4 Vitamin C Cocktails That Will Cure Your Winter Blues

It’s winter, and that means more time spent indoors warming yourself by the fire. What better to ignite your belly than a cocktail designed to boost your immunity?

Although 2020 is nearly over, the COVID-19 threat remains while officials race to distribute vaccinations. In the meantime, you owe it to yourself to elevate your drinking game with a nutrient that can keep your immune system functioning at its peak. Here are four vitamin C cocktails that will cure your winter blues.

Did you know that a single red bell pepper contains nearly three times the vitamin C of an orange? However, since spicy orange juice never caught on — probably for a good reason — travel south of the border to mix up this cocktail.

All you’ll need is a 12-ounce beer, like Negro Modelo, 4-ounces of Clamato, ½-ounce lime juice, a red bell pepper, some tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and celery salt. A stalk of celery for garnish is a pleasant touch. You’ll want to puree the red pepper before blending all ingredients over ice.

What’s up, Doc? Hopefully, you won’t have to ask your sawbones this question after the antioxidants in this vitamin C cocktail neutralize the free radicals that cause disease. The magic ingredient is the cartoon rabbit’s favorite snack.

You’ll need to gather the following ingredients:

• 1½ ounces Fords Gin
• 1 ounce freshly pressed carrot juice
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• ¼ ounce freshly pressed ginger juice
• ¼ ounce Cointreau
• Soda water
• Small carrot (for garnish)
• Orange slice (for garnish)
• Flat-leaf parsley (for garnish)

The carrot juice adds an extra dose of vitamin C, along with vitamin A, another nutrient critical to immune function. Ginger gently soothes an upset tummy, useful if you have a bit of gastrointestinal trouble with your sniffles.

The Scandinavians have long used elderberries to strengthen their immunity in winter, and considering how high they rank in overall happiness, maybe good health has much to do with it. If you can’t find elderberry juice in stores, you can whip up this recipe and keep some in your fridge throughout the cold season.

Then, gather ½-ounce of elderberry juice, ½-ounce lemon juice, ½-ounce vodka, ½-ounce elderflower liqueur, ¼-ounce ginger syrup and 2-ounces of sparkling wine. Blend all ingredients in a glass and serve garnished with a slice of lemon.

Few things feel as satisfying as a hot toddy when you’re down. Fortunately, if you make a version of this beverage with lemon juice, you already get an infusion of vitamin C. The inclusion of honey in this recipe also adds a blast of antimicrobial goodness to soak up any germs lingering in your intestines.

To make this drink extra immune-boosting, why not substitute echinacea herbal tea for the traditional black and green version you typically use? Since it’s caffeine-free, it won’t keep you awake if a nap is your objective, and herbalists have long regaled the plant for helping you fight off colds.

If you feel under the weather — or want to prevent getting sick — try these four vitamin C cocktails to cure your winter blues. The added alcohol makes this a fun way to get your nutrition.