How to Drink Your Way to a Healthier 2014 with New York's Best Veggie Cocktails
So full disclaimer: Drink NYC is not staffed with a bunch of doctors. We probably consume way more alcohol that is recommended to get all those health benefits. Which, we think, makes our health advice pretty great since nobody has gotten scurvy (thank you lemon garnishes!). So feel good about your attempts at losing ten pounds this year, and toast to it!
Real advice from real drinkers? Keep the cocktails simple—those mixers are big on calories, straight vodka and even whiskey are not. And soda water over tonic water if that's a choice.
When it comes to beer, porters tend to be the highest in calories. And for wine, unsurprisingly, that title goes to ports. A white tends to be the lowest calorie bet: think Zinfandels and Chardonnay.
And just in time for Slim Down 2014, here are some cocktails packed with veggies so at least you're getting so vitamins while you drink:
Resolution
Thistle Hill Tavern (441 7th Ave., Brooklyn, 347-599-1262)
The name says it all. Brokers gin, pear, celery and lime juice makes it refreshing and a few drops of beet juice on top make it basically like drinking a pressed juice—amiright?
Butternut Rum Toddy
Center Bar (10 Columbus Circle; 212-823-9482)
So, a floating pat of butter in your cocktail is not on the menu? Instead of the butter, this drink with Ron Zacapa rum, butternut squash, simple syrup and orange bitters take the Buttered Rum Toddy to New Years Resolution-approved specifications.
The Illgato
Huckleberry Bar (588 Grand Street, Brooklyn; 718-218-8555)
Powerful gin (more bang for the calorie buck!), lime juice and smoked bell pepper syrup makes this a powerful drink that's guiltless.
Zen Martini
Delicatessen (54 Prince St.; 212-226-0211)
"International comfort food" is not a recipe for a healthy 2014, but the Zen Martini with lime, mint, cucumber and Crop cucumber vodka is something you can feel good about consuming.
The John Dory Oyster Shooter
The John Dory Oyster Bar (1196 Broadway; 212-792-9000)
Oysters, celery, pickled pepper juice and gin. Goes down easy and while it isn't like running a mile, it's way more fun.
Photo: Flickr user Stiftelsen Elektronikkbransjen
