Sipping Through Time

Let’s talk about time travel—but make it herbal.

If someone had told me a few weeks ago that I’d be standing in my kitchen, holding a scarlet brew that smells like summer in a colonial herb garden, I’d have raised an eyebrow and gone back to my iced oat latte. But here I am, humming something vaguely revolutionary (was it Hamilton? Possibly) while steeping the Spiced Hibiscus Summer Toddy from Oliver Pluff & Co., and wondering why nobody warned me that this brand would send me down a deliciously nerdy rabbit hole of botanical bliss.

Welcome to my new favorite way to hydrate: historic, flavorful, antioxidant-rich, and slightly rebellious.

The Moment I Fell for a Toddy

Let’s begin with this: I live in a modern world where wellness is often a grab bag of green powders and buzzy TikTok ingredients. But sometimes, your body doesn’t want another supplement smoothie. It wants something real, something that comes with a story, a ritual, and a reason.

That’s how the Spiced Hibiscus Summer Toddy Kit made its entrance.

You know that feeling when your kitchen smells like a spice market collided with a garden in bloom? That’s what happens when you brew this. The hibiscus gives it this rich, tangy, ruby glow—like liquid rubies, really—with a tartness that tickles your tongue in the best way. Cinnamon and ginger warm things up, without overpowering the freshness. It’s grounding and uplifting all at once, and if that sounds like a contradiction, you clearly haven’t tried this toddy yet.

I made a gallon (yes, a gallon) in one go. Partly because I was curious. Mostly because the 1-gallon kit came pre-measured and ready to go—just add hot water, steep, chill, and boom: instant summer magic.

Pro tip? Add slices of orange and a sprig of mint before refrigerating. Serve over ice. Or, if it’s one of those long weekends, add a generous splash of rum and serve to friends while telling them they’re drinking something inspired by 18th-century wellness. Watch their eyebrows lift. Then watch them ask for seconds.

Why This Isn’t Just Tea—It’s A Philosophy

Here’s what makes Oliver Pluff different. This isn’t just a company that makes great tea. They make historically accurate teas, inspired by what colonists actually drank—whether to survive the winter, soothe their nerves, or protest imperial taxation.

Their tagline? “Sip a cup of history.” I didn’t realize how deeply I’d love that concept until I found myself reading about the Boston Tea Party, then sipping a blend that mimics what was likely thrown overboard that fateful night.

Because here’s the wild part: This brand started with a historical question. “What teas were tossed into Boston Harbor in 1773?” And from that question came an entire company dedicated to reviving old-world blends with new-world freshness. It’s like the ultimate historical reenactment—only instead of costumes, we’re playing with cups, kettles, and infusions.

And it all tastes amazing.

Colonial Remedies: Old-School Wellness that Still Works

Now, let’s talk about the Colonial Remedies Collection, which I like to call my new “tea cabinet first aid kit.”

If you’re someone who turns to peppermint when your brain feels foggy, or ginger when your tummy’s doing somersaults, this line will feel like home. Each blend is an homage to 18th-century herbal know-how, the kind of folk wisdom that predates big pharma but often works just as well (if not better, let’s be honest).

Here are a few of my favorites:

• No. 3 Peppermint: Bright, bracing, like the tea version of a crisp morning walk.
• No. 4 Chamomile: Soft, apple-sweet, and just dreamy enough to lull you toward sleep.
• No. 5 Ginger: Spicy, grounding, and practically medicinal when you’ve overdone it on cheese. Again.
• No. 6b Lemon Balm: This is what I brew when I need a pick-me-up that doesn’t involve caffeine. It’s gentle, citrusy, and makes me feel like I’m doing something kind for my nervous system.
• No. 7b Cinnamon: Warming and cozy with a digestive punch. This is the tea you drink after a holiday meal, preferably in socks.
• No. 8 Lavender: Floral, fragrant, and kind of like sipping a nap in a meadow.

Bonus: the Relaxing Trio and the Soothing Trio offer thoughtful combinations that take the guesswork out of your day. Want to unwind after a long Zoom slog? Chamomile + Lemon Balm + Lavender. Need something to settle your nerves and your stomach? Peppermint + Ginger + Cinnamon. Each tube comes in gorgeous packaging that feels like it belongs in an apothecary.

I now keep these by my bed, in my kitchen, and—because I am that person—in a little zip pouch in my bag. Never know when you’ll need a calm-me-down cup of something ancient and magical.

Boston Tea Party, but Make It Sippable

If you’re a history buff—or just someone who likes dramatic storytelling with their drinks—The Teas of the Boston Tea Party collection is the ultimate tea-time flex.

Five blends, straight from the annals of rebellion:

• Colonial Bohea: Smoky, bold, and utterly addictive.
• Congou: Smooth, dark, a little mysterious.
• Lapsang Souchong: Campfire in a cup. Not for the faint of heart, but unforgettable.
• Young Hyson: A green tea with sass. Light and grassy, but with a revolutionary soul.
• Singlo: Delicate, floral, and subtle enough to make you feel sophisticated without trying.

This collection turns your afternoon tea ritual into a revolutionary act. It’s not just about drinking tea; it’s about drinking intention, story, and spirit. I’ve started writing little historical fun facts on notecards when I serve these to guests. It makes everyone feel like they’re part of a secret tea society.

And yes, I now use the phrase “I’m throwing a Boston Tea Party” to mean “I’m inviting people over for black tea and good gossip.”

But Back to the Toddy…

Let’s rewind to my summer savior: the Spiced Hibiscus Summer Toddy Kit. I’ve now made it three times. Once for a backyard dinner, once just for me, and once for a picnic with a friend who’s deeply skeptical of anything that doesn’t come in a can. She took one sip and said, “Oh wow. What is this and why does it feel like it’s healing my insides?”

Mission accomplished.

The hibiscus is tangy without being sour. The spices are present but not overpowering. You can dress it up with spirits or citrus slices or keep it classic with just ice and intention. It’s the kind of drink you want to share, but also hoard.

And now that I’ve tried the bergamot blend too—equally citrusy and elegant, with just enough floral to make you feel like you’re lounging under a lemon tree in 1792—I’m officially a seasonal toddy evangelist.

Why I’m Sticking with Oliver Pluff

Here’s what I love: these teas feel like care.

Care for the body, with blends that work gently and naturally.
Care for the mind, through thoughtful rituals that invite you to slow down.
And care for the story, by preserving traditions that make you feel connected to something bigger.

This isn’t your average grocery store tea. This is tea with a passport. Tea with ancestors. Tea that might whisper secrets if you steep it long enough.

Whether you’re a tea snob, a wellness seeker, or just someone who loves beautiful things with a bit of backstory, Oliver Pluff makes the kind of products that invite curiosity. You learn, you sip, you feel better—inside and out.

And the packaging? Let’s just say my kitchen shelf has never looked so good. Between the collectible tins, the glass herbal tubes, and the toddy kits that feel like treasure maps, I’ve basically redecorated.

Final Thoughts from My Teacup

In a world obsessed with the next health trend, there’s something radically beautiful about looking back instead of forward.

Oliver Pluff isn’t reinventing the wheel. They’re reminding us that the wheel was already working—and probably being steeped in chamomile.

So here’s to sipping history. To hibiscus and bergamot, peppermint and ginger. To stories that heal, flavors that connect, and tea that doesn’t just taste good—but feels good.

I’ll be over here with a glass of iced Spiced Hibiscus Toddy in hand, humming “Yankee Doodle,” and wondering what other herbal secrets our ancestors have left behind.

Because honestly? This cup of history tastes like the future of wellness.