we all know that alcohol isn't exactly "good for us." sure, some of the different varieties offer a few benefits. but the real benefits of booze are measured in my mind by how it makes you feel. sure, overindulging in some libations is not good for you, but the relaxation and release you receive from a drink or two is undeniable.

so how do you balance the benefits of relaxation with what we know isn't necessarily "healthy?" 

duh, just add more healthy stuff to it.
and the benefits of ginger are undeniable. it is a great anti inflamitory, helps hearth health, increase digestions and is fabulous in a margarita. 

ginger margarita
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 7 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila. 1 oz grand marnier. 1 lime. 1 inch of ginger, peel removed. 1 tsp sugar. couple pinches of salt. micro plane. stainer or cheesecloth. tumbler. 1 cup of ice. 1 lime wheel. 

start out by zesting your lime. on a plate, combine the salt, zest and two pinches of the sugar and set it aside.

in a glass, combine the tequila, grand marnier and the juice of the lime. 

use the squeezed lime to rub some lime juice on the edge of the glass. 

dip the lime juice rubbed lip of the glass into the zest mixture, coating the rim of the glass. 

grate your ginger with the micro plane over a strainer or some cheese cloth. 

when you have grated all your ginger, press all the juice out. you should end up with about 1 oz of ginger. 

pour in your tequila mixture. stir well to combine. 

top with ice. garnish with a lime wheel. enjoy. 

xo, a

ginger margarita
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 7 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila. 1 oz grand marnier. 1 lime. 1 inch of ginger, peel removed. 1 tsp sugar. couple pinches of salt. micro plane. stainer or cheesecloth. tumbler. 1 cup of ice. 1 lime wheel.
start out by zesting your lime. on a plate, combine the salt, zest and two pinches of the sugar and set it aside. in a glass, combine the tequila, grand marnier and the juice of the lime. use the squeezed lime to rub some lime juice on the edge of the glass. dip the lime juice rubbed lip of the glass into the zest mixture, coating the rim of the glass. using your micro plane. grate your ginger with the micro plane over a strainer or some cheese cloth. when you have grated all your ginger, press all the juice out. you should end up with about 1 oz of ginger. pour in your tequila mixture. stir well to combine. top with ice. garnish with a lime wheel. enjoy.

it seems to me, that life is a series of stages. you have your childhood, your high school years, some people have college. then general young adulthood. then suddenly, everyone you know is getting married. one year i was in four weddings. i think i hit ten weddings in eighteen months at one point. my guess is some of you are nodding along by now. 

but i am in a new phase now. baby phase. all around me, friends, coworkers and clients seem to be popping up pregnant. in honor of all the lovely ladies who are walking around cooking up a little life, here is a drink that you too can enjoy. and don't worry, it is the perfect base for some vodka, or even a little gin for those of us just cooking up friday night dinner. 

basil lemonade
serves: 5 cups
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
total time: 10 minutes
ingredients: 4 cups water. 1.5 cups fresh lemon juice. .75 cups simple syrup. .25 cup fresh basil leaves. 1 cups crushed ice. ice for serving. basil sprig for garnish. strainer. muddler.

in a medium bowl, combine the ice and simple syrup. 

rip up the basil leaves and add it to the ice and syrup. 

use your muddler to smash the basil, ice and syrup mixture together. 

you are trying to bruise the basil to release it's oils into the syrup. 

after your leaves are good and bruised, pour in your lemon juice. 

mix well till everything is combined. 

strain the lemon juice mixture over a large pitcher. 

stir in your water to taste. 

serve over ice with sprig of basil. 

xo, a

basil lemonade 
serves: 5 cups 
prep time: 5 minutes 
active time: 5 minutes 
total time: 10 minutes 
ingredients: 4 cups water. 1.5 cups fresh lemon juice. .75 cups simple syrup. .25 cup fresh basil leaves. 1 cups crushed ice. ice for serving. basil sprig for garnish. strainer. muddler. 
in a medium bowl, combine the ice and simple syrup. rip up the basil leaves and add it to the ice and syrup. use your muddler to smash the basil, ice and syrup mixture together. you are trying to bruise the basil to release it's oils into the syrup. after your leaves are good and bruised, pour in your lemon juice. mix well till everything is combined. strain the lemon juice mixture over a large pitcher. stir in your water to taste. serve over ice with sprig of basil.