Detox Mocktail

August 22, 2016 | Leave a Comment

After several weeks of non-stop celebration, my liver needed a bit of a detox. Not my typical ‘detox/retox’… but, rather just an actual detox. So what better way to satisfy your cocktail craving than with this detox mocktail recipe?

I know, what you’re thinking: it seems nearly impossible to wave away a bottle of champagne just for the sake of your liver. I mean what has he ever done for you? (Besides continually working to prevent blood clots, helping to stabilize your metabolism, and breaking down fats to produce energy). There comes a time when your body just needs (and deserves) a break.

That’s why we have the mocktail, my friends. A clever way to trick you brain to think you’re enjoying an adult beverage, but secretly you’re encouraging your body to flush and function. This concoction has a few of my favorite things, including: Apple Cider Vinegar, Grapefruit Juice and Peach-Pear flavored La Croix (very important ingredient to help fit the tartness). Your liver and stomach will be thanking you the minute you decide to slide this drink down your throat.

Apple Cider Vinegar has become a recent acquaintance in my diet, and I’ve sure learned to love him. It’s a natural digestive aid and has been used for medicinal purposes for years and years. For a list of the many benefits of ACV, click here.

Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice helps round out the drink with a touch of tartness while the sparkling water adds a much-needed splash of sweetness (without any actual sugar added).

And guess what? There’s more good news! If you have been behaving yourself lately and need a little more indulgence in your life… you can easily (and deservedly) make this mocktail into a cocktail. Just add and extra splash of your favorite tequila or vodka… and you’re ready to party!

Apple Cider Vinegar and Grapefruit Detox Mocktail

What You’ll Need:

1 oz apple cider vinegar (I like Bragg’s)
2 oz grapefruit juice
4 oz Peach-Pear flavored La Croix (or your sparkling water of choice)
Ice cubes
Optional splash of vodka or tequila (1 or 2 oz.) if you’re looking to turn up the party

What You’ll Do:

Fill glass with ice and pour in ingredients one by one; stir and enjoy

Pineapple Drank + Flamingo Bar

August 11, 2016 | 2 Comments

Still wheelin’. Still dealin’. I’m now pushing two-weeks past my thirtieth birthday… but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop talking about it OR celebrating it. Hell – that’s what you do when you’re OLD AF! SO, once again… throwing it back to my recent birthday trip….

Upon arrival, I wanted to welcome guests with a pineapple drank. Why you ask? Well, for several reasons:

Rumor has is that pineapples are the southern symbol for ‘welcome’ in SC
According to the folks over at Mercola, pineapples are the “king of fruits” acting as a great source of vitamin c AND they provide “three-quarters of the manganese needed for one day in a single serving”
They taste good!! I LIKE THEM

I served these welcome cocktails at the entryway so guests had something in their hand right away. (God forbid we socialize without a drink in our hand!). I then dressed up another bar within the house to play off the tropical theme. Ask anyone who knows me, I love a good theme. Cocktail napkins with palm trees? Done. Flamingo stickers and tags? Of course. Stripped and gold straws? Not even going to answer that one (because it’s a freakin’ YES.). You get the jist.

Pineapple Drank Recipe

What You’ll Need:

1 large container of pre-cut pineapple chunks (I don’t like to put a ton of elbow grease into my cocktails… so why not buy fresh, pre-cut when you can?)
Vodka
2 to 3 oz sparkling rosé
1 pineapple juice (make sure it doesn’t have extra sugar added)

What You’ll Do:

Arrange pineapple chunks in shallow bowl, cover with vodka and place in freezer (these will act as your ice cubes)
After several hours, remove pineapples and place in tumbler glasses
Fill glasses with sparkling rosé, top with a splash of pineapple juice
Add straw (raspberries too, if you want a little more color!)… and get the party started!

Fourth of July Spritzer

July 1, 2016 | 3 Comments

You’ve made it to Friday; you’ve made it to the holiday weekend; you’ve made it to your Fourth of July spritzer. This jazzed up drank has all the things I love – rosé, vodka, sparkling water, blueberries and ‘yonce’s watermelon.

It’s a great detox-retox drink because it incorporates a ton of hydration. The addition of the sparkling water is a no-brainer, but watermelon is also packed with h20 as well. So, once again, you’ll by hydrating while you’re dehydrating. What a perfect way to say “I LOVE YOU, AMERICA. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”.

Fourth of July Spritzer

What You’ll Need:

watermelon slice, cubed into 1 inch square
small handful of bluberries
3-4 oz of vodka
your favorite dry rosé
sparkling water (I used La Croix’s Pamplemousse flavor)

What You’ll Do:

After you’ve cubed your watermelon, place inside an air-tight container and cover with a few ounces of vodka. Seal/cover and set in fridge overnight.
Remove the vodka-soaked watermelon and fill about 1/3 of your glass with the fruit. Add blueberries. Muddle together to get the juices/vodka at the bottom of the glass.
Add ice and 2-3oz of rosé.
Top off with sparkling water. Stir. Sip. Finish. Make another.

Blueberry Ginger Vodka Soda

June 17, 2016 | 1 Comment

This cocktail hour is calling for a blueberry ginger vodka soda.

Let’s start with the classic vodka soda. It’s my go-to drink when I don’t want beer, wine or a terrible hangover. Yes, it’s low-calorie and offers some hydration while you dehydrate, but let’s face it, it’s boring. Lame. Brings nothing to the table. SO – let’s spice (and sweeten!) it up for this detox-retox recipe.

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, the antioxidants in blueberries help “neutralize harmful free radicals that can lead to cancer and other serious diseases.” They’re also packed with vitamin C – helping to fight off infection. Ginger is a natural aid to an upset stomach and great for beating that bloat. Put together, and you have quite the dynamic duo. Mix it with vodka and it’s party-time! Seriously, this drink deserves to wear a superhero cape.

Blueberry Ginger Vodka Soda

What you’ll need:

2 oz of vodka (again, I like Tito’s)
six blueberries
1/2 tbsp of grated ginger
juice of half a lime
sparkling water & ice

What you’ll do:

Muddle blueberries and ginger at bottom of glass (if you’re a normal human and don’t have a muddler lying around, here’s a trick: try a spoon! It will do the exact same thing.). Be sure to get the juices out of the root ‘n fruit.
Add 2 oz of vodka
Juice of half a lime and stir it all together.
Add ice and top with La Croix (because it’s having a moment, people)

Ginger Kombucha Cocktail

May 20, 2016 | 2 Comments

Kombucha is a great fermented drink and probiotic powerhouse (which helps with your digestive track). Vodka is a great way forget about your ex. Mix the two – and you’ve got you’re first Detox-Retox cocktail.

Ginger Kombucha Cocktail

What You’ll Need:

2 oz Vodka (My favorite is Tito’s. Because it’s American. And America Rules. But Ketel One also works.)
2 oz Ginger Kombucha
2 oz Sparkling Water
Fresh Lime Juice (half of a lime)

What You’ll Do:

Fill glass with ice
Pour vodka, kombucha and sparkling water into glass
Finish by squeezing in the juice of half a lime
Stir; drink that drank