A Wiser Way to Enjoy Your Happy Hour

(NewsUSA) - As health becomes a bigger concern for many people, more Americans are looking to have a great night out after work or on the weekends, and have an even healthier tomorrow, in other words, no hangover.

Premade drink mixes contain excess sugar, which can cause calories to add up quickly. With fruity drinks like strawberry margaritas and pina coladas containing over a thousand calories per glass, getting tipsy can help tip scales in the wrong direction.

But don't give up on your happy hour yet. A healthy diet contains enough room for the right cocktails.

In a study reported by Reuters, U.S. and Thai researchers found that ethanol, the type of alcohol found in spirits, boosts disease-fighting properties in fresh fruits and vegetables, maybe an Appletini a day can keep the doctor away.

Bar goers should stay away from drinks like Long Island Iced Tea, which contains five different alcohols, sugary sweet-and-sour mix and high-calorie cola.

Some producers are helping people make wiser drinking choices. The answer comes from a secret Asian blend, TY KU, that combines some of the ancient drinking traditions spanning across Asia. The ingredients read like an exotic health nut's shopping list. The liqueur includes antioxidant-rich yuzu (an Asian citrus fruit), mangosteen, green tea, yerba-maté, ginseng, honeydew and Tibetian Goji berries.

Green tea, Goji berries and honeydew are commonly listed as "power foods", foods that boost health, immunity and energy.

The liqueur, which just won the Five Star Diamond award by the International Academy of Hospitality Science, is ideally mixed into your favorite cocktail to take out some of the calorie- and sugar-ridden ingredients. Examples include the TY KU margarita, which is just two parts TY KU, one part tequila, a splash of fresh sour and a splash of soda. Also, try the TY KU mojito, which requires no muddling for bartenders, yet keeps the traditional taste of the mojito with just a fraction of the calories. The TY KU mojito contains two parts TY KU, crushed mint leaves, a splash of light rum, a squeeze of lime and a splash of soda. For a simpler twist, just add your favorite lemonade to TY KU.

For more information, visit www.trytyku.com.