These Healthy NYC Cocktails Are *Practically* Good for You
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Between the alcohol and various syrupy additions to the ingredients list, cocktails are one of the most calorific and unhealthy vices. But if you avoid tiki-style, sugar-laden concoctions and pick beverages mixed with veggie juice and antioxidant-rich spices happy hour becomes a little healthier.
Detox Retox at Catch
Restaurant, Coffee Shop, Japanese, American, Seafood, $$$
Ingredients: Viva XXXII Joven Tequila, matcha tea, fresh cucumber, mint, lime.
Good for you because: Matcha (finely ground, powdered green tea leaves) is packed with antioxidants. Studies show it can
improve your mood and give you a sustained
energy boost without the jitters of coffee.
Garden Variety Margarita at The Wayland
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Juice Bar, American, Pub Grub, $$$
Ingredients: Blanco tequila, ginger and kale juice, lime, agave nectar, smoked sea salt. Good for you because: Kale is high in iron, vitamin K, and fatty acids which fight inflammation.
Ginger Rogers Sour at The Lucky Bee
Ingredients: Bourbon, fresh ginger juice, fresh lemon, lemongrass-infused honey.
Good for you because: Ginger is great for soothing the stomach and aiding digestion, which makes it an ideal complement for booze.
Casablanca at Slowly Shirley
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub Grub
Ingredients: Gin, rum, dates, turmeric, harissa, honey, lemon, Majon Dry Spanish Gin, Scarlet Ibis Trinidad Rum.
Good for you because: Antioxidant-rich turmeric fights inflammation, eases indigestion and can even boost your immunity.
Lowside Special at Fresh Kills
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Juice Bar, Pub Grub, $$$
Ingredients: Amaro Lucano, fresh juices of pineapple and lemon, house-made orgeat (sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar, and rose water), cracked pepper and soda water. Good for you because: This cocktail is low on alcohol and contains hydrating fruit juices and soda water to help prevent hangovers.
Mace at Mace
Cocktail Bar, Pub Grub, $$$
Ingredients: Aperol, aquavit, beet juice, orange acid, young Thai coconut cordial, mace mist
Good for you because: Besides being high in vitamin C and potassium, beets are also great for your liver, thanks to
betaine, an amino acid that helps aid detoxification.
Bison at Night of Joy
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub Grub, $$$