Fig, Honey, and Açaí For a Healthier Cocktail—Cheers!

With the holidays right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to spice things up with a cocktail recipe that’s healthier than most. One of my favorite secret weapons to use in holiday drinks is VeeV's Açaí Spirit. It's unique as liquors go—it has hints of berries, citrus, and a smooth but tart tanginess. But what's really great is that each serving of VeeV is only 60 calories, making it the perfect splurge even if you're health-conscious.

When I reached out to Justin Winters, a VeeV mixologist, he shared this perfect-for-fall cocktail recipe, which is one of his favorites. The concoction is made with fig, which is high in potassium and fiber, and honey, which is known for its disease-fighting antioxidants and flavonoids. And VeeV itself even has some healthy ingredients! One of the main ones is acai berry, that's full of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants; there are also traces of vitamin C–packed acelora berry and prickly pear cactus, known to be high in carotenoids and and fiber. Admittedly ginger beer is essentially a soft drink (with some calories, yes), but it's delicious! Use one made with real ginger root, like Reeds Original Ginger Brew or Rachel's Ginger Brew, for extra zing and you'll get some of the antioxidant, medicinal benefits of ginger (and avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial ginger flavors). 

Fig and Honey Cocktail

2 oz. VeeV Açaí Spirit
1 oz. lemon juice
0.5 oz. honey (or agave)
ginger beer
1 whole fig, muddled
slice of fig for garnish

Muddle one whole fig in a shaker with lemon juice and honey. Add VeeV and shake ingredients well with ice. Double strain into a mason jar or a glass filled with ice, and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a slice of fig. 

Kit Rich is Los Angeles-based fitness trainer with endless exercise and nutritional know-how. Hollywood's hottest stars are addicted to Kit's unique, multi-disciplined approach that combines cardio, yoga, Pilates, and weight training. Kit's clients are immediately taken by her funny and honest approach to health and fitness. She treats her clients as she treats herself, "with a hard challenge, sensibility, sensitively, and a good laugh." Follow Kit on Twitter @kitrichfitness.