Cherry Almond Fizz Mocktail

Somewhere along the line, I was convinced that drinking alcohol was glamorous. It was associated with women in beautiful dresses drinking champagne, or four girls meeting up for cosmos in the hippest bar in Manhattan. The height of sophistication was Olivia Pope coming home from her badass job and opening a luscious bottle of Bordeaux. Drinking alcohol equals sexy and glamorous life right? 

None of this was true in my experience. The glamour of a drink latest perhaps twenty minutes. Then I was thrown into the least glamorous states possible. I was lethargic, impatient, anxious, and my brain was telling me I needed more alcohol to relieve these feelings. So I had more and become less of who I really was. My life is way more glamorous without the champagne. Saying stupid things, sweating in my sleep, and hugging toilets wasn't really the epitome of sophistication.

This drink is made with cherry juice, citrus, and almond milk. Cherries are full of melatonin, which helps you sleep, and they help fight inflammation. Alcohol is very inflammatory for the body.  

Almond milk contains fifty percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin E, which is vital for healthy skin and protecting against sun damage. Let's not even start on how much more radiant your skin will be when you give up alcohol.  

There is just as much glamour, sophistication, and appeal in any drink made sans alcohol. Treating yourself to something delicious and healthy that won't wreck havoc on your neurotransmitters and stress hormones, that sounds like a true spa day to me.  

Recipe:  

3 oz cherry juice 

Juice of ½ small lemon 

3 tablespoons almond milk 

2 teaspoons simple syrup 

3 tablespoons aquafaba 

Cherry, for garnish 

In a shaker, pour in all ingredients without any ice. Shake vigorously, at least twenty times. Add ice and shake some more. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a cherry.  

Notes: Aquafaba is the water left over in a can of white beans. Vegans use it as a replacement for egg whites in meringues and cakes.  It adds a beautiful froth, is mild in flavor and is much more appealing to me than raw egg goo.  

Simple syrup is equal parts water and sugar. Basically, boil 1 cup of water and stir in 1 cup of sugar, cool and use for mocktails. Before cooling, feel free to stir in any kinds of flavorings like lavender, spices, roses, whatever you desire.