The health benefits of cocktails

Yes. You read that right: you can drink to and for your health with a cocktail! While alcohol has its downsides, if you choose wisely, your next cocktail may boost your well-being.

Shaken or stirred, you wouldn’t normally associate cocktails with being hale and hearty. A hangover, possibly, but good health isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you see a bartender swinging those mixers. Maybe you should reconsider.

But before that, consider stopping at Lacuna Bar at The Maslow Sandton. We recommend ending  a long day by enjoying some of our signature cocktails; Blue Lacuna, Porn Star Martini, or Purple Rain. If these aren't to your taste, try a healthier option like the Cucumber & Rosemary G&T.

Magic Mixers

Mixers are often the number-one culprit when it comes to enlarging your waistline. But the right one can be good for you. Tonic water, for example, contains malaria-fighting quinine. In fact, that gin and tonic (G&T) you crave on a sweltering day is a British army invention devised to encourage troops to take their meds during the Indian conquest in the 1600s. They made the bitter tonic more palatable by adding citrus fruits and other botanicals.

Another good mixer ingredient is ginger, known for its anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a good source of vitamins A, C, E, and B, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, and calcium. 

Try This: Cranberry and Thyme G&T, made with fresh cranberry juice and a sprig of thyme, is a must-have.

Better Bitters

Bitters are alcoholic flavouring agents made from seeds, herbs, roots, and flowers. They’re used to spice up a cocktail. Many well-known brands, such as Angostura Bitters, were coveted for their medicinal properties – so the belief that bitters are beneficial for your health is not far-fetched. Bitters can help with digestion, curb sugar cravings, boost your immune system and even ease stress.

Try This: A Woodford Ol’ Fashioned, with Woodford Reserve bourbon, cola syrup, Disaronno liqueur, and aromatic bitters.

Cola, not your speed? Go for a Monkey Sours, a vanilla-based take on the classic Whiskey Sours. We make it with Monkey Shoulder bourbon, vanilla syrup, fresh lemon juice, and cellulose, topped off with aromatic bitters.

A side of salad

What’s a “gin salad”? The herbs, berries, and spices like nutmeg and lemongrass added to many gin-based cocktails have many health benefits. For example, the sprig of rosemary used in a G&T is a good source of iron, calcium, and vitamin B6. The herb also helps alleviate muscle pain, improve memory, and boost the immune system. To reap the full benefits, ask your barman to lightly crush a sprig before putting it in your drink.

Fresh fruit and citrus peels are also great cocktail additions. They’re rich in polyphenols, full of antioxidants, and have potential health benefits. One tablespoon (6g) of orange peel provides 14% of your daily value of vitamin C — nearly three times more than the flesh of a single fruit!

Try This: A Traffic Relief; made with Absolut vodka, berry syrup, fresh lime juice, and mint from The Maslow’s organic herb garden.

Cocktails may have health benefits, but be sure to choose wisely. Mixed drinks that use fresh fruit and herbs and don’t contain added sugar are the way to go. Drink a glass of water in-between cocktails to avoid dehydration and that dreaded hangover. 

Now that you've had a chance to read about the health benefits of cocktails. You should take the time to test this for yourself at Lacuna Bar and pair your drinks with the best sushi in Sandton at Lacuna Bistro.