Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
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78 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY_LV/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES (BACKGROUND); COURTESY OF ZICO; COURTESY OF VOSS; COURTESY OF GLOW BEVERAGES (BOTTLES) Eau là là! Following a flood of new releases, posh water has ascended to a summer-drinks staple. DRINK ME IS "HEALTHY COCKTAILS" AN OXYMORON? NOT THIS SUMMER, THANKS TO GOOD OL' H 2 O! BY CHRISTINA CLEMENTE Gone are the days of sugar- and calorie-laden piña coladas and syrupy frozen margaritas. Today's more health-minded consumers are looking for ways to lighten up their summer sips—and that means new takes on nature's favorite beverage: water. It starts with upscale Norwegian brand Voss (vosswater.com) , which debuts flavored sparkling waters in lemon-cucumber and tangerine-lemongrass. "Flavored sparkling is a change of pace to plain bottled water," says Voss's Ken Gilbert, and is the ideal mixer: Both flavors are all-natural and calorie-free. Gilbert suggests pairing either flavor with summer- faves vodka, gin, or tequila. While the latest offerings from Zico coconut water (zico.com) are non-fizzy, the health benefits—fiber, electrolytes—are notewor- thy. Try one of the brand's chilled juice blends, such as pineapple-mango or strawberry-banana, with your booze of choice, or opt for a margarita using the California brand's signature coconut water plus tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. New to the scene is another CA company, Glow Beverages, which has released Sparkling Hydration and Sparkling Energy, two bubbly, mango- apricot flavored concoctions that pack the brand's X-factor: a blend of amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. Glow CEO and founder, Dr. John Larson, recommends reaching for either in between cocktails in lieu of plain water, "which offers no added benefit aside from hydration." Another plus? The all-natu- ral, five-calorie blends battle the effects of a late night on the town. Bottoms up! . SCENE TREND