Shoo the flu with booze: Four alcoholic drinks that help fight sickness
Make yourself feel good in more ways than one
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This year’s season of flu and doom is set to be an extended one. The moment we crawl out of our H1N1 sickbeds, the regular ol’ winter flu will get us. It’s tempting to just cower at home and bathe in 62 percent ethyl alcohol sanitizer twice a day, but that’s no way to live life. The flu is going to get you one way or another anyway. The best you can do is build up your immune system to reduce the impact of this year’s nasty germs—swine-based or otherwise. Fruit and dairy products are great sources of sickness-curing vitamins, and if you add a little booze, they can even be fun. Here are some tasty, drinkable versions of vitamin-rich food.
Dairy
Why it’s good for you: Dairy is a good source of vitamin D, an unsung hero in the flu battle. Living in sun-deficient and seasonally dreary Wisconsin, you’re almost certainly lacking in this one.
The drink: The Orange Whip at Comet Café (1947 N. Farwell, 414-273-7677) blends vitamin D-rich cream with orange juice, plus a little rum and brandy.
Peaches
Why they’re good for you: Peaches are rich in vitamins A and C, which gives you a double dose of flu-fighting power. It’s commonly known that vitamin C boosts the immune system, but vitamin A plays an important role, too, helping to regulate the body’s defenses.
The drink: The Peach Pleasure at Whiskey Bar (788 N. Jackson St., 414-312-8566) contains a couple of peach liqueurs, orange juice, pineapple juice, and a hunk of frozen peach.
Tomatoes
Why they're good for you: Tomatoes are rich in immunity-building vitamin C.
The drink: It’s not hard to find a Bloody Mary in town, but Trocadero (1758 N. Water St., 414-272-0205) offers five different varieties. They all come with an extra helping of veggies, including asparagus, olives, pickles, and beans.
Passion Fruit
Why it’s good for you: If you’ve been downing a carton of orange juice every day since you heard that H1N1 had taken over the state, you might be ready to mix it up. Switch to passion fruit, which also has a ton of vitamin C.
The drink: Tonga Punch at Foundation (2718 N. Bremen St., 414-374-2587) mixes passion fruit with rum, lemon juice, grenadine, and orange juice. The tropical flavors are like a little sunshine in a cup.
