Healthy Organic Spirits, Mixers and Cocktails that Prevent Hangovers

Cocktails don't have to be such diet killers. You don't have to wake up with a hangover that defeats the day after. Your immune system doesn't have to be completely depleted after a dozy. You don't have to wake up feeling listless and moody in the morning. If you are a smart cocktail consumer you can choose multitasking mixers that make your drinks do double-duty: they'll make you feel good and your body will thank you the next day.

Organic Spirits are Healthier for the Planet

To make your favorite cocktail instantly healthier, first and foremost choose organic spirits. Unless of course you enjoy sucking down chemicals. Don't forget that your favorite vodka, gin, tequila, sake, or whiskey started as a seedling. Whatever fed that little sprout became part of its makeup—water, chemical sprays, plant food and all. Sure, those chemicals and fertilizers where sprayed with the intention of "protecting" the crops from invading insects and illness, but they also seeped into the earth; and the circle of contaminated soil, water, and our bloodstream so began. Point? Organic spirits are free from noxious chemicals making them healthier for the planet and for you.

Organic Spirits can help Prevent a Hangover

We get it, when standing at a crowded bar amidst throngs of friends and singles all vying for attention, the earth's health might not be the first thing on your mind. But what about your own? If you were offered a vodka with a shot of chemical mixer would you say with glee "Oh yes, please!" Probably not. What if I told you that by drinking organic spirits you can minimize your hangover? Would that get your attention? Thought so. You see, according to Holistic Nutritionist Jason Deyo, organic spirits are absolutely the way to go in order to better your chances of avoiding a hangover. "Our livers are overburdened as it is with the excess consumption of toxic calories; when we consider the pesticide content of the conventionally grown wheat and corn in this country that we can avoid taking by choosing organic spirits, the choice is clear." Choosing organic spirits also has positive environmental effects like limiting the amount of chemicals that wind up in the groundwater.

Deyo explains that "Our liver is the basic detoxification center for what gets through the intestines. Alcohol irritates the liver by creating excess free radical damage during the detoxification process. If we're going to consume alcohol, especially in any large quantity, we want to try to limit the load of toxins and pesticides we have to process by choosing organic." In other words, alcohol irritates the liver enough. Add chemicals from conventional spirits to the equation and you've got an overworked and overstressed liver (leaving you suffering from a hangover the next day). Organic spirits aren't filled with the liver-taxing chemicals that conventional spirits are filled with. Therefore, you are minimizing the load of toxins and pesticides filtering through your liver. Bottom line: Drink organic spirits, lower your likelihood of having a hangover. I'm sold!

Paul Davis, a pioneer and producer of organic spirits in the United States, agrees "because organic spirits tend to make for a cleaner, smoother taste and, dare I say, less hangover." Apparently a big believer in the organic production of spirits, Davis doesn?t just grow all ingredients on certified organic farms, but his rye is grown only on one farm in Germany that has been biodynamic for the past 10 years. In fact, his organic vodka and Juniper Green are so pure they are unfiltered. This is actually a good thing, according to Davis. "The world has been taught through advertising that filtering is good, but that is not entirely true. They filter because if they did not, their vodka would not be consumable. While it is true that if you filter, the product is stripped of all the congeners and other nasty stuff, all the good qualities and character is also stripped out." After all, you can't take out the bad without taking out some of the good.

Not sure if your alcohol of choice is offered organically? You'd be surprised. Here are a few to try:

Vodka

- Vodka 14, a craft-quality USDA Certified Organic vodka produced by Altitude Spirits.

- Square One Organic Vodka is an ultra-premium, certified 100% organic vodka made from organic American rye. We also love their organic flavored options like Square One Cucumber and Square One Botanical—a blend of 8 organic botanicals including pear, rose, chamomile, lemon verbena, lavender, rosemary, coriander and citrus peel.

- Elemental Vodka is crafted by Highball Distillery from 100% northwest organic wheat from Bob's Red Mill in Milwaukee, Oregon and powered with wind-generated electricity.

Rum

- Papagayo White and Spiced Rums are made from organically farmed sugarcane, eco-friendly, ethical, and fair-traded.

Tequila

- Casa Noble Tequila produces three 100% organic, ultra-premium, triple-distilled tequilas including Crystal, Reposado, and Anejo, all made from 100% organic Blue Agave. We're talking not only organic, but this stuff will rival and reign over most any other tequila. Yes, it's that tasty.

Gin

- Juniper Green Organic London Dry Gin is crafted from organic juniper, coriander, angelica and savory—botanicals carefully chosen to enhance the smooth organic grain.

- Organic Nation's Ashland Oregon is Oregon's first Gin company, producing clean, clear and organic Gin.

Whiskey

- Highland Harvest Organic Scotch Whiskey.

Sake

- Saké One Organics produces superior organic sakes including Momokawa Organic Junmai Ginjo, and Momokawa Organic Nigori.

Liqueurs

- Combier Liqueur d'Orange is made from 100% organic sun-dried orange peels from the French West Indies, sugar beets from Normandy, pure alcohol from Paris...yes, that good.

- ROOT Organic Spirits is the first true American liqueur since the Pre-Prohibition Era made from certified organic ingredients, like anise, birch bark, cloves and cardamom, with hints of spearmint and citrus, the liquor is distilled in limited batches to ensure maximum quality.

- Loft Organic Liqueurs are made in the style of Limoncello but from all fresh fruits or botanicals without any additives, preservatives, colors or flavorings. You must try their Lavender, Lemongrass and Spicy Ginger (Tangerine, Blueberry, Basil and Lemon Verbena are in development).

Multi-Tasking Mixers

Choose your mixers wisely. While many drinks are calorie-loaded, sugar-packed, and pretty much guarantee a quick and dirty buzz followed by a bloated face and headache the next am, some drinks can have a downright decent during and after effect. Let your cocktails multi-task to help up your immunity, fight free-radicals, increase your energy, improve your mood, even help you ease or help prevent a hangover.

1. Free-Radical Fighting Mixers

Antioxidant-rich foods are considered to be one of the most effective preventative steps against heart disease and cancer. They bolster your body's system to better protect against free-radicals, while simultaneously repairing damage already done. Plant foods, particularly those with bright hues like blueberries, beets, acai berry, pomegranate, and raspberries are bursting with the cell defenders. Increase your intake by slipping them into your favorite summertime cocktails.

Free-Radical Fighting Cocktail Recipes

Mt. Harvard Berry Martini 14

3 ounces Vodka 14

1 ounce sweet vermouth

3 ounces fresh pomegranate juice

Shake together and pour into a pre-chilled martini glass. Garnish with a skewer of fresh blackberries.

Blood Orange & Beet Margarita

From FIG restaurant in Santa Monica

1/2 ea juiced Blood Oranges

1/2 oz Lime Juice

1/2 oz Agave Nectar

1/2 oz Beet Juice

1 1/2 oz Tequila (reposado)

Muddle blood orange wedges, add all ingredients and shake well. Serve over ice in a tall glass, garnish with a half blood orange wheel.

2. Soothing Mixers

Some herbs are especially adept at strengthening and nourishing the nervous system, helping to put the psyche at ease. More than simply tranquilizing, nervines (plant remedies that calm the nervous system) are able to have a profoundly calming effect on both the body and mind. Roman chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, passion flower, and valerian are all known to have the pacifying effect.

Soothing Cocktail Recipe

Casa Noble Margarita Lavanda

Equal parts:

Casa Noble Organic Crystal Tequila

Fresh Lime Juice

Lavender Syrup

Garnish with a sprig of fresh Lavender

For Lavender Syrup:

2 cups water

2 cups granulated sugar

2 tablespoons fresh or dried lavender blossoms

Bring all ingredients to a boil in a large, stainless steel saucepan. Remove from heat and allow to steep 30 minutes.

Strain, chill and refrigerate, tightly covered.

3. Energizing & Stimulating Mixers

Forget about those chemically-concocted energy-boosting mixers that force your body into an almost frenzied high and instead look to natural mixers with the ability to both nourish and energize the body and mind. Instead of sending sugar levels through the roof, energizing herbs are effective by increasing oxygen to the body, cleansing the blood, and improving digestion (think green chlorophyll-rich plants), or through saponins which help balance blood sugar and lower cholesterol. The result? You are able to naturally derive more energy from your foods. Energizing and stimulating herbs include Siberian Ginseng (saponins), licorice, rosemary (memory stimulation), eucalyptus (increases circulation), peppermint (mental stimulant), lemon verbena, and basil.

Energizing Cocktail Recipe

Gin's Jumper

Created by Melodie Buell of Organic Nation Spirits

6-10 Fennel Seeds

2 slices Organic cucumber

2 small Basil leaves

1 pea size drop Agave

1 3/4 oz Organic Nation Gin

Muddle in a 12 oz bucket glass. Shake Briefly. Re-top with Ice. Top with Soda Water. Add 2 squeezes of lime juice (approx 1 1/2 teaspoons). Garnish with a Large Sprig of Basil and a slice of Cucumber.

4. Immune System Boosting Mixers

Alcohol is known to suppress the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off offenders. Fight back with an immune system bolstering mixer. A few naturally boosting botanicals include:

- Oregano is known to treat everything from colds to warts. It is considered to be a "hot oil" because of skin's response when topically applied.

- Cinnamon boosts the immune system by supporting the pancreas and digestive system (according to Chinese medicine, the health of the pancreas is directly related to the immune system).

- Lemons help restore the body's internal pH balance by encouraging healthy bacteria and defending against harmful bacteria and viruses.

- Peppermint is said to cool and soothe the respiratory system and sinuses making breathing easier.

Immune System Boosting Cocktail

Mexican Chocolate Martini

From Mar'sel Restaurant at the newly opened Terranea Resort

1 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka

1/2 oz Almond Milk

3/4 oz High quality chocolate syrup

Dash of cinnamon

Dash of cayenne pepper

Blend with ice and served up with a combo of Demerera sugar/cinnamon/cayenne rim

5. Fat-Burning Mixers

There are a couple of ways in which herbs can help burn fat:

- "Hot herbs"—Hot herbs are known to heat up our bodies, an effect that can ultimately help speed up the metabolism if it is normally slow. A few hot herbs include fresh ginger, sezchuan peppercorn, cayenne pepper, jalapeno pepper, cinnamon bark, and fennel.

- Fat breakdown—Some herbs and spices are particularly good at enhancing our body's ability to digest and breakdown foods (and fat) including like tangerine peel, hawthorne berry, and barley.

Fat-Burning Cocktails

Caliente Caipirina

From The Conservatory Grill at Montage Beverly Hills

1/2 oz Cabana Cachaca

1/4 oz Fresh lime juice

2 sprigs Fresh cilantro

1/4 De-seeded fresh jalapeno

Fresh watermelon

Blend all ingredients. Serve tall w/a flag of watermelon, cilantro and jalapeno

Fire and Ice 14

Infuse Vodka 14 with multi-colored Thai hot peppers by placing the peppers directly in the bottle (or by mixing the peppers and vodka in a sealed infusion jar) and allowing it to steep at room temperature for 3-5 days, imparting a fiery pepper essence. Shake 3 ounces of the infused Vodka 14 on ice with fresh mint leaves. Strain into a chilled martini glass and serve with a peppermint candy swizzle.

6. Fight a Hangover Mixers

Hangovers are caused from liver toxicity due to an overwhelming amount of alcohol and your liver?s inability to process it out. Cut your chances of being bedded by a hangover by infusing your drinks with herbs that focus on digestion and the detoxification of the liver. A few known liver miracle workers include:

- Fennel is considered to be a restorative herb that helps reinvigorate the liver, improving its ability to process out toxins.

- Ginger is known as an instant stomach soother, easing stomach aches and nausea. It is especially popular in England after a night out at pubs.

- Carrot has a natural cleansing and detoxifying ability. In general, foods high in vitamins (particularly Vitamin B) help detox the body, clearing out lingering alcohol from the body.

Hangover Fighting Cocktail

Ginger Lime Drop

Created by Melodie Buell of Organic Nation Spirits

1/4 teaspoon Fresh

Grated Ginger

Pea size drop Agave Syrup

1 TBS Lime Juice

2oz Organic Nation Vodka

Shake with Ice. Serve up. Garnish with a Lime wheel.

7. Detoxifying Nightcap Cocktail

Wheatgrass is a natural detoxifier. It is said to cleanse the body's blood and water and is therefore a terrific antidote to alcohol's subsequent hangover. For a quick detox perfect for "last call," drink a wheatgrass-infused cocktail. Then first thing in the morning have another glass of the green stuff (minus the alcohol) to help further detox, hydrate, and energize your cells.

Wheatgrass Nightcap

Spring Breeze

5 Parts Honey Wheatgrass Tea from GotWheatGrass

2 Parts Pineapple Juice

1 Part Jamaican Rum

Fill tall glass with crushed iced. Pour in honey wheatgrass tea, pineapple juice and Jamaican Rum. Stir. Garnish with pineapple chunk.

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