Although acai's reputation as a cure-all superfood has been questioned lately, there's no denying that the Brazilian berry that became a media darling in recent years is very high in antioxidants--reportedly 57 percent higher than pomegranate. Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) tastes like a cross between blueberry and blackberry with a chocolate finish. Bringing these sweet health benefits to your cocktail glass is Veev, a 60-proof white grain spirit flavored with acai, as well as prickly pear and acerola cherry. Not only can you feel good about counteracting your liver damage when you drink Veev, but the company is progressively green. For every bottle sold, $1 goes toward efforts to restore the Amazon rainforests, and to ensure that harvesting of acai is sustainable. Veev also prides itself on being the only carbon-neutral spirit--the distillery is powered by wind. Distilled from wheat, Veev liqueur mixes like vodka, but its ad campaign hails it as "The End of Vodka," probably to better appeal to mixologists. Brothers Courtney and Carter Reum, both former Wall Streeters, launched Veev in 2007 after encountering acai on a 2003 surfing trip to Brazil. Really, what's not to like? I attended a Veev event last night at Delicatessen, and I'll have details up here soon. In the meantime, try this at the next bar you see Veev in:
Spa Cooler by Veev
2 oz. Veev
4 sprigs of fresh mint
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
4 slices of cucumber
Muddle mint, lime juice, and simple syrup in a mixing glass. Add Veev, cucumber slices, and ice; shake well. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass or double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of cucumber.