Diary / Beauty / Sep 26, 2022

5 Creative Cocktails Packed with Beauty Benefits

Written by: Alexandra Malmed

When the clock strikes 5 PM (or, let’s be honest, 4 PM), we’re usually ready for—if not, figuratively speaking, in need of—a drink. We’re adamant about keeping our diets as virtuous as possible, exercising moderately, meditating, and treating ourselves to deep, restful sleep nightly—and we have zero desire to throw all of this pleasurable “work” away with our Happy Hour regime. So what is a person to do? Raise a glass to (and sip) a clean, delicious cocktail, of course.

The following recipes are relatively easy to make—you likely already have most of the ingredients in your home bar—and each contains ingredients that’ll improve your skin, provide you with a boost of antioxidants, or aid your body in cleansing itself, naturally. If you’re going to drink (a decision that we fully support), you may as well make your life and self even more beautiful in the process of doing so. Here, a few of my favorite recipes.

The Pomegranate Martini

If you’re going to go for a martini, you may as well provide yourself with a few antioxidants, an extra kick of tart flavor, and a beautiful crimson potion to look at. According to Doctor Fuhrman, pomegranates can aid memory and brain functioning and even help to protect consumers from cancer and heart disease. They are also high in antioxidants and vitamin C to protect skin and boost collagen production.

Ingredients

  • Ice

  • 3 oz organic gin or vodka (we prefer vodka)

  • 1/2 oz dry vermouth (can be subbed for organic pomegranate liqueur in lieu of pomegranate juice)

  • 1/2 oz organic pomegranate juice

  • Citrus-stuffed olives

  • Pomegranate rind for garnish

Directions

Fill a shaker three-fourths full with ice. Add gin or vodka and vermouth or pomegranate liqueur; cover and shake until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with olives and fresh pomegranate rind

Note: This recipe makes a dry martini. Add less vermouth for an extra-dry martini; use more for a "wet" martini. You can also serve the martini over ice in a rocks glass.

The Cucumber and Caviar

Cucumber is hydrating, which is ever-essential to wellness, and especially so when imbibing. It’s also packed with beautifying and cleansing vitamins and minerals. Dr. Jockers reports that cucumbers can relieve joint pain, aid in weight loss, reduce cholesterol, promote digestion, help to lower blood pressure, rehydrate and remineralize the system, and provide silica for healthy hair. Caviar needs no introduction, but nutritionists including Kaayla T. Daniel recommends, the occasional consumption of high-fat animal foods including caviar, which contains healthy fats, can help to enhance the libido. Caviar contains vitamins B5, B6, B12, and D, riboflavin, and calcium, and the amino acid L–Arginine, which helps to increase circulation and blood flow throughout the body.

Ingredients

  • 3 oz cucumber vodka

  • Dash of dry vermouth

  • Cucumber shavings, cut lengthwise, preferably from

  • Ice

  • Petrossian Caviar cube

Directions

Vigorously shake liquid ingredients together with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled martini glass, and add the strips of cucumber (using a mandolin to get precise cuts is best). Garnish with a Caviar cube and thin slice of cucumber on a toothpick.

Ginger Margarita

Light, flavorful, and packed with superfoods. Tequila and vodka are lower in carbohydrates and unnecessary sugars than darker spirits, so stick to them if you’re interested in looking and feeling your best and having your drink, too. According to Dr. Axe, “Ginger contains a diverse array of many important vitamins and minerals. It also contains gingerol, a compound with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been linked to many unique health benefits.”

Ingredients

  • 2 oz silver tequila (we like Espelon, Patron, and Casamigos)

  • 2 oz organic fresh or bottled lime juice

  • Freshly ground ginger, to taste

  • Maldon sea salt or Himalayan pink salt, to taste

  • Stevia (we prefer liquid stevia by 365 or NOW Foods) to taste

  • Ice

  • Optional: sliced jalapenos or other chile peppers

Directions

Shake all ingredients save for the ginger, salt, and jalapeno with ice, pour with a strainer over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Sprinkle in a pinch (or several) of each of the remaining ingredients. Garnish with a slice of fresh lime, a slab of ginger, or fresh peppers.

Yuzu Snow

The Japanese citrus is bright, flavorful, and high in antioxidants. It’s a perfect drink to sip while watching the snow and will transport you, vibe-wise, to Japan (as much as a cocktail can). According to Dr. Axe, the Japanese citrus can enhance mood and decreases stress, relieve inflammation in the body, is high in antioxidants, relieves inflammation, and boosts the immune system (due to the vitamin C content).

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 oz organic gin, vodka, or tequila

  • 1⁄2 oz St. Germain

  • 3⁄4 oz Yuzu Juice

  • 1 dash of grapefruit bitters

  • 1 twist of lemon or Meyer lemon zest

  • Ice

Directions

In a shaker combine all ingredients with ice. Shake to combine and chill. Pour over fresh ice in a Collins glass on the rocks, garnish with a twist of Meyer lemon.

Smoked Sage Margarita

Sage actively improves memory, relieves sore throats (so, yes, this can serve as medicine), aids digestion, and calms allergies. Dr. Mercola informs us that sage also boosts cognitive function and helps to manage blood sugar and weight.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz silver tequila

  • 1 oz Cointreau or St. Germain

  • 2 oz organic fresh or bottled lime juice lime juice

  • Stevia to taste

  • Fresh sage leaves (or sprigs of sage)—organic, if possible

  • Ice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a tumbler, shake, and pour into traditional margarita glass. Using a lighter, quickly bring the flame to the sage and then release into the drink to extinguish the flame, release the natural oils of the sage, and flavor the cocktail.

Diary / Beauty / Sep 26, 2022

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