Beneficial drinks, tasty and healthy, aren't restricted to healthy smoothies, although I appreciate that almost any fruit and many veggies can be snuck into those blended charms and they still taste excellent. Powerhouse drinks reach beyond blender-whirled concoctions. There are limitless combinations of nutrient-packed components that can contribute to a healthy drink.
The chefs at America's Test Kitchen put their heads together and attempted a variety of strategies to ideal dishes that are easy to prepare, producing libations that display vegetables and fruits. "The Complete Guide to Healthy Drinks" (America's Test Kitchen, $27.99) is filled with beverages that showcase a huge variety of textures and flavors. They compete that making them from scratch uses more control over active ingredients options and at the same time reduces expenses.
Yes, some of these thirst-quenchers are healthy smoothies, but others are juice combos, teas, kombuchas, infused waters and broths. Strawberry-Mint Soda is made by making syrups with water, sugar and either mint leaves or strawberries and then integrating that with seltzer.
By matching and mixing soda syrups, custom-made blends can be developed to please anyone's craving for sweets. The currently sweetened herb and berry syrups integrate with seltzer to develop a vibrant beverage that tastes like shimmering, cool strawberry. As soon as the components remain in the glass, it is very important to stir the beverage carefully, to prevent knocking out all the bubbles.
Yield: One serving, plus leftover soda syrups.
Cook's notes: The following dishes for syrups each make about 16 servings. They rely on sugar for sweetness, the quantity of sugar is small compared to numerous bottled beverages.
Herb Syrup with Mint: 3/4 cup sugar, 2/3 cup water, 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves.
Berry Syrup with Strawberries: 3/4 cup sugar, 2/3 cup water, 1/2 cup mashed strawberries.
Drink:.
1 cup seltzer.
2 teaspoons Herb Syrup with Mint.
2 teaspoons Berry Syrup with Strawberries.
Optional garnish: 2 cut in half fresh strawberries, little sprig of fresh mint.
Cook's notes: If you don't have seltzer, you can substitute soda or carbonated water.
DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare Herb Syrup with Mint: In a little saucepan combine sugar and water. Eliminate from heat and add mint.
2. Prepare Berry Syrup with Strawberries: In a small pan integrate sugar and water. Get rid of from heat and include strawberries.
If utilizing, position one or 2 halved strawberries in an ice-filled glass. Include seltzer, 2 teaspoons Herb Syrup with Mint, and 2 teaspoons Berry Syrup with Strawberries. If using, include a small sprig of fresh mint to the top.
Orange Creamsicle Smoothies are made with by blending an orange, a banana and a carrot in a mixer.
In this smoothie variation the concoction is boosted with nourishing components. A banana and plain yogurt include a velvety texture.
Cook's notes: Instead of one orange, you can substitute 2 clementines or 1 blood orange if preferred.
Yield: 2 portions.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup ice.
1 orange, peeled, quartered.
1 ripe banana, peeled, halved crosswise.
1 big carrot, peeled, shredded.
3/4 cup plain dairy yogurt or plant-based yogurt.
1/4 cup water, plus additional if required.
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
DIRECTIONS
1. Adjust consistency with extra water if required.
Source: "The Complete Guide to Healthy Drinks" from America's Test Kitchen ($ 27.99).
A Super Acai Smoothie is made with frozen acai puree, pomegranate, cauliflower and banana juice. (Courtesy of America's Test Kitchen).
Super Acai Smoothie
Acai berries, filled with vitamins and antioxidants, are among the most talked-about superfoods. In this shake they include an intense berry flavor edged with a lively tart character.
Frozen acai puree is offered in health food stores and lots of supermarkets, along with online. Running the frozen plan under warm water for 30 seconds makes it simpler to get rid of from the product packaging.
Yield: 2 servings.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
1 cup ice.
1 (3.5-ounce) plan frozen acai puree.
6 ounces cauliflower florets, however into 1-inch pieces (2 cups).
1 ripe banana, halved crosswise.
1 cup pomegranate juice.
Water, if needed.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In order listed, include all active ingredients to blender and procedure on low speed till mix is combined however still coarse in texture, about 10 seconds, scraping downs sides of blender container as required. Gradually increase speed to high and procedure up until totally smooth, about 90 seconds. Change consistency with water if needed. Serve.
Source: "The Complete Guide to Healthy Drinks" from America's Test Kitchen ($ 27.99).
America's Test Kitchen published "The Complete Guide to Healthy Drinks: Powerhouse Ingredients, Endless Combinations" in December 2022. (Courtesy of America's Test Kitchen).
Cucumber Water with Lemon and Mint
In my noggin I can hear my primary doc's voice repeating his plea-- consume more water. Here is a dish for instilled water that makes that required a satisfaction. Cucumber, lemon, and mint combine to make this delicious, revitalizing water "mixed drink." Any type of cucumber will operate in this recipe. For variety, rather of lemon and mint, add one slice of lime and 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger to the infusion in step one.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
8 cups water, divided usage.
12 ounces cucumber, thinly sliced, divided use.
1/2 thinly chopped lemon.
3/4 cup fresh mint leaves.
For serving: ice.
DIRECTIONS
1. Integrate 1 cup water and three-quarters of the cucumbers in an 8-cup liquid determining cup or big bowl. Add half lemon slices and mint leaves. With a potato masher or muddler, muddle until broken down and all juice is expressed, about 30 seconds. Add enough water to make 4 cups, about 3 cups. Cover and refrigerate up until flavors meld and mix is cooled, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Strain into a pitcher using a fine sieve, continuing solids to draw out as much juice as possible. Dispose of solids. Stir in the remaining 4 cups of water. Add booked cucumber. Water can be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 day. Serve in ice-filled glasses.
Source: "The Complete Guide to Healthy Drinks" from America's Test Kitchen ($ 27.99).
Cooking question? Contact Cathy Thomas at cathythomascooks@gmail.com.
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