Crazy good (for you) cocktails.

I was out for drinks with a girlfriend over the weekend.  Both being former fitness competitors -  we got pretty animated over eating and drinking healthy - it inspired today's post. 

I love a good drink, but am always secretly hoping in the back of my mind that that my body will somehow 'forget' about the extra calories I am drinking (ahhh wishful thinking I know, but a girl can dream!!).

After coming across these recipes, I can easily say now that it is practically your obligation to drink if you want to live a clean, and healthy lifestyle. 

These recipes are a few of the some of the most healthy, most antioxidant rich, most green, most calorie-conscious cocktails out there. 

The Green Bloody Mary

Start your Sunday brunch off right with this green twist on the classic:

1 1/2oz Absolut Vodka

Equal Parts Green Tomatoes, Cucumber, Tomatillos, and Parsley

1 Scallion

1/2 Jalapeño (optional)

Pinch of Salt

Blend. Drink. Love                                                                                                               

Blackberry Blossom

Blackberries & strawberries actually increase their antioxidant effect when combined with alcohol.  Who knew, right?!

This recipe gets an extra dose of vitamin C and antioxidant from the juice of yuzu, a citrus fruit popular in Japan.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               1 Medium Handful of Blackberries, muddled
2 oz Yuzu Juice
1 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz Agave Nectar
3 oz Vodka (or Sake),                                                                                                                     Prosecco (or sparkling white wine) to taste (optional)

Divide muddled berries between 2 tall glasses. Fill glasses to rim with ice. Combine the rest and pour over ice. Top with splash of Prosecco. Makes 2 servings.

'Beet'nik

So beet is, like, the miracle veg.  It is rich in

*deep breath*

A, B1, B2, B6, C, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper, Phosphorus, Sodium, and Iron.

It a natural cleanser, lowers blood pressure, helps with constipation, cleans the liver and kidneys, and it is just plain amazing.

Combine equal parts Orange Juice, Beet Juice, and Vodka.  Sweeten with a little Honey.

Garnish with an Orange Wedge.

(Be forewarned that beets are so powerful that it can change your urine to a pinky colour)

Marvelous Mojito

Nothing says summer like a mojito.  Summers on a patio. Somewhere in Spain. Or France. Some hot music playing in the background and you are tanned and gorgeous...

Add powerful and delicious berries for a sweet kick to the mojito (and the summer daydream)

1 1/2 oz. Bacardi Light Rum

Equal parts Raspberries, Clementines, Pom Pomegranate Juice
8-12 Fresh Mint Leaves  and the Juice of one Lime

1 oz. Agave Nectar
Soda Water

Thyme Sprig for garnish

Combine muddles berries and mint leaves & lime juice. Add the rum, and soda water to your liking.

Garnish w thyme sprig and drink your body healthy.

The Morning After Shake (Wild Blueberry & Hemp Shake)

So you had too much to drink.  The head-pounding. The dry mouth. The dizziness.  Try this puppy the next morning and see how you fare:

1 1/2 Cups Pure Water
5 tb Hemp Seeds
3 tb Agave Nectar
1 tb Coconut Butter (optional)
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 10 oz Package of Frozen Wild Blueberries
1 Cup Frozen Banana (optional)
Pinch of Salt

Serves 1 - Double or triple the recipe for your friends (or yourself). It is a full meal.

Blend everything except for the frozen ingredients on high speed
until it is white, creamy and frothy. Add the frozen ingredients
and blend again on high until smooth and creamy.

Adding the banana makes it thicker, creamier, and sweeter.  Up to you.

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Go on now. Drink & be healthy. On a Patio...somewhere in southern France...