Friday, July 2, 2010

Cucumber Ginger Green Tea Sangria--A Healthy "Mocktail" & Simple Saturday Sipper

This week's Simple Saturday Sipper is Cucumber Ginger Green Tea Sangria, a quick and easy "mocktail" recipe from the current issue of Clean Eating magazine that is perfect for summer, and contains some of my favorite flavors and ingredients. It might not be red, white & blue but if you need a refreshing drink for your picnic or barbecue, this is a good one and a good, natural to a sugary soda or bottled green tea drink.


Cucumber Ginger Green Tea Sangria
Chef Adam Goetz for Clean Eating July/August 2010
(Makes about 4 cups)

I an blender, combine 1 chopped seedless cucumber, 2 cups water, 2/3 cups raw honey, 1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger, and 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice with 3 cups brewed, cooled green tea. Puree until smooth and pass through a fine mesh strainer. Pour liquid into a tumbler with ice and garnish with a cucumber stick.

Health Note: Green tea, rich in catechin polyphenols, helps you digest fat, while its caffeine may boost your metabolism.


Notes/Results: Refreshing and really tasty--a good combination of flavors. The tea I used was a green citrus tea, which added additional citrus flavor. I reduced the amount of honey to 1/3 cup and also used a bit more ginger than the recipe called for, but the cucumber flavor still came through nicely and it was plenty sweet for me. Although a "mocktail"--this would be a good drink base too. A pitcher of this, mixed with a bit of vodka or rum, or even a crisp white wine, would be nice for a party on a warm summers night. I will make this again.

Happy Saturday & July 4th weekend!

12 comments:

  1. I've been really loving ginger-based drinks lately! Definitely a favorite spice. This sounds so refreshing.

    Have a great 4th!

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  2. I like the idea of using this refreshing blend as a base. I imagine it would be terrific with sparkling water or white wine as you suggested. I hope you have a great 4th!

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  3. This looks really refreshing and it's a bit out of the ordinary. I like that. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. That sounds very refreshing...I love ginger anytime!

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  5. Do you know how many of your Saturday sippers I have bookmarked? Me neither. But it's a lot!

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  6. So many refreshing flavors there, must be a kicker! Hope you're enjoying the holiday weekend!

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  7. This looks amazing and I absolutely love your photo. Since moving back to the States and trying one of those bottled green tea drinks, I was really disappointed! It was WAY too sugary--after living in Japan for 8 years I was used to green tea in its natural unsweetened form. I will have to try this with the lesser amount of honey that you recommended.

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  8. I was looking for a refreshing sangria recipe to celebrate the holiday. Thanks!

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  9. This is a perfect drink for all this hot weather we're having on a east coast. I love the refreshing combinations in this one.

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  10. I made this for a Ladies Night Out Tasting Party in the month of July. Even though I had wine, Margaritas, and lemon/cucumber water, THIS was the drink of choice for the evening. It paired well with the natural foods we were tasting. I wish I would have made a triple batch! I will make this again for the family.

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  11. I made this for a Ladies Night Out Tasting Party in the month of July. Even though I had wine, Margaritas, and lemon/cucumber water, THIS was the drink of choice for the evening. It paired well with the natural foods we were tasting. I wish I would have made a triple batch! I will make this again for the family.

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