Tag Archives: honey

Regarding Agave in Cocktails

Posted on April 15, 2010 | 1 Comment

I’m hearing a lot of mixed things about agave. About how it is just as bad, or worse than, high fructose corn syrup. About how it is extremely processed and quality varies greatly. Etc. Etc.

Truthfully, I’m sure exactly what to believe, but better to be safe than sorry. I went ahead and took out agave from all the recipes and put in honey. I also think raw sugar is a decent option.

Bottom line, it is DEFINITELY safe to decrease sweetener intake overall, so that should really be your main goal.

Link: one take on agave nectar.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Non-alcoholic

Tagged , ,

Strawberry, Lemon & Mango Margs – Healthy Cocktail #7

Posted on March 29, 2010 | Leave a comment

awkward strawberry-head man

Brief: it was over 80 in L.A. this weekend, meaning it was time to BBQ and have some blended drinks. Instead of combining some gross pre-made mixers with tequila, I went to Trader Joe’s and grabbed some fresh fruit.

In this situation, I went for some very fresh looking strawberries and meyer lemons. I also had some mango juice, so I made mango juice ice cubes to use instead of normal ice.

Makes: 1 pitcher

Ingredients

  • 15 medium to large sized strawberries
  • 12 oz of fresh squeezed lemon juice  (~8 lemons) – limes OK, too
  • 15-20 mango juice ice cubes – blender should be 2/3 full with ice (normal ice works too, but add 8 oz juice)
  • 8 oz tequila
  • 4 tablespoons of honey

Directions

  1. mango juice in ice trays = mango juice ice cubes
  2. cut the tops of the strawberries (and make your fresh squeezed lemon juice)
  3. combine all ingredients into a blender and blend
  4. be amazed. be refreshed

This one is easy to make and easy to modify.  Just switch out the strawberries and/or mango juice for whatever fruit looks fresh (papaya, kiwi, cranberry, orange, blueberry, pineapple, raspberry, etc). BUT, do not remove the 12 ounces of lemon/lime juice. It is critical.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Tequila

Tagged , , , ,

Kiwi Mint Lime – Healthy Cocktail #6

Posted on March 27, 2010 | Leave a comment

Brief: So I’ve made a couple cocktails before this that were definitely NOT worth posting; however this Kiwi based drink is awesome! It’s strong, so is meant to be served as a martini or in a highball (full of ice). Watch yourself.

Kiwi is loaded with vitamin C and also a good source of fiber, potassium, copper, magnesium, vitamin E, and manganese. So don’t be afraid to add extra kiwi if you have it.

Kiwi Burst

Awkward fruit pictures are a dime a dozen; this gigantic kiwi topped with more kiwi is no exception.

Makes: 2 cocktails

Ingredients

  • 20 mint leaves (flexible)
  • 2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 4 small to medium sized kiwis (peeled)
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 4 oz of light rum (vodka and gin also work)
  • 2 oz water

Directions

  1. Puree the kiwis in a cuisine art or blender (or just smush if necessary).
  2. Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker (with ice if you’re serving as a martini). Shake hard!
  3. Strain into highball glass (tall and skinny) filled w/ ice, or martini glass.

If you’re a pulp lover, combine everything except the kiwi and strain. Then add the kiwi puree as the last step and mix. Hardest part of this drink is peeling the kiwis and pureeing them. Otherwise, pretty easy and great!

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Gin, Rum, Vodka

Tagged , , ,

Mango Margarita – Healthy Cocktail #4

Posted on February 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

Oh look what I found, a mango on a perfectly raked, white sand beach. I hope it's organic.

Brief: a surprisingly good margarita substitute that contains around half as many calories as a normal margarita (please stay away from store-bought margarita mix!).

Makes: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

  • 1 oz mango juice (I used Trader Joe’s Mango Passion Fruit Blend)
  • 1/2 oz lime juice (about 1 fresh squeezed lime)
  • 1.5 oz tequila (the lighter colored, the better)
  • 3 oz filtered water
  • 1/2 oz of honey
  • 1 cup ice

Directions

  1. in a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients including ice.
  2. shake vigorously (feel free to throw the lime pieces in there).
  3. strain into a margarita cup with ice (or any old cup).
  4. if you’re fancy, garnish with lime wedge.

If you’re having a party, an alternate is to multiply the recipe by five and put in a blender. Serve in a pitcher. It will be tough to have just one of these.

If anyone out there actually reads this, I’d love to hear your thoughts, critiques, changes, or whatever.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Tequila

Tagged , , ,

Fancy Ginger & Blueberry Bellini – Healthy Cocktail #3

Posted on February 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

Brief: A quick and easy, low-calories cocktail that looks like it would cost $8.00 at a restaurant but really is pretty cheap to make.

Makes: 5 cocktails

ginger, you are one hot tuber

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons minced ginger
  • 1 cup fresh whole blueberries
  • 2 tablespoons of honey (sub w/ 1 tablespoon sugar if needed)
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice (fresh squeezed – 1 lemon)
  • 2 1/2 cups of blueberry juice (recommend Just Blueberry from Trader Joe’s – no added sugars, flavors, etc.)
  • 1 bottle dry sparkling white wine (or Vodka is a great sub)

Directions

  1. mash the blueberries, minced ginger, honey, and lemon juice together
  2. add blueberry juice and ice (if the juice is cold enough, it’s OK with out ice).
  3. mix and let sit for 5-10 minutes
  4. strain the juice and pour 3 or 4 ounces into champagne glasses (the glass should be about 1/3 full)
  5. top it off with the dry sparkling white wine
  6. if you’re fancy, add some blueberries in. they’ll float!

This is a good option for a dinner party. The drier the sparking white wine, the lower the calories. Dry white wine, in general, is one of the lowest calorie drink options (around 60 calories a serving). Vodka actually makes a great substitute for the wine if you’re looking for more of a kick; serve it martini-style.

Again, I use the Trader Joe’s pure blueberry juice because it doesn’t have gross additives that inflate the calories and make you feel worse in the morning (not to mention, just more natural).

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Vodka, Wine

Tagged , , ,