- These shots are loaded with anti-inflammatory antioxidants to help support immunity.
- Freezing into cubes means you’ll always have a portion ready to melt into hot water.
- Apples and dates bring natural sweetness, while beets lend a stunning red hue.
Packed with tart cranberries, naturally sweet apples, chewy dates and earthy beets, this Anti-Inflammatory Frozen Cranberry-Apple-Beet Shot is as gorgeous as it is good for you. The combination delivers a concentrated boost of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory power. Freezing the mixture into cubes makes it incredibly convenient. Try it once, and you’ll see how easy it is to work this bright drink into your routine. Tips for customizing it to your taste follow below.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- Honeycrisp apples give natural sweetness, but if you prefer a tarter flavor, swap in Granny Smith or Pink Lady.
- Chop the beets into smaller pieces so your blender can whirl them up evenly.
- Make sure the dates are soft and fresh; if they feel dry, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes first to help them blend smoothly.
Nutrition Notes
- Cranberry juice contains a potent antioxidant called anthocyanin that not only gives cranberries their deep red color but also helps to fight oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. Look for 100% cranberry juice so there are no added sugars—only the sugars found naturally in cranberries.
- Honeycrisp apples provide a source of natural sweetness along with immunity-supporting vitamin C and inflammation-fighting flavonoids and polyphenols that can help protect against cancer and promote brain health.
- Beets contain nitrates that get converted into nitric oxide, which helps relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. They also have cancer-fighting antioxidants called betalains that can help reduce inflammation and increase the production of glutathione, which helps support liver and kidney function.
- Medjool dates have a naturally sweet, caramel-like flavor and are the perfect way to add a little sweetness to these shots. Dates contain small amounts of the electrolytes magnesium and potassium, which can help support hydration. Look for pitted options at the grocery store to save yourself a step.
