Hands up who’s been invited to a garden party or a barbecue already this summer? And why not! Warmer temperatures and lighter evenings makes eating outside an amazing experience and when you’re with friends, what better time to let your hair down? The thing is though, what if you really don’t want to undo all of your good work when it comes to keeping your body and mind healthy and sparkling? Never fear! – this week we’re bringing you three little healthy cocktails for your summer barbecue – so you don’t have to miss out, but you don’t have to compromise either. Enjoy!
A word on alcohol
Here are Little Soap HQ we tend to go by the 80/20 rule to life. We work hard at achieving our goals but we also like to let our hair down now and then. Alcohol is a personal thing. It’s not for everyone, but it’s there if you want it. Of course, without wanting to sound like a patronising government health advert, please do drink in moderation! The following recipes do contain small amounts of alcohol, balanced with other good bits and bobs – but feel free to make them without if you prefer, they will still be delicious!
Gin and juice
We love our juicers and we know you guys do too. So why not combine some freshly pressed juice into your gin cocktail this summer? You won’t be disappointed. This one is so simple. Just add ice to a glass, pour over a serving of gin then add the freshly pressed juice of your choice, and serve. Delicious!
Mixed berry mojito
Who doesn’t love a mojito? And when it’s packed with powerful berries like this one, you can feel all smug while you drink it too. Berries are filled with antioxidants and for this one we’ve added fresh basil too, which not only gives it a summery taste of the mediterranean, but also adds a few super powers into the mix at the same time. Basil is known to contain disease fighting antioxidants and acts as an anti-inflammatory in the body – whilst at the same time fighting viruses and infections, combating stress and protecting cardiovascular health. Basil also has antibacterial properties – so really, it would be rude not to!
To make the cocktail, you need:
- Mixed berries of your choice
- Fresh lime
- A little sugar
- A few basil leaves
- Rum
- Crushed ice
- Club soda or tonic water
To make the drink, simply mix the berries with the juice from half a lime and a sprinkle of sugar. Then add the basil leaves, rum and ice and fill with club soda or tonic water to taste. Top with another basil leaf and a couple of berries and enjoy!
Coconut gin and tonic
This one is so simple, and yes I know it’s gin again but hey, what can we say?! I guess this one would work just as well with vodka too, but there’s something very summery about gin. This one has to be tasted to be believed! Coconut water makes a fantastic addition to this drink, and has a number of amazing health benefits too. Besides aiding in weight loss, coconut water can also help to maintain a healthy digestive system, provide essential nutrients for healthy and glowing skin and also boost your hydration levels. Coconut water is also known to reduce high blood pressure, so this really is a cocktail with a punch! To make it you need:
- 50ml gin
- 50ml coconut water
- 50ml tonic water
- The juice from half a lime
- fresh mint or basil
Add ice to a glass then top with all the other ingredients. This one is seriously delicious so make sure you share it with friends!
