We have all been warned about the dangers of alcohol; how bad it is for our bodies, how it can damage the liver, and how it can cause ill mental health. Very few times have we been told that alcohol actually has benefits.
Despite how ridiculous it sounds, moderate consumption of alcohol can have benefits for our health. By moderate, it means one drink a day for women and two for men. After these smaller quantities, the less likely you are to see the positive benefits, and the risks we have always been warned about start to increase.
Keep reading if you want to learn how alcohol can benefit your health.
How Cocktails Can Keep You Healthy
Below are several different ways cocktails and other alcoholic drinks can help keep us healthy.
Increase Life Span
Research into alcohol consumption has shown that drinking in moderation can actually increase one’s lifespan, helping them to live longer. Similar studies have also found that responsibly drinking throughout the week is much better than binge drinking.
In a study from 2018 that was published in the PLOS Medicine journal, those who drink alcohol and moderation were less likely to perish at a young age than those who have stained entirely. Strange, right?
Good Mental Health
Drinking alcohol is normally a social occurrence, so those who are drinking alcohol moderately tend to be happier and more carefree. Alcohol affects the neurotransmitters in your brain, affecting your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. When drinking alcohol, you’ll feel relaxed, confident, and less anxious. Of course, this is only with moderate consumption.
Reduce Heart Failure Risk
Binge drinking has long been linked to cardiovascular issues, but drinking alcohol and moderation can actually reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart failure. Studies have found that drinking in moderation can actually reduce the chances of having a stroke, heart attack, or hardened arteries by up to 40%. This may be because alcohol can increase the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol levels, which are good for the body.
Prevents Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are a painful occurrence that some adults face. However, individuals who regularly drink alcohol and moderation have a lower risk of developing kidney stones; it’s because alcohol stimulates our bladder, causing us to urinate more often. This helps keep our kidneys clear of crystals that can transform into stones later on.
Still, drinking alcohol can dehydrate the body, so make sure you are drinking adequate levels of water.
Healthy Alcoholic Drinks
Below are several recipes for healthy handcrafted cocktails that have small quantities of alcohol and you can find them on DRNXMYTH.
Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary is possibly one of the healthiest cocktail options to choose from. Not only does it have a low alcohol content, but Bloody Marys are great for curing hangovers. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals and have a low-calorie count.
Ingredients:
- Celery salt
- 1 lemon wedge
- 1 lime wedge
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- 2 teaspoons horseradish
- 2 dashes of hot sauce
- 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pinch of ground black pepper
- 1 pinch of smoked paprika
- Garnish: parsley, green olives, lime wedge, and stalk of celery
Steps:
- Coat the rim of a pint glass by rubbing a lime wedge over it and dipping it in celery salt. Fill the glass with ice.
- Into a shaker, squeeze the lemon and lime wedges, and then drop them in.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients and shake.
- Strain into the glass with ice. Add in the parsley, lime wedge, celery stalk, and speared green olives as a garnish. (Optional)
Rose Spritzer
Rose spritzers are delicious and a creative way to enjoy wine. They require few ingredients and can help keep you hydrated.
Ingredients:
- Rose wine
- Club soda
Making a spritzer is extremely easy! All you do is fill a glass with ice and pour wine to the halfway mark. Top off with the club soda and stir.
Margarita
Margaritas are absolutely delicious, and they include only small amounts of alcohol. The best thing about margaritas is the hundreds of ways they can be altered.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces of Avion Tequila Silver
- 1 ounce of Triple Sec
- 3/4 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- agave nectar or simple syrup, to taste
- Ice
- lime wedge and coarse salt
Steps:
- If desired, salt the rim of the glass by moistening the rim with a lime wedge and dipping it into the salt.
- Add the liquids into a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake until the outside of the shaker is cold. Taste and add in agave nectar if needed.
- Add ice into the prepared glass and strain the margarita mix into it.
- Garnish with a slice of lime.
Paloma
A Paloma is a delicious cocktail with a tequila base and is traditionally made with grapefruit juice.
Ingredients:
- Kosher salt
- 1 grapefruit wedge
- ¼ cup of grapefruit juice
- ¼ cup of tequila
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- ¼ cup of club soda
Steps:
- On a flat plate, pour kosher salt. With the grapefruit wedge, rub the rim of a highball glass to moisten it and dip the rim into salt.
- In the same glass, mix the lime juice, sugar, and grapefruit juice.
- Stir in the tequila and ice, topping off with club soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Negroni
The name “Negroni” comes from Count Camillo Negroni, who enjoyed strong liquor while working as a rodeo clown. It is a simple cocktail commonly served before dinner, and its small amounts of alcohol make it an ideal option.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce Campari (an Italian bitter, can be substituted)
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Orange peel
Steps:
- Add the liquids into a mixing glass with ice and stir until the mix is chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass with a singular ice cube.
- Garnish with the orange peel.
Manhattan
The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that is simple yet delicious. Not only does the Manhattan have a small amount of alcohol, but it is also naturally low in sugar, making it a healthy option.
Ingredients::
- 2 1/2 oz Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
In a mixing glass, stir with ice and then strain into a martini glass.
Now that you know cocktails can have great benefits for your health, you can feel free to enjoy them without worrying. Just remember to drink in moderation and drink responsibly.
