As we enter into the holiday season, over consuming in a variety of categories always pops up, especially with relation to food and drinks. Just as we enjoy quality ingredients in our food, so too can we insist on this in our cocktails. While claiming that a cocktail is healthy would surely be a stretch, a healthier cocktail is absolutely attainable. With all the fresh pressed juices readily available in markets these days, we can easily ditch the soda and sugary chemical loaded mixers for superfood style drinks that taste great and deliver plenty of benefits.
A few things to keep in mind while choosing the alcohol of your preference is to select a better organic brand than some of the GMO grain-soaked varieties. I prefer to use vodka or tequila in all of my cocktails because they are the cleanest. Tequila has actually been said to have health benefits.
The concoctions below include seasonal fixings that will help get you through the upcoming holiday parties restored and in style. Pinkies up!
Liveliness Lemonade
Photo by Chef Pinoy
Cucumber – hydrates, flushes toxins, rich in vitamins and minerals, aids in weight loss
Lemon – balances PH, helps maintain blood pressure, weight management, aids indigestion
Ginger – closely related to turmeric, aids digestion, relieves nausea, anti-inflammatory properties, rich in anti-oxidants
Honeycrisp Apple – rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and 5g fiber per apple
Ingredients:
2 oz. vodka
1 cucumber
1 lemon peeled
2 Honeycrisp apples seeded
1 tablespoon fresh shaved ginger
Add all ingredients except vodka to a blender. Blend and strain. Add strained juice, 2 oz. vodka, and ice to a shaker. Shake. Pour into martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel.
Magnificent Matcha Martini
Photo by Today’s Nest
Matcha – a tradition of the Japanese culture. This is the highest quality green tea available. Detoxifies boosts memory and concentration, promotes endurance, burns calories, loaded with ECG’s, fortifies immunes system, lowers cholesterol, enhances calmness, high in anti-oxidants.
Lemon – balances PH, helps maintain blood pressure, weight management, aids indigestion
Coconut Water – hydrates, rich in vitamins and minerals, lowers blood pressure, appetite suppressant
Raw Honey – counters pollen allergies, natural energy source, high in anti-oxidants, wound healer
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz vodka
1 ½ oz. lemon juice
¼ teaspoon matcha powder
1 oz. raw honey simple syrup
2 oz. coconut water
Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey to 1 cup warm water. Stir to combine and until honey is melted throughout. Set aside. Add all other ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add simple syrup. Pour into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel.
*note* Raw honey will not stay “raw” and have the same health benefits if heated above 95 degrees- warm water is important.
Sage-arita
Photo by Men’s Journal
Sage – Flavor is a lemon and earthy combination. Boosts memory, aids digestion, calms allergies. Great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Lime – Helps weight loss, improves digestion, relief from constipation, relieves respiratory and urinary disorders
Orange – An excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. High in calcium and B vitamins
Ingredients:
2 oz. tequila
2 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. fresh orange juice
1 oz. raw honey simple syrup
6-10 sage leaves (depending on size and flavor preference)
Add sage leaves to a cocktail shaker. Pour lime juice over and muddle leaves. Add tequila, orange juice, and simple syrup. Shake and pour over ice in an old fashion glass. Garnish with sage leave.
Just “Beet It” Martini
Photo by K&K Kitchen
Beets – their beautiful rich color creates a unique and appealing drink. Blood builders, high in vitamin B and C, helps boost stamina, and fight inflammation, anti-cancer properties, and supports detoxification
Basil – contains a wide range of essential oil, helps treat inflammation, swelling, contain anti-aging properties, rich in antioxidants, and contains antibacterial properties
Ingredients:
2 oz. fresh beet juice
1 ½ oz. vodka
1 oz. Ginger liqueur (Canton Ginger)
1 oz. lime juice
10 fresh basil leaves
Add basil leaves and lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Muddle leaves and juice. Add all other ingredients over ice and shake well until chilled. Pour into chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh basil and/or float a lime slice.
This article was previously featured on Spa Week.
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