5 Days of Holiday gifts…Gift 1: Medicinal drinking

Gift idea #1: Strongwater bitters and shrubs

I will be honest, I am very impartial to Colorado products. There is just a love of wholesome simplicity, and a belief that being healthy comes with a foundation of enjoying life.  I chose this company because their philosophy is “Enjoy life to the fullest and play as hard as you work.” It is important to be as amazing as you can each and every day, and never settle for the mundane.

Based in the Rocky Mountains, their founders include outdoor athletes, a sommelier, chemist, and a herbalist, who combined their knowledge and passion to create some of the most unique cocktail products on the market. With traditional apothecary processes, and a modern twist on healing plants and botanicals, your holiday cocktails will become something truly memorable. How amazing to receive health and medicinal benefits, while you get a little buzz off that alcohol…

Check out their website (sipstrongwater.com), and you will see the amazing ingredients and flavors utilized to enhance things you already have in your liquor cabinet. For example, Chocolate-Vanilla Bitters is made with Cacao Nib, Vanilla bean, and milk thistle. This concoction has natural benefits including a boost of antioxidants, libido (maybe not a gift for grandma), and lowers blood pressure. Pairings include: Bourbon, Champagne, Vodka, and Tequila. That is only the beginning; with other bitters flavors including Spicy Lemon-Ginger, Aromatic Turmeric, Wildflower, and Orange-Licorice.

I drink apple cider vinegar every day for it’s health benefits, so when I first found this next product, I bought every one on the shelf.  It is their Strongwater Shrub, which is a sipping vinegar.  The term “shrubs” originated in colonial times as a method of preserving fruit during the winter months. It consists of an organic apple cider vinegar base, infused with organic fruit, herbs, and honey.  With the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, along with the added ingredients, this daily health tonic was created to be a “cure all,” and to be “used to heal ailments and increase vitality.” With flavors such as Persimmon & Lavender, Peach & Rose, Blueberry & Mint, Cherry & Thyme, and Ginger & Pear, you will find something for everyone.

Also check out www.sipstrongwater.com/pages/recipes for ideas for cocktails or mocktails. These products also pair really well with soda water, and kombucha! Bitters starts at $19.99, and shrubs is priced at 24.99 for an 8.5oz bottle.

If you are looking for a stocking stuffer or something to spice up your holiday party, I highly suggest these amazing and unique spirits and botanicals. Finding any way to make the holidays a little more healthy is difficult to do, but products like these definitely make it a little more realistic.

Strong mind. Strong heart. Strong body.

Val

Holiday Sangria (with some of my added favorites)

I cringe a little at the thought of all the sugar in cocktails, along with the lack of nutritional value in each and every sip (not to mention the possible hangover in the morning…which thanks to living at 6,000 feet, happens pretty easily for me). However, there is something to say about holding that beautiful drink in your hand, and laughing and enjoying time with the ones you love.  Therefore, when I know I need to let go of my worries and just indulge, I look for recipes that provide some nutritional value.

I like this recipe because it is not only pretty to look at, this cocktail also includes some of my favorite ingredients. With the added apple cider vinegar (detox, digestion, antibacterial), and Kombucha (probiotic, detox), in a way you are helping your body detox while getting a little intox…icated. I took a sangria recipe, and motified it to make it slightly more healthy…

Spiced Apple Cranberry Kombucha Sangria

  • 1 bottle of white wine
  • 3-4 apples, sliced or chopped (any variety)
  • 2 oranges, sliced into thick rounds
  • whole cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 cup pure cranberry juice with no added sugar (I also like to use tart cherry juice)
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup raw honey
  • 1-2 bottles of kombucha or sparkling water/soda

Combine all of the ingredients (minus the kombucha/sparking water) in a larger pitcher. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow it to sit several hours or overnight in the refigerator to allow the flavors to come together.

Serve in large glasses, adding some of the fruit to each glass. Top each with a generous pour of kombucha or sparkling water, and gentley mix. If you would like, garnish with an orange wedge.  Enjoy!

Wishing you a very joyful holiday season!!! Cheers to lots of health, happiness, and treating yourself well!! Now go spend time with people you love, and laugh…A LOT!!

Strong mind. Strong heart. Strong body.

Val