anunrefinedvegan

Sometimes when it’s cold and gray out, you want something warm and comforting, and sometimes…you want something as bright and cheerful as the summer sun.  And I don’t know about you, but I’d rather drink a few of these than pound the vitamin C tablets.

Pineapple-Ginger Elixir
Makes enough for 2

4 cups fresh pineapple, cubed
2 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced or microplaned
1/4 cup light coconut milk
2 1/2 tbsp. lime juice
1 tbsp. maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cardamom

Puree the pineapple cubes and 1/2 cup of water in a blender until smooth.  Strain mixture through a fine strainer into a bowl, stirring with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.  Discard (or compost) the pulp.  Return liquid to blender.

Add the coconut milk, lime juice, maple syrup and spices.  Process until smooth.  Serve over ice, if desired, and garnish with additional pineapple and mint sprigs.

(This is a recipe from Vegetarian Times.  It appears here pretty much unchanged – I just reduced the amount of maple syrup.)