So, what’s the purpose of happy hour? Blow off some steam after work? Get a boost of happiness from a bottle after a tough day? Yeah, sure, if you have nothing else to do for the rest of the night. We propose this alternative for those of us that have a 6PM pilates class or a post-work heavy lifting session. Or, really, anything else you do in the evening that would be hard to do with a three-martini buzz going.
Black tea is the base of our Happy Hour shot. It contains caffeine, but not in the mega dose of an energy drink. It has just enough to help you with late afternoon focus for those tough couple hours at the office or a long evening run. Black tea is also packed with antioxidants, so you can feel good about your little energy boost. And a recent study indicates that it may help to lower a stress hormone. And, when you get down to it, isn’t de-stressing the point of happy hour?
Maca root powder is newer to the wellness scene than black tea, but its benefits are compelling. A couple studies have linked it to improvements in libido while others show how the root can help support mood improvements in post-menopausal women. A study in male cyclists, as well as multiple animal studies, indicate that the root may benefit endurance performance. Its macronutrient profile also makes maca root an attractive supplement as a teaspoon serving contains 4 g carbohydrates and 1 g protein.
Vanilla extract is a popular flavoring for healthful snacks as it sweetens without adding sugar while providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some health pundits theorize that it is the latter that are at least partially responsible for vanilla’s purported mental health benefits.
And finally, there’s Lypo-Spheric®B Complex Plus. The B vitamins are best known as critical components of the cellular energy production process, i.e., the conversion of food into energy. This is the sustained, natural energy that powers you through mid-afternoon slumps without jitters or crashes. It’s what enables you to eat with efficiency.
Each of the eight B vitamins performs crucial functions in the brain, contributing to brain cell health and synthesizing serotonin.
How to Make the Happy Hour Shot
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. maca root powder
- 1 black tea bag or 1 cup black iced tea, unsweetened
- 1 packet of Lypo-Spheric® B Complex Plus
Instructions:
- Prepare 6 oz. of black tea of your choice as instructed on the packet. Or use 8 oz. of your favorite unsweetened black iced tea.
- Stir in the maca root powder.
- Add the vanilla extract.
- If working with freshly brewed tea, add a couple ice cubes for rapid cooling.
- Pour an ounce of the mixture into your LivOn Labs shot glass.
- Squeeze a packet of Lypo-Spheric® B Complex Plus into the shot glass.
- Throw it back like any other shot.
Epilogue: Pour the remainder into a mason jar and refrigerate to use for the rest of the week. Or, stick a straw in it and sip away.
