Mocktail Mary - New Recipe

 So many smoothies that are featured every day on Instagram inspire me to try my own recipe. There are some that use methods that have some awesome health benefits.  I decided to make up this savory smoothie, and - oh baby, I nailed it!  I call it the Mocktail Mary because it tastes like a Bloody Mary, but has absolutely no alcohol in it which makes it a great morning brunch drink or before dinner appetizer, even if you are avoiding the typical cocktail hour ritual.  This recipe is a great way to squeeze more vegetables into your diet and does not have the sweet fruit that so many smoothie recipes call for.

Ok, here goes:

I rough chop my veggies and put them on a pie plate.  I put the plate in the freezer for about an hour.  This quick freeze helps the chopped veggies liquefy easily in the blender and the concoction will become frosty and thick like a smoothie.

1/2 a peeled Cucumber

Two ribs of Celery

1/2 a Red Bell Pepper (Yellow is good too)

1 thin slice Jalapeño Pepper

Three slices of Red Cabbage

Two small Tomatoes

Freeze, then put them in the blender and let them thaw for a few minutes.

Add:
Juice of two Fresh Limes

2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (Use the real stuff, it's good for you!)

A dash of Balsamic vinegar (the vinegars are what makes it taste boozy.)

2 teaspoons of Tabasco Sauce (adjust to taste)

1 Cup of Trader Joe's brand Low Sodium Garden Patch Juice.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Blend it up and spoon it into two 8-ounce glasses.

Garnish with Baby Beet Leaves, Baby Kale Leaves, Lime Slices, and Chervil.

(Or whatever edibles you have growing in the garden, like Parsley or Thyme).

Add a glass straw by GlassDharma!
 

sidenote:

GlassDharma gives away free glass straws every year for Earth Day and you can get one just by participating in the project.  You view a video and answer a few simple questions to get a coupon code.  Checkout the project here.