Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Homemade Gatorade

One of the things I love best about living in Arizona is the abundance of fresh citrus in the winter. It's everywhere...oranges, tangerines, tangelos, grapefruit, lemons...fresh citrus juice and segments every day...love, love, LOVE it!
This year we had a freeze that lasted for a solid week. That's a long time in Phoenix; typically it's a couple of days here and there, not consistent for any length of time. It was cold enough that our fountain was frozen. There was concern about losing the citrus. Thankfully, everything around us survived. 
Here comes one of the easiest and best copycat recipes I've seen. This recipe came to me from my fabulous brother Eric. Eric is an incredible cook and shares some amazing recipes with me. He has worked at one of the best (unnamed) restaurants in Vegas for well over 20 years. Maybe one day I will share (with his permission, of course) some of his favorite recipes. He makes amazing sauces (peanut, hoisen, etc) and candy.

Anyway, Eric shared this super easy Homemade Gatorade recipe with me and I love it!

Ingredients:                                                                               
6 Oranges
1/2 Lemon
1 Cup Coconut Water

Juice the oranges and lemon
Add in the coconut water
Shake
Drink

Super simple. Super good.

Haven't heard of coconut WATER? It is the juice in the interior of a young coconut. (not to be confused with coconut MILK, which is made by squeezing grated coconut meat). Coconut water  is sweet and sterile and contains vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, enzymes and amino acids....all the things people drink Gatorade for. Coconut water is high in calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc and is also a good source of B-complex vitamins, vitamin C and potassium. I actually could write an entire article about the benefits of coconut water talking about how it aids digestion, helps reduce high blood pressure and increases metabolism...but I won't. Let's just say that coconut water tastes great and is very good for your health!


And here it is...looks like a glass of juice; tastes like Gatorade.
Enjoy!!

Do you have a favorite copycat recipe to share with me?