Rosemary Wild Orange Margarita - Therapeutic drinking?

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Most of us think of having a drink as some form of therapy, no? In prepping to write this post, I googled "drinking therapy quotes". I got about 944,000 results in 0.27 seconds. Some of them definitely made me smile, like the one the left. It's so true though, isn't it? There is simply something about a glass of wine (or other libation) and a good friend that makes life feel not so difficult, if only for an hour or so. 

Now, I'm not a big drinker, nor do I advocate a bottle over real therapy, but I do enjoy a good drink. And if we can make it therapeutic, well, why the hell not? 



One of the essentially simply syrups I made was a lovely blend of Rosemary and Wild Orange. This screamed tequila to me. And, oddly enough, tequila actually has some health benefits. Here are just a few:  

1. Stimulate the appetite
2. Aid digestion
2. Break down dietary fat, which can help lower LDL levels, the bad cholesterol
3. Fructans, which tequila is derived from, actually supply probiotics
4. Prebiotic attributes of tequila help make the intestines a more friendly environment for healthy bacteria to thrive (source)

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​Rosemary and Wild Orange also have their own beneficial, therapeutic properties.

Rosemary has a really high antioxidant value. So what? Well, antioxidants are nutrients that minimize the disruptive power of free radicals. The word “antioxidant” itself means “against oxidation,” and oxidation is the phenomenon that begins the whole problem of free radicals. What's a free radical? They are reactive molecules within our body. The molecule becomes “free” and “radical” when, due to all kinds of potential stressors such as excessive exercise, sunlight, alcohol, radiation, smoking and other toxins, it gets an extra electron. Due to that extra electron, the molecule reacts with the molecules around it, producing other free radicals, which in turn produce even more free radicals.
This surge of free radicals can damage cell bodies, fats, proteins, and other molecular processes. The greater accumulation of free radicals and the fewer antioxidants in your body, the greater your risk may be of developing certain diseases like all types of cancer, diabetes, strokes, arthritis, atherosclerosis, macular degeneration, heart disease, MS, fibromyalgia, and more.  Antioxidants combat this by unloading their extra electron molecule to the free radical molecule, preventing its toxicity. The chemical in rosemary primarily responsible for this is carnosol. In addition to being a rich antioxidant, carnosol is also known for its ability to reduce inflammation. Rosemary has also been known to improve memory, soothe digestion and relieve muscle aches and pains. (source) (source)

Wild Orange is most commonly used for digestive and immune support, mood management, as well as skin health. Because it is high in monoterpenes, it is a powerful cleanser and purifying agent, and supports the elimination toxins from the body, while stimulating the lymphatic system. Wild orange’s main constituent, limonene, has powerful anti-cancer activity, suggesting that this oil might be effective as an anti-cancer agent. It is also high in antioxidants, like Rosemary, and is incredibly uplifting to the mind and the body.  (source)

I mean really, can we get a better cocktail than this? I think not!
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​Here's what you need to make a fantastic, therapeutic, Rosemary Wild Orange Margarita.

Ingredients

• 3 ounces (2 jiggers) good tequila   I used Herradura Reposado
• Juice of two limes
• 1.5 to 3 ounces (1-2 jiggers) Rosemary Wild Orange Simple Syrup
• Ice
• Carbonated water or Club Soda (optional)
• Turbinado sugar
• Rosemary essential oil
• Spring of rosemary to garnish

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Method

• Add a drop of Rosemary essential oil to turbinado sugar in a shallow bowl. Stir to combine. Wet the rim of your glass, then dip your glass with the Rosemary scented sugar. 
• Fill shaker with ice. Juice limes and add tequila, simple syrup and lime juice to shaker. 
• Fill glass with fresh ice. Shake and strain margarita into your glass. Top with a splash of club soda or carbonated water if desired. 
• Add a sprig of fresh rosemary for a fancy-schmancy garnish to your earthy, citrusy goodness and enjoy the "therapeutic" benefits with a few good friends!

Try this at home and let me know what you think! I'd also love to hear your ideas for other uses for Rosemary Wild Orange simple syrup. 
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image courtesy of pintrest