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Illustration for The Mopoke's LullabyChapter IIILoose-leaf chamomile, passionflower & hops herbal blend with rose & spearmint in a white ceramic bowl

Book III · Chapter III · The Last Trick

The Mopoke's Lullaby

A bush lullaby of chamomile, hops and rose petals

Long after midnight, Ambrose sits on a log in the gully, all out of tricks. Then a mopoke in the gum tree starts her soft two-note call, and one by one the lights in town go out. Ambrose finally understands: the last trick isn't a trick at all. He sets his top hat aside, drops chamomile, rose petals and a pinch of hops into the pot, and pours one last warm cup for himself and the owl. Lights out.

Where it's from · The mopoke, or southern boobook, is Australia's smallest owl, named for her two-note call. Hops are the papery green cones best known for flavouring beer; here they add a mellow, gently bitter depth. Chamomile and passionflower carry on from the lamplighter's hour, joined by rose, cornflower, lemongrass and spearmint.

Caffeine
None
Good for
Sleep, Calm
Tastes
Floral, honeyed
50 g · $12.95100 g · $21.95250 g · $44.95

Chamomile, passionflower & hops herbal blend with rose & spearmint · Hot · Ordering opens soon

What's in the jar

The make-up of this chapter

In the cup · Apple-and-honey chamomile leads, with rose petals adding a soft perfume and lemongrass a gentle lemony lift. Hops and passionflower bring a mellow, faintly bitter herbal depth, and spearmint leaves a cool, fresh edge at the end. It pours a pale straw-gold, silky cup made for the hour after the dishes are done and the lamps go low.

Layers show the ingredients in order of quantity, largest first. Tap any layer or ingredient to read about it.

Good to know

Love it, brew it, know it

Why you'll love it

  • Naturally caffeine-freeNothing but flowers, herbs and leaves, so it slips easily into the last hour of the evening.
  • Old-fashioned bedtime botanicalsChamomile, passionflower and hops have been part of bedtime traditions for generations; rose and spearmint keep the cup bright.
  • Borrowed from the brewerHops, better known in beer, lend a soft, faintly bitter note that keeps the chamomile and rose from tipping into sweetness.

How to brew it

Water
100°C
Leaf
2.5 g
Per cup
250 ml
Steep
5–7 min

A full seven minutes draws out the hops' gentle bitterness; stop at five for a softer, more floral cup.

Good for & good to know

  • Better sleep
  • Calm & de-stress

Contains: Daisy family, Not pregnancy-friendly.

Contains daisy-family flowers — avoid if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums or marigolds.

Contains passionflower and hops. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding without advice from your healthcare professional.

Book III · The Conjurer's Last Trick

More from Ambrose's book

Chapter IAmbrose

The Afternoon Show

The Aniseed Conjurer

Liquorice and chocolate, conjured from aniseed and vanilla

Caffeine
High
Good for
Treats, Weight
Tastes
Sweet, chocolate
from $14.95
Chapter IIAmbrose

The Lamplighter's Hour

Lavender Lamplight

Chamomile and lavender for the hour the lamps come on

Caffeine
None
Good for
Sleep, Calm
Tastes
Floral, honeyed
from $12.95