I once read that the Greeks boiled and ate leafy greens as a cure for drunkenness. I realized kale has not made its way into the cocktail world yet. While a kale cocktail may not cure drunkenness, try mixing up a few of these after your next yoga class. 

The earthiness of the kale in this cocktail is balanced by the sweetness of the honey and the spice of the cayenne. I like using grapefruits because I can urban forage them in the early spring around the same time my kale is at its best. Feel free to substitute lime or lemon for the grapefruit.

Makes one drink

Ingredients

• ¾ ounces tequila
• ¾ ounces Mezcal
• ¾ ounce fresh grapefruit juice
• 3 ounces fresh kale juice (from about one bundle of kale, I prefer Lacinato but any variety will work)
• ½ ounce honey
• One shake of cayenne pepper
• Honey, salt and cayenne for rim of glass

Procedure

1. Rub honey lightly around the rim of a rocks glass. Spread salt and cayenne on a small plate and gently roll the rim of your glass in the spice mixture. 
2. Use a juicer to juice your kale. One handful of kale (about 7 oz.) will make about 3 ounces of kale juice. Feel free to substitute some of the kale for something sweeter like an apple or cucumber if this drink is too ‘kaley’ for you.
3. Add kale juice and the other ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add ice to above the liquid level. Shake.
4. Strain into a rocks glass. Enjoy.

Learn how to grow your own kale by reading:

Kale, it’s Still Cool: How to Grow Kale