Friday, February 12, 2016

The Gutsy Ginger Cocktail


It's a cold and snowy day in Louisville today and I am all about warming drinks and foods like my Golden MilkNutrition Soup, and Stewed Coconut Lentils. And now the Gutsy Ginger Cocktail! It's Friday, it's Valentine's Day weekend and this cocktail has a double warming factor. Bourbon and fire-y ginger kombucha are the perfect combination for a cold winter night.



If you know me well, it's no secret that I'm a fan of kombucha. If my budget allowed, I would drink ginger kombucha every day of my life. If you've never had kombucha before, or if you've never heard of it; it's a sweetened tea that has been fermented with a SCOBY. SCOBY stands for a Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast. Now, before you weirded out by the words bacteria and yeast being associated with your cocktail, hear me out.

Kombucha is effervescent, meaning it's fizzy like a soda. I gave up soda back in 2010 for health reasons but that doesn't mean I don't still love that burn on the back of my throat from drinking something carbonated! In my opinion, kombucha is the new soda. It's relatively low in sugar (due to the fermentation process by which it's made), it contains healthy bacteria your gut loves (probiotics, heard of them?), as well as electrolytes (for hydration). Also it's delicious. And available in innumerable flavors. Are you on board yet? What about mixing this nutrient dense, gut flora improving, delicious beverage with some bourbon to create my spin on the classic Whiskey Ginger?

Personally, I don't drink often, so when I do, I make sure it's something really good - both in quality and in taste. One reason is because mornings are sacred to me, and having a hangover kinda messes up my morning. Another reason is because most of the time, alcohol makes blood sugar control a lot more difficult, and I work hard every day to make blood sugar control my top priority. Organic red wine (no headaches! if consumed in moderation) and kombucha cocktails are my go-to adult beverages. A lot of people in my life have questions about whether or not I can drink alcohol (living with type 1 diabetes) and if so, what can I drink? The answer is that it's a personal choice, just like for anyone else. However, there are increased risks drinking with diabetes than there are without. That's why I choose the "cleanest" alcohol I can (low sugar, organic) and only consume on occasion. I hope you've got a little adventure in your heart this weekend and try this recipe out!




The Gutsy Ginger Cocktail
By Bailey West, B.S. Nutrition/Dietetics
Serves 2

2 ounces bourbon
Ginger kombucha, to taste*
ice
salt & pepper rim, if desired

1. Dip the rim of a glass in water, then in a salt & pepper mix.

2. Pour bourbon into a glass over ice, followed by kombucha.

*Use your favorite brand! My favorite ginger kombuchas are by Buchi and GT's.


1 comment:

  1. Girl you better try that with some old forester ;) guess what I'm gonna make this weekend!

    ReplyDelete

Share your thoughts!