In this edition of “Mix Your Menu,” we focus on three health-conscious cocktail recipes that you can fold into your menu for customers looking to live a cleaner 2018.
We are thrilled to feature a cocktail recipe from Breakthru contributor Beth Ritter Nydick, author of “Clean Cocktails: Righteous Recipes for the Modern Mixologist,” which as of this writing is the number one new release in the alcoholic spirits section of Amazon. In addition to her Fresh BeGINings recipe, we also included two clean cocktails inspired by Beth’s approach to holistic ingredients and developed by our own beverage specialists.
1 oz. mezcal
1 oz. amaro
1 oz. sweet vermouth
1 oz. freshly squeezed blood orange juice
3 dashes orange bitters
Blood orange peel for garnish
Add all ingredients (except garnish) to cocktail shaker with ice, and stir vigorously until well chilled. Strain over a large ice cube into an old fashioned glass.
“Blood oranges have a high concentration of anti-inflammatory properties, as well as higher concentrations of Vitamin A, C, B9 and Calcium. The crimson tint is what makes these oranges so healthy. They are grown in the volcanic atmosphere in Sicily—they scream Mediterranean Diet!”
2 oz. blanco tequila
.5 oz. ginger liqueur
.5 oz. lime juice
.5 oz high-quality maple syrup
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker with ice, and shake vigorously to combine and chill.
Serve one of two ways: strain into coupe glass (or margarita glass) or strain over rocks or one large cube in a rocks glass. Salted rim is optional. Garnish with lime wheel.
“Tequila has many medicinal properties, and is known to be great for chest colds and loosening the things that get stuck during the cold, wintery months. Also, maple syrup contains zinc, which has proven to protect against heart disease. Syrup also protects your immune system, it protects skin health and is an alternative to sugar that can help improve digestion.”
2 oz. gin
.25 cup fresh pineapple chunks
.5 cup organic kale juice
3 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Muddle all but one of the pineapple chunks and the basil leaves in a cocktail shaker until there are no large pieces remaining. Add kale juice, gin and ice. Shake for 10 seconds and strain into an ice-filled highball glass and garnish with remaining pineapple chunk.
“The marriage of kale and sweet pineapple is the basis of Fresh BeGINings. Both are high in magnesium and other vital compounds that promote anti-aging. The basil rounds out this powerhouse by adding its share of adaptogens, which help us deal with the stress life throws at us.”