The Rise Of Medicinal Mixology: Cocktails That Treat 5 Symptoms
"We're serving cocktails that allow the well-heeled crowd to ingest medicinal ingredients in ways they like," says mixologist Neal Bodenheimer, co-owner of the aptly named Cure in New Orleans. A 2010 University of Texas study showed that one to two drinks a day could increase longevity, and infusing them with curative ingredients can improve immunity and alleviate many ailments, says Jim White, R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Ready to retire the hot toddy?
1. Beat a cold
The Drink: Farmer's Daughter from Teardrop Cocktail Lounge, Portland, Ore.
The Cure: Goldenseal extract, which Native Americans used to treat digestive ailments and skin problems, has anti-inflammatory properties that may improve immunity and digestive function and help curb cold symptoms.
The Ingredients
1 ounce Banks 5 Island Rum
3/4 ounce Plymouth Gin
1 teaspoon Luxardo Maraschino Originale Liqueur
1 teaspoon cane-sugar syrup
6 to 8 drops Herb Pharm Goldenseal Extract
Combine ingredients in a rocks glass over ice and stir for 30 seconds. Garnish with grapefruit zest.
2. Lower blood pressure
The Drink: Sur la Mer from Pour Vous, Los Angeles
The Cure: This reimagined daiquiri contains E3Live algae, which may reduce blood pressure and promote energy, focus, and immunity.
The Ingredients
1 pinch of Lime Fresco salt
1/4 ounce algae thawed at room temperature (try E3Live)
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
3/4 ounce evaporated cane syrup
2 ounces Plantation 3 Stars Rum
Combine ingredients in a shaker and add ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime twist.
3. Fight the flu
The Drink: The End Is Nigh from Cure, New Orleans
The Cure: While Varnelli Amaro Sibilla is no longer used as an antimalarial drug, its high concentrations of gentian, a bitter herb, and quinine, an alkaloid found naturally in cinchona-tree bark, may still reduce fever, curb pain, and ease digestion.
The Ingredients
11/2 ounces Rittenhouse bonded rye
1 ounce Bonal Gentiane-Quina aperitif wine
1/4 ounce Varnelli Amaro Sibilla
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Stir 40 revolutions and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
4. Avoid impotence
The Drink: Johnny Utah from Polite Provisions, San Diego, Calif.
The Cure: The tiny celery seeds in this paloma-like drink reportedly improve erectile function, and they've been shown to possibly decrease cholesterol and blood pressure in animal studies.
The Ingredients
2 ounces Olmeca Altos Tequila Blanco
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
3/4 ounce celery-seed syrup (Boil 2 cups water. Remove from heat and add 2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup celery seeds. Allow to cool and strain.)
1 dash of Scrappy's Celery Bitters
1 pinch of salt
1 ounce soda water
Combine ingredients and shake well. Strain into a double-old-fashioned glass over ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime wedge.
5. Relieve stress
The Drink: Bees Knees from Apothèke, New York City
The Cure: With a generous supply of amino acids, essential fatty acids, and vitamins, the bee pollen in this drink may suppress your appetite, increase your energy, and help you decompress.
The Ingredients
2 ounces Aylesbury Duck Vodka
2 dashes of Green Hour Immunity Tincture
1/2 teaspoon bee pollen
1 ounce pink-guava juice
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and add ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of guava and a pinch of bee pollen.
—K. Aleisha Fetters, Details
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