Cherry Ginger Spritz is a bright, crisp summer sipper you will love. This refreshing, sweet-sour alcohol-free libation can easily be made in batches and it’s great for a party.

Let’s be real, the data shows most of you are middle-aged ladies in perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause. (Who knew menopause would ever dominate the news cycle?)

That might mean hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and weight gain. Guess what? Alcohol makes these symptoms worse. Many of us occasionally like to sip a glass of wine or whiskey. However, one of the biggest improvements in my health and wellness has been to reduce alcohol in my life.

Once a month you can count on an easy mocktail like this Cherry Ginger Spritz to add to your repertoire. All of the recipes are made with accessible ingredients that you could find in a normal home bar. The hardest thing you might need to do is make (or buy) a simple syrup.

This issue also shares

• The Best Life Living Tip: How Nootropics Can Make Choices Easy. (And, what the heck is a nootropic?)
• The Self-Care Technique: Beyond the Pedi…How to Step Forward with Foot Health.
• Ideas and Inspiration: Want to Find Your Bliss in a Mountain Sanctuary?

Read on for more — including the recipe for this super tasty Cherry Ginger Spritz.

Best Life Living Tip

GMA recently shared study results from the Journal of American Medicine, “having a few drinks each week was linked to earlier deaths among adults 40-69.” Sadly, this is not news….our culture says one thing and our doctors say another. How do we flip that switch?

The best life-living tip when you are drinking mindfully, sober-curious, or abstaining completely is to make it easy.

If you have potato chips in your pantry, you are more likely to eat potato chips. If you sub out that bag of chips for something healthier like cherries, you’ll eat cherries. Easy peasy.

Canned mocktails help make it easy. Sometimes you want a homemade Cherry Ginger Spritz. Sometimes you just want to pop a can.

What are Social Tonics?

There’s a new trend with canned NA drinks called “Social Tonics.” Social tonics are all the buzz but without the buzz — or maybe just a little buzz — one company likes to call it the “float.”

Social tonics are designed to provide a mild, mood-lifting effect and contain natural ingredients such as adaptogens, nootropics, or botanicals that promote relaxation, focus, and a sense of well-being. Hiyo, Kin, and Recess are three popular brands.

Adaptogens are herbs, roots and other plant substances (like mushrooms) that help our bodies manage stress.

Nootropics, also known as “smart drugs” are substances that used in an attempt to improve memory, increase mental alertness and boost energy levels. (“Noos” means “to mind” and “tropein” means “to monitor.”)

Botanicals a botanical is a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, and/or scent.

Whether you “float” with a social tonic or make an easy homemade mocktail like this Cherry Ginger Spritz at home, the best way you can help yourself with NA choices is to make it easy.

 Self-Care Technique

Now that I am more active foot health is part of my daily self-care routine.

Foot health is especially important as we age. “Toe Spacers” and “Recovery Shoes” are exploding topics.

The National Institute of Health reports, “Your feet are surprisingly complex. Each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and a network of nerves and blood vessels. Your feet also have more than 100 muscles and connectors, called tendons and ligaments.”

Check out these Ten Tips for Foot Health from UCLA  Health on how you can keep your feet at their best.

Additionally, massage your feet! I massage my feet every single night before bed. It’s easy to make it routine when you “habit stack it.” 

1. Interlace your fingers and toes. (😳 Be warned!)
2. Bend, scrunch, and flex your toes.
3. Use your fingers to massage your arch, sole, pad, and heel.
4. Windshield wiper and rotate your ankles. Try 10 in each direction.

It’s very important to keep your feet healthy, strong, and flexible for support and balance.

You can do it!

Ideas and Inspiration  

I fell in love with Hambidge in 2021 and have been a huge fan ever since. (Not kidding – when I meditate and need to visualize a moonlit meadow, it’s the lawn at Hambidge.)

Established in 1934, the Hambidge Center nurtures creativity and the arts through a multidisciplinary residency program, innovative workshops, environmental initiatives, and community programs on its pristine wooded 600-acre creative sanctuary in Rabun County, Georgia.

Give them a follow on IG at @hambidgecenter

I am thrilled to host the premier Good and Good for You workshop at Hambidge this November. We’re going to cook, talk, exercise, hike, meditate, and generally find our bliss.  And, it will be PEAK LEAF SEASON!! I hope you will join me.

Point it Out

Cherries are a rich source of antioxidants, ginger is anti-inflammatory, and lime is rich in vitamin C which helps regulate the immune system. This Cherry Ginger Spritz may not make you “float” but it’s still good and good for you!

And, yes you can add vodka if that’s your jam. When serving at a party, I suggest putting out a chilled bottle of vodka on ice so guests can add their own.

Without alcohol, this Cherry Ginger Spritz comes in at 87 calories and 3 WW smart points per serving. I hope you like it! Thanks for reading.

Bon Appétit Y’all!

Virginia Willis

2. WP Recipe Maker #25148remove Cherry Ginger Spritz Drink garnishes are like accessories. They can make the outfit! Mix and match what works for you. I love using fresh basil in mocktails; the aroma is fantastic and it can change the experience. Course: beverage, cocktails, mocktail Cuisine: American Keyword: cocktail, mocktail, zero proof mocktail Prep Time: 5m Author: <a href=”https://virginiawillis.com/” target=”_blank”>Virginia Willis</a> – 4 ounces tart cherry juice – 1 ounce fresh or bottled lime juice – 1 teaspoon ginger simple syrup – Soda water for serving – Cherries for garnish – Basil for garnish – Lime for garnish – Ginger sugar or sugar for garnish, optional 1) To make the candied ginger sugar, combine 1 tablespoon of candied ginger and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar in a spice grinder or small food processor. Pulse until the candied ginger is finely ground. 2) To make Cherry Ginger Spritz: Wipe the edge of a 12-ounce rocks glass with lime. Roll the edge of the glass in the candied ginger sugar or regular sugar, if desired. 3) Fill the glass with ice. Add cherry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Stir to combine. Top with soda, garnish as desired, and serve immediately. 4) If made in a large batch, all of the ingredients can be combined in a pitcher except the soda. calories 87 carbohydrates 23 protein 1 fat 0.02 polyunsaturated_fat 0.01 sodium 14 potassium 231 fiber 0.1 sugar 17 vitamin_a 14 vitamin_c 9 calcium 14 iron 1