Although it is winter in Melbourne, and freezing cold (in my opinion any case) - the sun is still shining! When I see blue sky and the sun shining outside, all I want to do is chill out on a banana lounge cocktail in hand. This recipe below is normally the cocktail that sits in my hand, however at the moment it is enjoyed inside whilst I am rugged up in a jumper, jacket and jeans - not outside in a bikini.
 
This mix acts as a double whammy - you can pretend it's summer whilst also fighting off winter colds. It contains fresh pineapple juice which will give you your awesome Vitamin C dosage, it contains thiamine and Vitamin B6 to stablize your blood sugar levels, boost the immune system and give you some roaring energy. On top of this, it's rich in potassium, promoting kidney health - and helping balance your electrolytes! This spikey haired beauty also acts as a digestive aid, and contains bromelain an anti-inflammatory enzyme. 

Next ingredient, you have the coconut water which again replenishes your electrolytes containing around 15 x the amount of potassium you would find in a regular sports drink! It's also packed with magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc to help your body run smooth. Plus, who doesn't love coconut?

Then we have Lucuma, one of my all time favourites. Containing 14 essential trace elements such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, and being a great source of fibre, carbohydrates. It also contains that wonder for our eyes beta-carotene, as well as B3 and iron. Lucuma has been used as anti-inflammatory, for wound-healing (promoting tissue growth) and anti-aging - Ooh lala. I use Lucuma in a lot of my food. I find it acts as a sweetener and has an almost caramel taste. In other words, it is delicious. It will always be a pantry staple for me.

Ingredients
Serves 2
 
Half Pineapple (organic preferable)
1 cup coconut water
1 tsp Lucuma
couple of mint leaves (bruised with your hands)

Place Lucuma into a jug and then pop in your bruised mint leaves. Juice your pineapple and place into the jug as well as adding the coconut water. Hand whisk the ingredients until slightly foamy on top. Alternatively place all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice and shake up. Serve in two glasses on top of ice. Decorate with a couple of mint leaves in each glass with a slice of lemon, lime or orange on the side.

Sip, close your eyes and pretend you're in a tropical paradise.