HEALTHY SPRING SMOOTHIES AND COCKTAILS
1. Power Gulp
This smoothie combines kale, apple, grape, and cucumber. Grapes contain phytonutrients associated with anti-aging, as well as flavanols, which stimulate fat burning. The kale in this smoothie has over 1000% of your daily value of vitamin K, which supports healthy bones.
Ingredients
1 cup sliced kale (from about 3 large leaves)
1 cup seedless green grapes (about 28)
1 cucumber, thickly sliced
1 small Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into chunks
1/2 cup water
How to Make It
In a blender, combine kale, grapes, cucumber, apple, and water; blend, scraping down sides occasionally, until smooth. Strain juice and, if desired, thin with additional water. Before serving, garnish with a fresh kale leaf and a cucumber slice (optional).
Nutritional Information
Calories per serving 110
2. The Ottoman Cartel
This recipe infuses your happy hour with good-for-you ingredients by adding beets—which have compounds that may help lower blood pressure and fight chronic disease—and carrots to your cocktail.
Ingredients
1 oz. spiced barberry syrup (see ingredients below)
1 oz. Lime Juice
2 oz. Tequila Avión silver
3 oz. beet soda (see beet soda ingredients below)
A lime wheel (for garnish)
Marigold Flowers (for garnish)
For beet soda
500 ml of beet juice
250 ml of club soda
For spiced barberry syrup
1/2 pint barberries
4 dried ancho chilies
15 chile de arbol
1,200g water
1,500g sugar
A dash of salt
How to Make It
Beet soda: combine two parts fresh beet juice (use a juicer on large red beets or whip up this no-juicer beet juice) with one part soda water in a soda siphon and carbonate. To make the spiced barberry syrup: combine all ingredients except sugar in a large pot, and gently simmer for 30 minutes. Slowly add sugar while stirring. Let cool and strain. To make the cocktail: combine the barberry syrup, lime, and Tequila Avión silver in a shaker. Shake and then add beet soda to the tin. Strain into a Collins glass with regular ice. Top with crushed ice and garnish with a lime wheel and marigold flowers.
Nutritional Information
Calories per serving 180
3. Matcha Ginger Green Tea
Matcha is a traditional Japanese green tea. Finely powdered whole tea leaves provide a higher concentration of nutrients than tea that is simply brewed with leaves. Matcha is good for the heart and healthy digestion. Paired with ginger and a small amount of caffeine, this is an ideal pick-me-up for any time you might be slumping. Apple and spinach provide fiber and chia seeds kick in the protein.
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz baby spinach
1 orange – peeled
1 apple – chopped
1/2 inch ginger
1 tsp matcha powder
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 cup water
1 cup ice
How to Make It
In a blender, combine all the above ingredients and water and blend until smooth
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving 109
4. Strawberry chamomile Paloma
These Strawberry Chamomile Palomas are the perfect drinks to celebrate spring… and then Easter… even Mother’s Day in May, plus everything in between!
Ingredients
Chamomile honey syrup
3/4 water
1/3 cup honey
1-2 chamomile tea bags
For the drinks
3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice (about half of 1 grapefruit
2-4 tablespoons chamomile honey syrup depending on your taste
2 ounces tequila omit to make a virgin version
4 fresh strawberries sliced
Sparkling water for topping off
Crushed ice
How to Make It
Chamomile honey syrup
Combine water and honey in a small saucepan and bring to a low boil, simmer 1 minute and remove from the heat. Add the tea bag, cover and steep for 5-10 minutes. Remove the tea bag and allow the syrup to cool completely. Store in the fridge.
For the drinks
Add the grapefruit juice, chamomile syrup, tequila and strawberries to a glass. Use a muddler (or even the end of a rolling pin), gently push the strawberries down until they release their juices and are lightly smashed. Add a handful of ice and then add sparkling water to top off. Give the drink a gentle stir. Taste and add more chamomile syrup if desired.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving 200
5. Frozen Pinky Cocktail
Try this refreshing recipe for a Frozen Pinky cocktail! The pineapple juice naturally reduces bloating to help with a flat belly!
Ingredients
1.5 oz Bacardi Rum Light
¼ oz Triple Sec
1 oz light cranberry juice
1 oz pineapple juice
A squeeze fresh lime and lemon juice
How to make it
Mix in blender with ice until thick and delicious, garnish with a fresh orange slice and serve!
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving 200