It's "Tasty Tuesday", where every week we bring you new, fresh, local, healthy recipes and food tips. Find out what is in season, and what will keep you fuelled during and after your work outs!
I really wanted to multi-task this week and come up with a party-season-is-upon-us type drink, but keep it healthy, and think of something that could also be a holiday gift...enter the Spärkel - a sparkling water system!
This is a Canadian owned/based company (Toronto), and you can get the machines online and shipped for free. The system uses a carbonator mix instead of a CO2 tank, and you can infuse all kinds of fruits (and veg) directly into the water.
For todays recipes, I've made a sparkling green tea that's great anytime, and much better than sugary sodas, a spicy punch that is great for the holidays and anyone of any age (alcohol-free or not), and a tart and pretty sugar-free cocktail that you can use for parties!
If your goal for the new year is to drink less sugary beverages, this is an awesome idea, and can also help get your fruit intake up!
I'm doing a giveaway on my instagram - click the link to find out how to win while telling me what you would put in your Spärkel, and you could win a machine of your own, just in time for the holidays!
AND! I have a PROMO CODE for you if you just want one ASAP! - Use CM20 at the checkout!
Make Your Meal Even Healthier Tip:
Most of these drinks eliminate or drastically reduce the amount of sugar you'll find in most cocktails. And you can go booze-free on all of them too if you'd prefer. Aim for organic juices where needed, and ones with no added sugar as most of the flavours can stand on their own!
Click through for recipes!...
Spicy-Citrus Holiday Punch
This punch has the added kick of some spicy simply syrup. The ratio compared to the juice means each drink will have very little sugar in it. If you're adding alcohol, a spiced rum will do the trick!
This recipe will make you a large amount of punch (about a litre and a half), and you can sparkle it in batches in the Spärkel machine, this lets you make it ahead of time and chill it properly. Add the optional alcohol afterwards to cater to individuals and yourself!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 litre of organic pineapple juice
- 1 cup of organic orange juice
- juice of 2 lemons
- juice of 1 lime
- 2/3 cup of cane sugar
- 5 sticks of cinnamon (more for garnish)
- 1 tsp of whole cloves
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a saucepan, place the sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves and then add 1.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then a simmer. Cover and let steep for approx 20 mins. then remove from heat and let cool to room temp.
In the meantime, in a jug, add the pineapple juice, orange juice, and then the juice the lemon and limes, straining pulp.
Once the syrup is cool, strain out the cinnamon and cloves and add to the punch.
Place in the fridge until chilled fully.
Fill the Spärkel bottle with the punch to the marker, and bubble away (I used setting #5 on this because it was all juice!).
Serve on ice in a punch glass, with an optional cinnamon stick for garnish!
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Sparkling Sour Cherry Green Tea
I love making sparkling iced teas. I have a few favourites from the loose leaf tea shop Silk Road, but the one I make the most is from their Sour Cherry Green Tea.
It's super simple, and has so much flavour in it that the bubbles are just the fun kick.
Bonus, if you're not drinking alcohol, but want to join in the festive bubbly glasses, it is about the same colour as sparkling wine!
INGREDIENTS:
- Sour Cherry Green Tea (or other flavoured green tea)
- Lime, for optional garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
Brew a pot of Green Tea (be sure not to burn the leaves!), let it cool to room temp, and then pour into the Spärkel container and place into the fridge until it is completely chilled.
Sparkle the tea (I used setting #2), and serve in a champagne glass, with a optional lime garnish.
Cheers!
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Grapefruit, Ginger, and Basil Wine Spritzer
This one doesn't need any sugar either as wine has enough (though I prefer dry whites) and the basil-grapefruit combo is nice and tart. It's something different, and look how pretty it is!
INGREDIENTS:
- juice from two grapefruits
- 1 thumb sized piece of ginger, sliced
- several sprigs of basil (and more for garnish)
- white wine
- 3 ice cubes
INSTRUCTIONS:
Juice and strain the grapefruits to remove pulp and add to the Spärkel container. Add the basil and the ginger, as well as the ice cubes, and then fill to the line with white wine (make sure it's cold).
Place in the fridge until fully chilled, and then sparkle it (I used setting #4 for this one).
Serve in a wine glass with basil for garnish!
CHEERS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
If you have any questions about the Spärkel system - check out their website.
And don't forget to enter the contest, or use the promo code CM20 when you check out!
Let us know if you make this recipe by posting it on instagram or twitter and using the #LiveBarreLife hashtag! And if there are any specific meals, fruits, veggies, or meats, you'd like to see on the blog!
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photos and recipe by: Christine McAvoy
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