Grapefruit and Rosemary Mule

Last summer my cousin, Cynthia, visited me for a long weekend. She brought with her this recipe for a refreshing adult cocktail. It quickly became our drink for the summer. The refreshing grapefruit and lime takes an ordinary mule to a whole new level. Make a pitcher and share with your friends…..warning, they will be a hit! Hint: Tamp the rosemary prior to placing in the glass to release its essential oils adding to the flavor of the drink.

Grapefruit and Rosemary Mule

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka

• 2 ounces freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice or 1/2 grapefruit

• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice or 1 TBSP lime juice

• 3 ounces chilled ginger beer

• 1 sprig fresh rosemary

Instructions:

Fill a tall glass with ice. Add the vodka, grapefruit juice, lime juice, ginger beer, and stir to combine. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary and serve.

Sparkling Kombucha

Kombucha has become so popular that now there are kombucha stations in local grocery stores with growlers. Are we taking this beneficial beverage too far? It seems we are an all or nothing society. When a new health benefit is discovered, there seems to be the tendency to consume and over consume. Kombucha is fermented tea, and just like any other fermented foods, it’s rich in bacteria. The bacteria, when ingested, feed the gut microbiome which strengthens the immune system and aids in the digestion of our foods. The process of making kombucha begins with a “mother.” The mother is similar to the “mother” of apple cider vinegar with a host of bacteria and yeast. Better known as a SCOBY it’s placed in a glass container with black tea and sugar for a period of 7-21 days. There are many online resources that explain exactly how to make your own.

Kombucha has clinical research to back up its health benefits including: a source of probiotics, is an anti-oxidant, shown to reduce risks of certain cancers, can help manage Type 2 diabetes, kills off certain bacteria and candida yeast. With all the benefits listed, it’s no wonder why so many people are a fan. Keep in mind that to get the benefits of this highly prized beverage, a person only needs to consume about 2 ounces a day. That’s not a lot. Certainly not the bottles purchased at the store. As a matter of fact, a 16-ounce bottle will last me at least a week. Too much can have negative implications, like the over consumption of sugar, caffeine, and digestive distress. Bottom line is to listen to your body.

If you are in social circles that have adult beverages, but are not one that likes to drink, here is something to consider, drink kombucha with some club soda and spritz it with mint and rosemary. You can join in the social portion of the drinking while consuming the benefits of a probiotic.

Sparkling Kombucha

• 2 ounces Kombucha, any flavor

• 2 ounces club soda

• sprig of mint and rosemary

• sliced fruit (optional)

• ice

Mix altogether and enjoy.