All posts filed under: Drinks

New Orleans French 75

Published by Jacqueline King

I made my first trip to New Orleans last weekend and had the pleasure of going to the renowned Arnaud’s Restaurant and French 75 Bar. Arnaud’s is one of New Orleans oldest and most beloved restaurants. It was built in 1918 by a French wine salesman Arnaud Cazenave, but some of the building dates back to the 1700s. It’s a sprawling, one-of-a-kind establishment with a grand dining room where waiters in tuxes serve up Creole delicacies (Souffle Potatoes! Alligator Sausage!), a Jazz Bistro with strolling musicians, a mini Mardi Gras Museum, private dining rooms overlooking Bourbon St., and reportedly a couple of resident ghosts. The highlight of our visit, however, was Arnaud’s French 75 Bar and Chris Hannah- quite possibly America’s coolest bartender. When we walked into the bar a woman who had perhaps had one too many milk punch was asking him “Hey aren’t you famous or something? I read about you somewhere…maybe TripAdvisor.” He just smiled and gave a non-committal nod. Upon researching for this post I found he could have said “Don’t …

Cucumber Chile Margarita

Published by Jacqueline King

Here is another delicious variation on a Margarita. To me it invokes boozy adventures during hot, dusty days in third world countries. I love the mixture of cooling cucumber with the kick of chili as an aftertaste. Muddle the cucumber slices with the cilantro, add pinches of salt and chile, the lime and the agave, then the tequila, shake and strain into a margarita glass. Finish with a dusting of Arbol chile powder to make it look pretty. This also works well in a pitcher. I just juice the cucumber and increase the volume of the other ingredients. Cheers! 3 slices of cucumber Small handful of fresh cilantro I pinch Arbol chile pepper I pinch of salt 2 oz Fortaleza Blanco Tequila 3/4 oz Agave 3/4 freshly juiced lime

Creamy Asian Pear, Ginger and Citrus Smoothie

Published by Jacqueline King

This is one of those happy accident recipes, where I just threw together what I had in the fridge and it turned out to be too delicious to not share. It’s creamy and sweet with the perfect little tang and spice. If Asian Pears are unavailable, try using another type of pear or sweet apple. This is a great morning smoothie with a nourishing dose or protein, healthy fats, vitamins and anti-oxidants. Apple cider vinegar, ginger and lemon are all energizing and give your digestive system a nice little kickstart. It’s an especially satisfying smoothie for those who, for whatever reason, are avoiding bananas or want something a little out of the ordinary. Enjoy! xJacq Ingredients: 1-2 servings 1 Orange 1/2 Asian pear 3/4 inch chunk of Ginger, peeled 1/2 Avocado 1/4 cup Cashew Nuts, soaked* 3 medium Kale Leaves 2 Romaine Lettuce leaves 1/2 cup Orange Juice 1/2 cup Almond Milk 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar 1 large Lemon wedge, juice only Peel and break the orange up into wedges. If you are using …

The Joy of a Juice Cleanse! Yes, really.

Published by Jacqueline King

I haven’t posted any recipes for a while because I was doing a juice cleanse ahead of a trip to Europe. I figured it would be good preparation before the culinary and bacchanalian adventures to come. I know there is some controversy about the benefits of fasting, but the practice has been around about as long as man and virtually every religion recommends some kind of fasting or ritual which helps the body to heal and regenerate. This historical precedence is not, however, why I fast a couple of  times a year. I do it because of how it makes me feel. I’m not saying it’s always easy but I do genuinely enjoy focusing on my health by juicing for a week. It makes me feel cleaner, lighter and energized. And sure, the fact that I look better after a cleanse doesn’t hurt either. Clearer skin, brighter eyes and few lost pounds  are all pleasant side effects. I’ve tried the famous Master Cleanse before, but subsisting on lemon juice, cayenne pepper and maple syrup felt …

Feel Good Blended Iced Mocha-Vanilla

Published by Jacqueline King

Before I started to focus more on healthy eating I was addicted to a certain national coffee chain’s blended iced mocha drinks. It was pretty much a daily ritual. I decided to quit cold turkey when I did my yoga training several years ago which left me feeling pretty bad and groggy the first couple of days, but when you’re doing yoga all day you won’t feel miserable for long, so it certainly could have been worse. After training I decided that if my worst vice was morning coffee I was doing Ok, so I switched to a simple homemade brew with almond milk, which was great and definitely has a lot less crap in it than those blended drinks. Sometimes though… I still wanted my old fix. Which is why I’m so excited about my new mocha-vanilla ice-blended recipe made with only natural whole food ingredients. Did you know cacao has a higher anti-oxidant rating than blueberries and coffee is the number 1 anti-oxidant source in the American diet? This is mainly because americans in …

Strawberry Rose Cashew Milk

Published by Jacqueline King

I found fresh local strawberries at the market for the first time this year and was inspired to come up with this gorgeous, grown up version of strawberry milk. This is nothing like the powdered, bunny labeled version of your youth. The flavors are beautifully delicate and so satisfying. It reminds me of an English garden in springtime, and what could be better than that? Cashews are a good source of protein, fiber and antioxidants and rosewater is anti-inflammatory and a mood enhancer, so this delicious drink makes you feel both full and happy! Though lavender became a popular flavor with chefs in the US a few years back, rose is still a little less common. Rosewater is available, however, at many supermarkets, usually in the baking section near the vanilla extract or in the middle eastern food section. You can also find it online at Thrive Market.  I absolutely love the scent and flavor, but it is very concentrated so be careful to only add 1 drop at a time! If you don’t finish up the bottle …

Feel Good Green Smoothie

Published by Jacqueline King

This is my favorite green smoothie! It’s the perfect drink any morning, especially if you’re feeling run down. It’s also a great pick me up in the afternoon. You might be afraid to drink something this green, but I promise it’s super delicious, sweet and creamy. Best of all it’s packed with nutrients that make you feel great. The fruit and veggies are filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. You also get a good dose of healthy fats from the avocado and protein from the nuts. Leafy greens are some of the most nutritious foods on the planet. They are believed to do everything from lower the risk of certain cancers to help prevent signs of aging. It’s pretty much a good deed in a cup, so I guess you can check that off your list today. 😉 I like to sprinkle my smoothies with a little of the superfoods  maca powder and chia seeds before serving for extra nutrients and a little crunch, but it’s completely optional.  Enjoy! xJacq Ingredients: 2 servings 1/4 cup raw almonds, …

All Natural Homemade Sports Drink

Published by Jacqueline King

Most sports drinks are filled with sugar, food coloring and artificial chemicals, but It’s easy to make your own natural replenishing sports drink instead. Coconut water is high in potassium and electrolytes and super hydrating. Citrus is energizing and high in vitamin C. Chia seeds give you a little dose of healthy protein and fat and are high in antioxidants. Sea salt replenishes sodium lost through sweating and ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory. So just say no to drinking anything fluorescent-Your body will thank you! Ingredients: 2 Lemon 1 Orange 1 Lime 1 Tbs Maple Syrup 1 tsp Chia Seeds Water from 2 Coconuts or approximately 12 oz. bottled Coconut Water 1 inch chunk of fresh Ginger, thinly sliced (optional) Sea Salt Squeeze the juice from the citrus and pour into a 1 quart or liter bottle. Add the maple syrup, chia seeds, coconut water, ginger and a big pinch of sea salt then fill the bottle to the top with filtered water. Shake well, hydrate and enjoy!

Kale Tom Collins a.k.a. “The Balancing Act”

Published by Jacqueline King

This is my healthy, refreshing version of the classic cocktail, a Tom Collins, which is mentioned in the 1877 Bon Vivant’s Companion, by Jerry Thomas, the George Washington of American mixology.  I love it for it’s simple elegance, few drinks are as refreshing on a summer afternoon.  Quick history of the Tom Collins: A certain John Collins, a waiter at Limmer’s Old House in Hanover Square in London get’s his name attatched to a drink with lemon, sugar, soda and Holland gin. Later, someone had the bright idea to make it with Old Tom gin and switched the name accordingly. So there we have it, A Kale Tom Collins. -Cheers! Ingredients: 2 oz Gin  (preferably Hendrick’s) 1/2 oz each fresh squeezed Lemon, Kale and Green Apple Juice 1/4 – 1/2 oz pure Maple Syrup (depending on taste, I like 1/4 oz) Sparkling Mineral Water Combine the ingredients in a Collins glass 3/4 full of cracked ice.  Stir briefly, then top with club soda or sparkling mineral water.  Garnish with a lemon wheel with a small kale leaf …