5 Turmeric Cocktails to Help You Drink a Little Healthier

By Amanda Gabriele

We can all agree that drinking alcohol will never be completely healthy. But it doesn’t have to be particularly unhealthy, either.

That’s why we’re turning to the wholesome powers of bright yellow turmeric. Turmeric is known to help with ailments like pain and inflammation, it can boost your immune system, and it has even been associated with radiant skin. So if you’re looking for a way to drink a little healthier this season, look no further than these five turmeric cocktails. Not only do they taste great, but they’ll help you glow from the inside out.

Delhi Cooler cocktail with tropical 80's background

Delhi Cooler

Delhi Cooler

London Dry Gin gets an extra splash of botanicals in this cocktail from Chicago’s The Whistler. A spice-rich curry nectar deepens the flavors of tropical pineapple and bright lime juice.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. London Dry Gin
  • .75 oz. Curry Nectar*
  • .75 oz. Pineapple Juice
  • .75 oz. Lime Juice

Preparation: Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with ice. Shake and strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice.

*Curry Nectar

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups Water
  • 1 cup Cumin
  • 1 cup Coriander
  • 1 cup Allspice
  • .5 cup Black Peppercorn
  • 2.5 tbsp. Turmeric
  • 2 Thai Chili Peppers (Stems & Seeds Removed)
  • 5 cups Sugar

Preparation: Add all ingredients except for the sugar to a large pot. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, add sugar and stir to dissolve. Cover and steep an additional 15 minutes. Strain through multiple layers of cheesecloth.


loverboy cocktail, bar with angel painting

Loverboy

Photo by Jenn Wong

Loverboy

This cocktail from Spoonfed beverage director John Neumueller gets a double dose of wellness from both turmeric and ginger syrups. They are mixed with rich cognac and Giffard banana liqueur to create a drink that we’d describe as sunshine in a glass.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Cognac
  • 1 oz. Giffard Banane du Bresil
  • .75 oz. Lemon Juice
  • .5 oz. Cold Pressed Ginger Syrup*
  • .25 oz. Turmeric Syrup**
  • Club Soda, to Top
  • Candied Ginger (to Garnish)

Preparation: Add all ingredients, save for the soda water and garnish, to a shaker tin with ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice in a Collins glass and top with club soda. Garnish with candied ginger.

*Cold Pressed Ginger Syrup

Ingredients:

  • 400 gr. Fine White Sugar
  • 440 gr. Cold Pressed Ginger Juice

Preparation: Combine and stir to dissolve.

**Turmeric Syrup

Ingredients:

  • 400 gr. Fine White Sugar
  • 440 gr. Hot Water
  • 20 gr. Fresh Turmeric

Preparation: Steep turmeric in hot water for five minutes. Strain through a coffee filter and add sugar. Stir to dissolve.


rat tail cocktail with garnish

Rat Tail

Photo by Bourbon & Banter

Rat Tail

All of the cocktails at Dallas’ Bourbon & Banter, which is just one of the many food and drink options at The Statler hotel, are named after haircuts to pay homage to the bar’s former salon roots. “I was inspired to pair the earthy, tannic flavor of turmeric with the smoky, peppery flavors tequila and mezcal,” says Kyle Hilla, The Statler beverage director. “The Rat Tail’s garnish is meant to be eaten after you sip the cocktail—adding the perfect balance to the drink with bites of avocado.”

Ingredients:

  • .5 oz. Agave Syrup
  • .75 oz. Lime Juice
  • .5 Piece Turmeric, Diced
  • .5 oz. Suze
  • .5 oz. El Silencio Mezcal
  • 1 oz. Uno Por Favor Blanco Tequila
  • Diced Avocado (to Garnish)
  • Espelette Pepper (to Garnish)
  • Micro Cilantro (to Garnish)

Preparation: Muddle the diced turmeric in the bottom of a shaker tin. Add the rest of the ingredients, save for the garnishes, to the tin with ice. Shake and double strain into a clay cup or rocks glass. Add avocado, pepper and cilantro to a small spoon. Balance it on the rim of the glass, for garnish.


Chakra Opener cocktail with orange garnish

Chakra Opener

Photo by Anya Bacon

Chakra Opener

This pretty libation was created by Pennyroyal bartender Travis Sanders, which is tucked inside the vintage-inspired Kimpton Palladian in downtown Seattle. While all of the ingredients are bold on their own, they come together in perfect harmony in this bright and refreshing lowball.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. Bourbon
  • 1 oz. Blood Orange Juice
  • .5 oz. Cinnamon Simple Syrup*
  • .25 oz. Zucca Amaro
  • 1 barspoon Turmeric Powder
  • Blood Orange Wheel (to Garnish)

Preparation: Add all ingredients, save for the garnish, to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and double strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a blood orange wheel.

*Cinnamon Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 3-4 Cinnamon Sticks

Preparation: Add ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer for about five minutes until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, let cool then remove cinnamon sticks.


To Say Adieu cocktail with garnish

To Say Adieu

Photo by Nathan Elliott

To Say Adieu

If you’re looking for a way to warm up during happy hour, look no further than this Aquavit creation from Bacchus Bar’s Bryan Galligos. If you happen to be in Portland, Oregon, sip this hot-tail while playing pool, shuffleboard or classic video games in the bar’s game lounge.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Krogstad Aquavit
  • .75 oz. Calisaya
  • 1 oz. Lemon Juice
  • 1 oz. Saffron and Turmeric Syrup*
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • Lemon Wheel (to Garnish)

Preparation: Combine liquid ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer until just warm. Pour into a mug and garnish with a lemon wheel.

*Saffron and Turmeric Syrup

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 6 Saffron Threads
  • 1 tbsp. Turmeric Powder

Preparation: Bring the water to a boil. Add sugar, saffron strands and turmeric powder. Reduce heat and allow the sugar to dissolve. Let the saffron and turmeric steep for at least a half an hour. Strain and enjoy.

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