For those of you who follow along with us on social media, you’ll have seen that we recently attended the Sunkist Citrus for the Senses Event at Planta in Toronto, which was focused around the addition of citrus to your lifestyle and how it can make a positive change in your day-to-day life. Thanks to this exciting partnership, I came to learn that from cocktails to cooking, Sunkist offers so many fantastic ways to work towards a happier and healthier me in 2017.
Along with media friends, we were offered the royal treatment when it comes to citrus upon arrival to one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto. Especially during these long and dreary winter months, it can be hard to find ways to help our bodies and minds feel their best. Thanks in part to Toronto Mixologist Oliver Stern, Wellness Expert Abbey Sharp, Planta Chef David Lee & Registered Dietitian Sue Mah, we toured three distinct stations to learn the simple ways we could use citrus to make life a little brighter.
At the cocktail station, Oliver Stern offered techniques to bring cocktails and mocktails to life in unexpected ways using Sunkist citrus. From infused flavours, to the importance of citrus as a balancing flavour for his creations, I definitely brought home a few ideas for cocktails this winter using citrus. Of the three cocktails created specifically for us, my personal favourite was Oliver’s Blood Hound:
- 1 ounce freshly-squeezed Sunkist® pummelo juice
- 1/2 ounce spiced Moro blood orange cordial, with freshly-squeezed Sunkist® Moro blood orangejuice (see recipe below)
- 1 ounce tequila
- 1/2 ounce aperol1 ounce rooibos tea
- chilled Flamed Sunkist® blood orange zest for garnish
- Zest and juice of 4 Sunkist® Moro blood oranges
- 300 grams of sugar
- 1 6-inch cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Next up, we were invited to join Chef David Lee to discuss trends in winter cooking and how to add a punch to everyday recipes. I was so impressed with his non-conventional use of citrus in recipes that even I had never seen before. The important fact that I took away from the recipes and cooking demonstration was that citrus offers a lot more complexity than “traditional” root vegetables or fruits that one might normally associate with the winter. Not only is it delicious, but the health benefits are impressive! From the recipes, my personal favourite was Chef’s Cara Cara & Avocado Sushi Roll:
Recipe courtesy of Sunkist® and Chef David Lee
Thirdly, the always inspiring Abbey Sharp shared ways to use the refreshing taste & soothing essential oils of oranges and lemons to pamper yourself in your very own home! I think a lot of us don’t take nearly enough time to take care of ourselves. I know that I am guilty of always worrying about others first, which usually results in me feeling run down and out of sorts in the winter months. Abbey’s tips were incredible useful, especially her Blood Orange Ginger Scrub!
Recipe courtesy of Sunkist® and Abbey Sharp
And of course a HUGE thank you to Registered dietitian Sue Mah, who was able to follow us along all night long to each station to add to the discussion, elaborating on the various holistic health benefits of citrus. Be it in a cocktail, recipe or health tip, it is clear to see that Sunkist is a fantastic way to brighten up those gloomy months ahead.
Here are just a few of my favourite moments from a spectacular evening with Sunkist with some of my favourite people:
Feeling inspired for a sensory experience of your very own? Make sure to head to www.sunkist.com for more information on these Sunkist citruses, recipes & so much more to keep you happy and healthy in 2017. To join in the social media conversation, make sure to follow @Sunkist on Twitter, @SunkistGrowers on Instagram & ‘Like’ their Facebook Page. Share your favourite recipe and / or health tip using the #SunkistCitrus hashtag– we can’t wait to see what you come up with!
For more behind the scenes of this and other amazing brands we are working with around the world, make sure to follow along with the #DoTheDaniel Instagram account. We would love to have you join on our adventures! AND yes. we’re on Snapchat too! – click here to follow us!
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Photos: All social media accounts listed above, Sunkist & Daniel Reyes
Cheers!
*Please note that this is a sponsored post – our disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.
* Mobile photos taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge