Cocktailing that's good for you

Square One organic vodka

Cocktailing is famously good for your social life but notoriously bad for your longevity.

But in recent months, the Valley's bars, restaurants and lounges have begun serving drinks that go beyond "light beer" and low-cal mixers—drinks that are actually good for you.

And while the merits of light beer are debatable (about 18 fewer calories than a regular) and sugar-free mixers do help cut calories, the average regular cocktail still isn't particularly nutritious.

Now that "organic," "green" and "locally sourced" are buzzwords du jour, and everything from supermarkets to car companies are going green, it feels inevitable that bars and nightclubs would too.

A new crop of organic liquors served with all-natural fruit juices, and cocktails made with vitamin-rich mixers, offer health-conscious drinkers a chance to atone for their previous liquor-swilling sins as drinks previously mixed with sugary, high-calorie mixers are now blended with organic juices, green tea and VitaminWater.

But the most posh place to get organic juices mixed with your organic vodka is at True Food Kitchen at Biltmore Fashion Park. Restaurateur Sam Fox opened up the place with Dr. Andrew Weil, a healthy living guru and organic food expert.

"We're not a full bar, but our elixers are outstanding when paired with a shot of Square One organic vodka," said Fox. "We have several drinks that work well as cocktails, too, with mojito and bloody Mary flavors coming through."

He's talking about the Ginger Nojito and the T-Eight, just two of 10 organic fruit and vegetable drinks that all take on a posh spa-bar quality when mixed with a little vodka.

But, drinkers want to know: are there really health benefits to organic juice as compared to non-organic, or VitaminWater as opposed to club soda?

Valley health professionals are mixed about this trend.

"It is such an oxymoron," said Kathleen Woolf, a professor of Nutrition at Arizona State University Polytechnic in Mesa.

Woolf believes that choosing a more health-conscious drink is a good alternative to a calorie-filled cocktail, but cautions that the health benefits of the mixers will never outweigh the effects of the alcohol.

But organic juices can help drinkers avoid hangovers. Regular juices are filled with corn syrup and artificial flavors and colors, whereas organic juices are filled with antioxidants that can help fight the negative effects of alcohol.

Rick Hall, a professor of Nutrition at ASU Polytechnic, said consumer demand for more health-conscious drinks is driving this trend, which also includes the recent addition of organic wines and beers to menus across the Valley.

"Based on the current epidemics of diabetes and obesity, I believe these trends will continue for several years," he said.

Here are four healthy, guilt-free cocktails and wines we love:

Grapefruit Juice and Basil Cocktail
Jade Bar at Sanctuary
What it is: This refreshing cocktail will wake up your taste buds, but is only one of several "healthy" drinks at this Zen-influenced resort, spa and bar, also including the Green Tea-ni. The pink and green cocktail is a combination of fresh grapefruit juice, basil leaves, lemongrass simple syrup and shot of Ketel One Citron vodka.
What it does: The grapefruit juice provides Vitamin C that protects the body from free radicals (harmful molecules) associated with cancer, heart disease and aging. The basil promotes muscle and blood vessel relaxation, keeping things drama-free all night.

Havana Holiday Lemonade
Asia de Cuba at Mondrian Scottsdale
What it is: This super-nutritious cocktail is a mix of organic lemonade and a "healthy serving" (as in more than a shot) of vodka. Fresh organic crushed cranberries and cherries add zest. It's served at a buzz-worthy, elegant restaurant and bar that serves Asian-Cuban fusion cuisine.
What it does: The cranberries are natural sweeteners that provide anti-aging benefits that have the ability to protect against motor and cognitive function losses. (Hello, vodka.) Cherries aid in the prevention of memory loss and keep sleeping patterns normal.

Low-calorie wine list
The Phoenician
What it is: This list of red, white and sparkling wines will have you tingling from head to toe, with only 93 to 110 calories per five-ounce glass, there will be no regrets in asking for a second. The list includes: Bouchard, Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy red wine, Dr. Loosen, Wehlener Sonnenubr, Riesling Kabinett white wine and Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs, Champagne.
What it does: Low calorie drinks keep the weight off. While a cocktail may never be as good as a five-mile run, the calorie difference between low- and high-calorie wines can equal about 10 minutes of brisk walking.
Note: Choosing a low-calorie wine can be difficult, given the Food and Drug Administration does not require nutritional values to be listed on wine labels. So the Phoenician's director of wine, Sean Marron, and the resort's naturopathic physician, Amy Whittington, selected eight, calculating the residual sugars and alcohol content to create a list of "healthier" options.

Moroccan Mint Mojito
Mandala Tea Room
What it is: This tranquil, urban tea lounge infuses organic Square One vodka with Egyptian peppermint and green tea for six hours. Then they add splashes of organic lime juice, agave nectar and sparkling mineral water to create this anti-sugar Mojito, which is perfect for a place that serves only organic and vegetarian food, liquor, teas and wines.
What it does: Square One vodka is made with spring water and organically grown rye from North Dakota. The green tea provides antioxidants and may help speed metabolism. The agave nectar is a calorie-free natural sugar substitute that is approximately 1.4 times sweeter than table sugar.