Shaken not Slurred …

It must be the end of ‘dry January’ because I’ve had a number of requests to ask for healthy cocktails or celebratory drinks. Well, I hate to break it to you, but there’s no really such thing – unless you’re thinking of a smoothie and the jury is also out on that one.

I’m permanently ‘dry’ and so I am often the last person to ask, although in the past I have enjoyed, like many, the odd alcoholic tipple. All alcohol is bad for your liver, but some is good for your soul if you can keep it to the occasional indulgence. Happily for those on a health-kick, low-to-no-alcohol, reduced-sugar and even vegan cocktails, are now on trend.

So if you’re ‘celebrating’ the end of ‘dry January’ then why not consider this cocktail from The Redemption Bar in London where the slogan “spoil yourself without spoiling yourself”. It’s called The Coco-Rita and believe it or not doesn’t have any alcohol in it but you would swear you’re getting tipsy when drinking it. Entirely up to you to add a shot of something to it if you so wish …

THE COCO-RITA COCKTAIL

Ingredients

METRIC/US

1 wedge fresh lime

rock salt to garnish

5 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

scant 2 tbsp birch syrup (a so-called healthy-sugar replacement – use your favourite sugar-free syrup instead if liked)

4 tbsp coconut water

scant 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

Method

Choose a beautiful martini glass, run a segment of lime around the top and then dip into salt to produce a salt rim.
Vigorously mix or shake the lime juice with the syrup, coconut water and orange juice for about 20 seconds.
Strain into the glass to serve. Go all fancy and decorate with an edible flower and lime wedge if liked.

SERVES 1

WLS PORTION: 1

V suitable for Vegetarians

CALORIES PER PORTION: 24

PROTEIN: 0.4g

CARBOHYDRATE: 5.7g

FAT: 0.1g