It’s hot out there, and cool drinks and desserts provide one way to survive the sweltering summer months.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of cool AND healthy drinks with the growing popularity of juice bars.
I mentioned Monsarrat Shave Ice a few weeks ago; here are more options for bringing down your body heat.
Extract Juice Bar
Downtowners looking for a quick start to their day or an afternoon pick-me-up can head to Extract, where owners Mike and Stacy Davis offer an easy introduction to a healthier lifestyle.
While taking your pick of such $7 juice combos as the Surprisingly Sproutstanding (Brussels sprouts, carrot, broccoli, cilantro, lemon and celery) or Powerhouse (broccoli, strawberry, spinach, blueberry and apple), you can read up on the benefits of each ingredient.
They’ll also help you through a juice cleanse if you’re in need of a detox.
At Bishop Square, 1001 Bishop St., Suite 103. Call 312-3263.
Frost City
This is one of my favorite places for Taiwan-style shave ice because of its light-as-air quality and flavors that aren’t treacly sweet. It may not look pretty, but my favorite flavor at the moment is black sesame.
There are always new flavors to try, such as Mudpie, Red Velvet, Cookie Butter or Guava Banana, at $5.95 for a small bowl and $7 large, all accented with fresh fruit and other sweet treats.
At 2570 Beretania St. Call 947-3328.
Impressed Juice
This pop-up juice bar has found a home within Mercury Bar after winning fans at farmers markets from Kailua to Kapiolani Community College.
There are some serious greens in their blends, including mizuna, kale, tatsoi, mustard greens and baby arugula that might be sweetened with some pineapple, apple or watermelon. Impressed’s cold-pressed juices pack vitamins and nutrients from ‘Nalo Farms and Fields of Aloha produce, supporting local ag.
In Chaplain Lane, 1154 Fort Street Mall, open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Visit www.impressedjuice.com.
Lanikai Juice
Every hot spot now has to have a juice bar, and Kakaako’s newest tenant is Lanikai Juice, the company’s fifth store.
The new outpost continues to offer a menu of popular smoothies, such as the Kailua Monkey and Pacific Passion, green smoothies, acai and pitaya (dragonfruit) bowls, plus concoctions for what ails you, from calming inflammation to helping to balance your blood sugar. I’ve grown fond of their cacao milkshake ($5.55), a unique blend of cacao, coconut cream, almond milk, goji berries, almond butter, hemp seeds, blueberries and vanilla protein.
Cold-pressed juices are coming in July.
At 680 Ala Moana Blvd., next to Starbucks. Call 369-1400.
L’Aperitif at La Mer
French-style cocktails inspired by the romance and lore of old Hawaii await at Halekulani, each accompanied by a little morsel from the kitchen, specific to the libation. The Havatini is paired with an oyster topped with lychee-ginger sorbet. Esprit Chanel is a dry martini-style wine aperitif combined with gin and served with foie gras creme brulee. You also have a vodka or no-vodka option for the Chang Apana, refreshing watermelon juice with black pepper and a teaspoon of olive oil. It’s paired with Parmesan phyllo pastry.
Upstairs at La Mer, Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Road. Call 923-2311.
Leahi Health
The original is at 3441 Waialae Ave., but people can’t get enough of these "superfood smoothies" — whether to quench a thirst or as a healthful antidote to wrongs previously ingested — so a second shop opened at Bishop Square.
On the menu are creatively named farm-to-glass combos such as the Tibetan Monk with kombucha, papaya, banana, mint and goji berries; the local-inspired Poi Boy with kombucha, coconut milk, taro, banana, pineapple and honey; and the Jack Johnson, featuring kombucha, almond milk, banana, apple, kale, spinach and honey, all in $5 and $7 sizes.
If you’re hungry, get a filling and nutritious bite to eat as well. I love the kale avocado tacos ($8). If you want a healthy dessert, try the chia pudding parfait ($6) with layers of granola, papaya, pineapple and more. And for snacking, reach for a Powerball ($1.50), a potent protein ball of chopped nuts bound with maple and tahini.
At 1111 Bishop St., Suite 103. Call 548-2062.
Pillbox Pharmacy
A pharmacy is the last place I’d expect to find premium ice cream, but next to the pharmacy counter is a counter and freezer case for devotees of Moose Tracks, Caramel Caribou and Cascade Glacier ice cream.
The "It" flavor is Cascade Glacier’s huckleberry ice cream, and affordable pricing makes it attractive to families with little ones. A one-flavor kiddie cone is $1.75 with tax. A single flavor for adults is $2, and two scoops is $2.75.
At 1133 11th Ave. Call 737-4966.
Salted Lemon
With all the negative reports attached to salt, the last thing we want to do is drink it, but if you’re in optimal health, a little salt helps to combat fatigue by replenishing the body’s salt reserves lost to perspiration.
One way to test this phenomenon is at Salted Lemon, named for the refreshing Asian-style lemon drink ($4) flavored with a balance of sugar, filtered water and salt-preserved lemon. I grew up on these flavors, and now it’s becoming mainstream.
It’s not the only refresher offered here. There’s a full roster of smoothies, blended juices and a build-your-own-juice option that will have you picking one item from three categories of greens, fruits and herb accents such as lemongrass, mint or basil.
At 1723 Liliha St. Call 538-1291.
Via Gelato
No doubt customers walking into this Kaimuki ice cream shop are asking, "Where have you been all my life?" over smooth, light, delicious flavors such as Salted Caramel, Nutter Butter, Shiso Strawberry and Fierce Chocolate, which you can get in cups priced from $3 to $5, or house-made sugar cones from $3.50 keiki size to large ($5).
Flavors rotate daily, and you also have a choice of flavors for affogato, the Italian "drowned coffee" that combines two addictions.
At 1142 12th Ave. Call 732-2800.
Waiola Shave Ice
The new location at Ward Warehouse makes it easier for some to enjoy old-fashioned shave ice and such classic flavors as li hing mui, POG and the Waiola Rainbow combination of strawberry, vanilla and banana flavors.
I like that they start with a small cup (one or two flavors for $2.50) for when you just want a quick refresher before hitting the road, with minimal brain freeze.
At 1050 Ala Moana Blvd. Call 591-9922.
Nadine Kam’s restaurant reviews are conducted anonymously and paid for by the Star-Advertiser. Reach her at nkam@staradvertiser.com.
