‘Tis the season…

It’s honestly so rare that I drink, but this time of year with all of the parties and get togethers, well, it’s just nice to kick back and enjoy a drink.  Or two.  Or three.  But with that said, I’m not going to do it haphazardly, and hope for the best outcome for the next day or week.  So like with everything I put in my body, I spent some time researching, and also by trial and error, I’ve figure out what is the most Paleo, what is the “cleanest” alcohol, and what my body can digest the easiest.  Being half Japanese I’m missing an enzyme that allows me to digest alcohol (do I have a picky body or what?!) so of course I’m ultra sensitive.  Anyway, these low sugar, low carb, gluten free drinks have become my drink of choice when I do have something.

On the list below,  I am including red wine because it has many health benefits, including high levels of antioxidants, particularly reservatrol, but unfortunately for me, I can no longer digest this at all, which is such a shame.  Oh and all of the drinks listed are or should be really good quality.

1. Vodka (Get one made from grapes, or potatoes. Make sure it’s not wheat or rye based. I really like Ciroc which is distilled purely from grapes.)

2. Bards Gluten Free Beer (Whole Foods)

3.  Gin

4. Red wine

5. Tequila ( I don’t care for it but know it’s suppose to Paleo cheat approved, if that even makes sense)

Here’s the Vodka I mention distilled by grapes.  By the way, I’ll give you a $1 if you can find me in the vodka picture below. And no, I’m not lying on the floor from drinking all of this stuff. 

Here are a few drinks I like to make:

 

The Big Easy

• 1 part vodka
• 1 part soda water
• Spash of Trader Joe’s low cal lemonade (it is sweetened with stevia)
• Lime juice and blueberries

Beach (or holiday) Drink

• 2 part fresh grapefruit
• 2 part vodka
• 1 part St. Germain (see below)
• 1 part lime
• Splash of soda water

St. Germain is a great little sweetner when added to any drink from vodka to champagne. It’s made in France from handpicked Elderflower blossoms. Doesn’t that just sound lovely? Look at the bottle….how can it not be?

Now, this next drink I got from 30daysofpaleo blog and it’s great if you need to make something for a group. It serves 8-12.

 

 

In a 2 1/2- to 3-quart pitcher, combine mint sprigs, rosemary sprigs, and honey (if using).  With a long-handled wooden spoon, muddle  the herbs and honey together.  Squeeze juice from oranges into pitcher, then drop quarters in.  Press a few times with spoon to release oil from orange peels. Stir in vodka, lime juice.  Cover and chill up to 4 hours.  To serve, slowly pour chilled soda water into the pitcher, down the side.  Stir gently to blend.  Pour through a strainer into chilled martini glasses or ice-filled glasses.  Float a mint leaf on top of each.  Serve at once.

Note:  Crushed mint turns dark after about 20 minutes.  If you’d like to make this drink up to 4 hours ahead, strain the mixture just before your guests arrive, return it to the pitcher, then add a handful of fresh mint leaves

 

 

Robb Wolf, writer of The Paleo Solution, has a great margarita he calls the NorCal Margarita. Here’s how you make it:

• 100% agave tequila
• Juice and pulp from 1 lime
• Soda water
• Ice

FOR ALL DRINKS

Lastly, always try to include a lime or lemon in your drinks and here’s why:

1.  Lime juice blunts the insulin response of the alcohol, maintaining your precious and hard-earned insulin sensitivity.

2.  The lime juice also provides a net alkaline load when it enters the blood stream, which is a very good thing.  Many other foods provide a net acid load, it’s important to balance that out.