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When you open the pages of any lifestyle magazine these days, you’ll likely find an article on ways to enjoy “guilt free” or “low-calorie” cocktails. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad thing. Besides, I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of drinking vodka sodas.
Some people (including myself) believe drinking cocktails made with ingredients like fresh fruit and vegetables is a healthier option over the typical sugary mixer. Lucky for us, mixologists across the nation are incorporating our recommended daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables into cocktails.
But we shouldn’t get too excited for tomorrow’s happy hour. There are differing opinions as to whether the calories from liquor and healthy juice mixers in cocktails cancel out the nutritional benefits. Although some say it it’s “detox while you retox”. Anything is good in moderation.
So, whether or not you think healthy cocktails are a growing trend, here are four insights for the next big salad cocktail:
1. Juicetails are a thing
Juicing is often associated with drinks for weight loss and detox. Juicetails are cocktails mixed with super healthy juices and by the looks of it this trend of using juice-based cocktails isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
2. Use fresh and local ingredients
From kale and beet juice to celery bitters and pumpkin puree to blueberries, some of today’s cocktail ingredient read more like the makings for a fall soup rather than a cocktail. In addition to using local spirits, many mixologists are extending the trend cooking in restaurants with farm-to-table movement and taking it to the bar by using locally grown produce, which adds to the fresh seasonality in cocktails.
3. Vegetable-based infused spirits
Adding flavors to spirits isn’t anything new. From vodka and whisky to gin and sake just about any spirit can be infused with practically anything. Creative infusions include leafy greens, mushrooms, peas, avocados and spicy peppers, which still allows you to get your buzz and veggie fix.
4. Millennials will likely try it
According to Technomic, a food service research firm, when it comes to adult beverage trends, Millennials are the generation most likely to try a new beverage. They’re always on the lookout for the “next big thing.” Millennials are also curious and health conscious, which makes them the perfect audience for healthy cocktails.
Healthy cocktails are a great way to spice up a bar menu with fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables that will please finicky Millennials. It also gives regulars a break from the typical vodka soda.
For more information about our Food, Beverage and Nutrition practice, click here.