Fancy a shot?

These days that’s more likely to mean a bracing hit of wheatgrass or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar than the B-52s and Jägerbombs of our youth.

Superfood drinks and tonics represent a quick way to get a hit of beneficial nutrients and other goodies when you don’t have time for faffing around with juicing or smoothie making.

Evidence of the extraordinary health benefits of curcumin (the main compound of turmeric) is too strong to ignore. Meanwhile, the link between gut health and almost every other part of the body has sparked a trend for probiotic-rich foods that have been shown to replenish and support the ‘good bacteria’ down there, helping to better your mood, soothe skin conditions and improve digestion.

Of course, there is no guarantee a drink will make you feel better (there is no magic cure-all – all juices and drinks should only be used to supplement a healthy diet) but if you’d like to test a trend for yourself, having a ready-made bottle of something in the fridge can be a handy time-saver.

Happily, Cork producers have been busily concocting, developing and refining a selection of drinks and tonics that make it easier than ever to add these potent ingredients to your diet.

Here are three to try this month: 

BEET KVASS

Made by The Cultured Food Company, Skibbereen

These friendly fermentors already make some of our favourite sauerkrauts (the Organic Juniper Berry flavour is outrageously tasty) so we were eager to try their version of Beet Kvass, an ancient Russian health tonic.

A low-sugar, antioxidant-rich, very purple drink, the Cultured Food Co. say one small glass of Beet Kvass every morning and evening will “promote regularity, aid digestion, alkalize the blood, cleanse the liver and work as a good treatment for kidney stones and other ailments.”

Not bad for a quick shot.

 

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All Cultured Food Co. products are 100% natural, free from additives or preservatives and traditionally fermented over several months.

There’s only one thing to point out here; if you’re not a fan of sour flavours this probably won’t appeal to you. If pickles and ferments are your favourite things to eat, you’ll be adding this earthy tonic to your breakfast, mixing it into your cocktails (it adds a brilliant pink hue to clear drinks) and adding a dash to your salad dressings.

Want to try it? You can find Beet Kvass in health food shops and SuperValu stores.

JAMU

Made by MU Tonics, Durrus

A traditional herbal tonic that originated in Indonesia, various recipes for Jamu have been used for more than 4,000 years to improve immunity and help with all manner of common ailments.

The Cork version, made in Durrus by MU Tonics, is packed with organic fresh turmeric – an ingredient that’s rarely out of the headlines for its cancer-fighting anti-inflammatory properties.

 

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This delicious spicy drink blends the super spice with tamarind, ginger, lemongrass, citrus, cinnamon, black pepper and Atlantic sea salt.

With a sweet/sour tang and a peppery, spicy hit from the pepper and ginger, Jamu is designed to be taken daily whenever you feel you need a boost (each €12.50 bottle contains 3,700mg of turmeric and enough for a 100ml shot for five days).

You can also add it to a smoothie, dilute it in hot water with a spoon of organic coconut oil or heat it up mixed with nut milk to make warming golden milk. Add one part Jamu to two-parts prosecco to get your health kick at cocktail hour.

Want to try it? You can find Jamu in Organico, Bantry, Nash 19, Princes Street, and online here.

MY GOODNESS GOLD FINGER

Made by My Goodness, English Market, Cork

This unique fermented beverage is made from tamarind, turmeric, ginger and chilli rainwater kefir; a mighty blend of ‘Flu fighting ingredients if ever there was one.

According to My Goodness, kefir alkalises the system and provides the gut with beneficial bacteria.

“These traits are the reason kefir is used to treat ailments such as IBS, Chrone’s disease, digestive disorders, ceoliac and acid reflux.” they say.

 

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It was an instant hit in Cork (you can order it on tap at The Roundy in Cork City and Cronin’s Pub in Crosshaven – it’s delish mixed with gin) and the drink recently scooped a pair of gold stars in The Great Taste Awards, one of the most prestigious competitions in the UK and Ireland.

Want to try it? Order a glass in the bars above or at the English Market stall. You can expect to see this one in plenty more pubs soon.