Mocktail of the Month – ACV Maple Martini
Are you like me? As I live this Whole Food, Plant-Based lifestyle, I look at other aspects of my life and how they impact my health. For example, alcohol. Empty calories, poor food and dietary decisions, etc. are just some of the negative aspects of drinking alcohol. I’m not judging…trust me!
Anyways, I am taking January off from drinking. Dry January, so they call it. But it won’t stop in January. As part of my overall health plan for 2020, I am going to significantly reduce my alcohol consumption.
But we are creatures of habit. It feels odd to end my workday without a beer, cocktail, or glass of wine. So my wife and I have been making mocktails (a cocktail without alcohol), experimenting like chemists trying to mix the perfect drink that can take the place of our “typical” drink of choice.
I came up with this concoction with memories of cold winters and the holiday season in Vermont. After tinkering with the ratios, I think I’ve perfected it!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
- 1 Tablespoon of Pure Maple Syrup
- 4 ounces of Mineral Water
- Dash of Ground Nutmeg
- Dash of Ground Ginger
- Rosemary Sprig for Garnishing
Directions
In a cocktail shaker, add four or five ice cubes, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, nutmeg, and the ginger. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds or so. Using a strainer (my cocktail shaker has a wide strainer at top which I like so the nutmeg and ginger are not strained out of the cocktail), pour the contents into the martini glass. Add the mineral water and garnish with the sprig of rosemary.
You can make it more or less sweet by adjusting the amount of maple syrup or adding a little more mineral water. Honestly, after enough attempts, I really enjoy the ratios of ingredients as listed in the recipe. Not overly strong or sweet, slightly warming with the nutmeg and ginger…overall, it tastes and feels like an adult drink.
I will be posting at least one Mocktail of the Month this year. If you have any suggestions or questions, please leave them below.
Cheers!
Stephen