With luck, warmer weather means we’ll soon be seeing the end of cold and flu season. Meanwhile, most of us, I think, are tying to stay out of harm’s way by washing our hands obsessively and boosting our immune system’s resistance (we hope) by getting enough sleep and eating a nutritious diet. For many people good nutrition means adding
more foods rich in vitamin C to our daily meal plan. One of the simplest and tastiest ways to get more dietary vitamin C is through oranges (a single orange can provide anywhere from 70 to 100 milligrams of vitamin C).
more foods rich in vitamin C to our daily meal plan. One of the simplest and tastiest ways to get more dietary vitamin C is through oranges (a single orange can provide anywhere from 70 to 100 milligrams of vitamin C). And what does an orange marry with beautifully? Whiskey! Stay with me here–we’re still talking about the flu. Dr. William Shaffner, Chair of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been widely quoted in various media outlets for suggesting that a whiskey-based drink probably won’t prevent you getting a cold or the flu, but if you do get sick…whiskey might very well help treat the symptoms.
The alcohol in whisky dilates blood vessels somewhat, explains Dr. Shaffner, “and that makes it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infection.” In some circles Hot Toddys are the standard treatment for cold or flu symptoms, while other folks swear by hot chai dosed with whiskey. In Ireland people apparently like whiskey mixed with ginger to combat the flu, which makes sense given that ginger has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
But even if you don’t believe that whisky can relieve flu symptoms, or that vitamin C and ginger will help you avoid getting the sniffles, this lovely cocktail will undoubtedly make you happy.
Recipe: The Gesundheit
4 ounces fresh squeezed orange juice
4 ounces rye
2 ounces ginger liqueur*
1 teaspoon Cointreau
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Shake, strain, and pour into a glass of your choice.
*I use Stirrings Ginger Liqueur, which is nicely spicy, and sweet enough for my palate, anyway. Stirrings is relatively inexpensive at $20, and has forthright, but not too intense, gingery flavors. This brand is sweetened with cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup.
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