Turmeric Tonic Is My Golden​ ​Pick​-​Me​-Up

Turmeric​ ​is​ ​having​ ​a​ ​moment.​ ​A​ ​quick​ ​scan​ ​of​ ​the​ ​chilled​ ​beverage​ ​display​ ​at​ ​most​ ​grocery stores​ ​will​ ​reveal​ ​turmeric​ ​kombucha,​ ​turmeric​ ​elixir,​ ​turmeric​ ​shots,​ ​turmeric​ ​chai,​ ​turmeric blended​ ​juices.​ ​This​ ​golden​ ​root​ ​(similar​ ​to​ ​ginger)​ ​is​ ​chock​-​full​ ​of​ ​healthy​ ​compounds​ ​and​ ​can help​ ​with​ ​inflammation,​ ​improve​ ​digestion,​ ​and​ ​energize​ ​your​ ​afternoon.​ ​Thanks,​ ​antioxidants! But​ ​turmeric​ ​is​ ​no​ ​superfood​ ​newbie:​ ​it's​ ​been​ ​used​ ​for​ ​centuries​ ​in​ ​traditional​ ​Ayurvedic medicine​ ​and​ ​stars​ ​in​ ​the​ ​test​ ​kitchen's​ ​favorite​ ​cleansing​ ​meal​ kitchari​,​ ​and​ ​that all-day​ ​staple the golden​ ​latte​.

Reach​ ​for​ ​the​ ​fresh​ ​variety​ ​for​ ​this​ ​super​-simple​ ​turmeric​ ​tonic.​ ​This​ ​recipe​ ​is​ ​courtesy​ ​of​ ​Chef Camille​ ​Becerra​ ​of​ ​New​ ​York​ ​City's​ ​​De​ ​Maria​​ ​(she​ ​features​ ​a​ ​pineapple​ ​turmeric​ ​blend​ ​that's​ ​out of​ ​this​ ​world). ​The​ ​good​ ​news​ ​is​ ​that​ ​fresh​ ​turmeric​ ​is​ ​showing​ ​up​ ​at​ ​more​ ​and​ ​more​ ​health​ ​food stores​ ​and​ ​Asian​ ​markets,​ ​so​ ​you​ ​can​ ​make​ ​this​ ​drink​ ​at​ ​home.​ ​

Be​ ​extra​ ​careful​ ​when​ ​using fresh​ ​turmeric​ ​-​- ​it​ ​will​ ​stain​ ​hands,​ ​counters,​ ​and​ ​containers.​ ​I​ ​always​ ​use​ ​glass​ ​jars​ ​and​ ​metal spoons.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​don't​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​juicing​ ​your​ ​own,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​also​ ​start​ ​with​ ​fresh​ ​turmeric​ ​juice​ ​(head back​ ​to​ ​that​ ​chilled​ ​beverage​ ​display)​ ​and​ ​add​ ​fresh​ ​lemon​ ​juice​ ​and​ ​honey.​ ​That's​ ​the​ ​base​ ​of the​ ​tonic,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​will​ ​keep​ ​in​ ​the​ ​refrigerator​ ​for​ ​several​ ​days.​ ​Simply​ ​spoon​ ​a​ ​few​ ​tablespoons into​ ​a​ ​large​ ​glass​ ​filled​ ​with​ ​ice​ ​and​ ​top​ ​with​ ​seltzer​ ​water.​ ​Sprinkle​ ​some​ ​cayenne​ ​on​ ​top​ ​for​ ​a kick​ ​or​ ​throw​ ​in​ ​some​ ​fresh​ ​ginger​ ​for​ ​more​ ​of​ ​a​ ​bite.​ ​(You​ ​can​ ​make​ ​this​ ​tonic​ ​using​ ​100 percent ginger​ ​juice,​ ​but​ ​you'll​ ​need​ ​to​ ​up​ ​the​ ​honey​ ​for​ ​balance.)

Next​ ​time​ ​you're​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​a​ ​boost,​ ​skip​ ​the​ ​coffee​ ​and​ ​go​ ​for​ ​the​ ​gold​ ​instead!

Get the Turmeric Tonic Recipe

Tune in every Sunday for a new Healthy Appetite video from Shira Bocar.

Watch Shira make Turmeric Tonic -- then make your own golden juice: