Shrubs and switchels are among the oldest drinks in the American tradition, sipped on porches and farm fields well before they became trendy again in craft cocktail bars.
This fall, I'm inviting you into that tradition for an evening of tasting, making, and sipping.
We'll talk through the history of these drinking vinegars and tonics, from colonial-era switchels to the shrub revival happening now. You'll taste several of my own seasonal creations, made in advance just for this evening, and we'll make one together as a group so you can see and smell the process from start to finish. You'll leave with a sample to take home, a full recipe handout covering everything we tasted, and the confidence to keep making more on your own kitchen counter all season long.
This is a tasting-forward, hands-on evening. No experience necessary, just curiosity and a thirst for something a little different.
🌼 No experience needed—just curiosity and a love of nature
🌼 All materials and supplies are provided
🌼 You’ll leave with your own mocktail mix and confidence to make more
🌼 Open to ages 18 and up
Come solo or bring a friend—this is a warm, welcoming space to create, learn, and experience the magic of herbal traditions made simple.
Your Host
Michelle Spalding is a clinical herbalist and holistic health coach with over 1,800 hours of formal training in Western herbalism, vitalist philosophy, and holistic coaching. She is a lifelong plant lover and the founder of Wild Thistle Herbs and Alchemy in Waco, Texas.
Michelle brings a warm, down-to-earth approach to everything she teaches. She believes herbalism does not have to be complicated or intimidating. A cup of tea, a little plant knowledge, and a room full of curious people is honestly one of her favorite things.
Her workshops are beginner-friendly, hands-on, and grounded in the idea that plants are for everyone. Whether you leave with a new skill, a deeper curiosity, or simply a better afternoon than you expected, that is a good day.
Michelle is a proud member of the American Herbalists Guild, Herbalists Without Borders, and the Flower Essence Society. She offers herbal consultations and holistic coaching both in person in Waco and via video for clients nationwide.