4 healthy New Year’s Eve cocktail recipes

Healthier cocktail options

What makes these yummy cocktails a better-for-you option?

“They are all made with organic, fresh ingredients and fresh juices instead of over the counter stuff,” says Jennifer Italiano, owner of Toronto’s Live Organic Food Bar. “Pure ingredients make these holiday drinks easy to drink and not as hard on the body because there’s less sugar.”

She still cautions that moderation is key, though: “Like anything, it’s all about balance.”

Heaven and earth sangria

By choosing organic gingerale as opposed to regular, you’ll sub out questionable ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavours and colours, for simple ingredients like ginger root and natural cane sugar. A compound in red wine called resveratrol can protect against heart disease. Pineapple is one of the most hydrating fruits, which makes it a great option to pair with dehydrating alcohol.  Fresh pineapple has also been shown to help with digestion.

1/2 oz grand marnier
1/2 oz triple sec
4 oz organic red wine
Splash of fresh pineapple juice
Juice of 1 orange
Top with organic gingerale

Serve with ice

Add chopped fresh fruit (apple, pear, blueberries) and a sprinkle of hibiscus flower.

Purple Rain

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, lemon juice is high in vitamin C and sparkling water will help balance out the vodka content to keep you hydrated.

2 oz organic vodka
1 Tbsp of fresh strawberries
1 Tbsp of blueberries
Dash of fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp of coconut nectar
Sparkling water

Blend fresh berries with enough mineral water to cover. In a shaker add vodka, blended berry juice, coconut nectar, and lemon. Pour in a martini glass and top with more mineral water as needed. Garnish with fresh berries and edible flower

Dancing monkey

Not only can raw cacao boost your mood, studies have shown it can also boost brainpower, lower blood pressure and keep you focused and alert. A recent study showed that coffee drinkers live longer than those who abstain. Coffee has also been shown to improve cognitive function and memory.

2 oz organic vodka
1 tsp cacao powder
1/4 cup cold pressed coffee
1/4 cup coconut milk
2 coffee bean
1/8 tsp of agave or coconut nectar

Blend coffee, coffee bean, coconut milk, cacao powder and agave. Pour into a shaker with ice and vodka. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with cacao nibs.

Pear saketini

Agave is a low glycemic index sweetener, which means it doesn’t spike your blood sugar like other sweeteners do, so you won’t crave more sugar or crash after drinking this cocktail. Pears are packed with fibre, antioxidants and vitamins C and K. They’ve also been to shown to boost brainpower.

2 oz sake
Splash of vermouth
1/8 tsp of agave
Juice of 1 and 1/2 pear

Shake and serve in a martini glass. Serve with a pear wheel.

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