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.

t.g.i.f. this week was a doozy. i'm feeling a bit depleted after a ton of teaching over the last two weeks. i do feel really grateful to teach and move with so many amazing people, but my voice can only take so much. so after my classes tomorrow i'll be laying low and resting. 

the good news is, spring is popping up all over socal and we have done some major home improvement projects in our little side yard garden. my plan is to rest up with my main squeeze with this very tasty cocktail on our new deck. it's the perfect beverage to ring in spring.
tequila sunset
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 1 minutes
total time: 3 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila. 2 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. 4 oz club soda. splash of grenadine. grapefruit wedge for garnish. large ice cube or cup of ice. 

start by filling your glass of choice. pour in your tequila. 

followed by the grapefruit juice, club soda and finally the grenadine.

garnish with grapefruit and serve. 

xo, a

tequila sunset
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 1 minutes
total time: 3 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila. 2 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. 4 oz club soda. splash of grenadine. grapefruit wedge for garnish. large ice cube or cup of ice.
start by filling your glass of choice. pour in your tequila. followed by the grapefruit juice, club soda and finally the grenadine. garnish with grapefruit and serve.