I must confess I’m not a Sunday Brunch kind of gal — Sunday is the day I like to stay home, sleep in, and plan my week. Unless it’s a special occasion, my favorite Brunch day is Saturday. But with each passing week, I’m getting nostalgic over Brunch.

Tomorrow I’m planning on waking up a bit earlier than usual, to make some Ackee and Saltfish with provisions and a Brunch cocktail that will satisfy my craving for a deliciously sweet cocktail.

Won’t you join me for a fabulous cocktail?

If you’re in the mood for a bit of alcohol — try this:

Beet + Ginger Martini

Ingredients

1 Large cooked beet peeled and stemmed

2 Inches of fresh ginger washed and peeled

6 Ounces of gray goose vodka or your favorite (I’ve tried it with both Stoli and Kettle One — they were great).

3 Ounces of freshly-squeezed lime juice

3 Ounces of Ginger simple syrup (see recipe at the very end)

Lemon slices to garnish

Ice

Instructions

• Combine beet, fresh ginger, and one cup of water in a blender or bullet — blend until smooth. Strain liquid through a fine-meshed strainer. If the liquid is too thick, add more water.

To make two cocktails

Add 6 ounces of beets/ginger juice, 3 ounces of vodka, 1.5 ounces of ginger simple syrup, 1.5 ounces of lime juice to an ice shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and add a slice of lemon. ENJOY!!!

Tip

If you’d like to be a bit more creative or needs it a tab bit sweeter, add half of an apple. I love Fuji or Granny Smith.

How to make Simple Ginger Syrup

• Combine thinly sliced ginger, one cup of water, juice a lemon or lime, and add both the juice and fruit to a small pot.
• Cover the pot, bring the water to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Keep lid on pot.
• Strain the liquid through a fine-meshed strainer to remove the ginger and citrus. Place pot back on the stove over low heat, and add sugar or honey to sweeten.
• Allow the syrup to cool at room temperature, and then pour into mason jar.

I like mine really strong — I use lots of ginger. Experiment with less or more ginger to see what you like.

Beet + Limoncello + Basil Smoothie

Ingredients

1.5 cups of vanilla yogurt

1 cup of limoncello (Lemon Liquor)

2 small beets cooked, steamed and diced

3 Large Basil leaves

Lemon zest

Directions

• Combine yogurt, limoncello, and beets — blend until smooth.
• Tear 2 basil leaves into pieces and add to above and blend again.

Pour into a glass, garnish with lemon zest and basil. ENJOY!

If you’d like to be a good guy or gal and enjoy beets for all of its nutritional benefits — try this.

Blueberries + Beet Smoothie

Completely vegan

Ingredients

1/2 cup peeled and chopped organic raw beets

1.5 cup of organic blueberries

1/2 cup apple juice

1 frozen banana (if banana is fresh add ice)

Fresh mint

Directions

• Combine beet, blueberries, banana  and apple juice to blender and blend until creamy

Pour into two glasses and garnish with mint. ENJOY!

Tip

Taste and adjust for your tastebuds. I love to add more bananas and blueberries. My friend likes it thinner and adds more apple juice.

Beets are an excellent addition to your diet — I’ve heard some say beets are an acquired taste. But I believe it’s delicious plus you have so many options to add other fruits or veggies for a nutritional punch.

Beets are known for their detoxifying benefits by adding the berries and banana — we have vibrancy, plant-based fiber, potassium, iron, folate, and vitamin C.

I hope you join me for a cocktail  – cheers to excellent health and a fabulous Sunday.

As always, sending Love — Stay Safe.

Cheers

XXOO

Nat