Adrenal Cocktail Recipe (Inspired by the Singing Canary Drink)

Feeling stressed out or tired but wired? This Low-Carb Adrenal Cocktail tastes great and will help you keep going in the face of the many stressors of modern life. Sip on this drink that's a makeover of the “Singing Canary” drink throughout the day to keep your mind and body happy!

Unlike most adrenal cocktail recipes, it's sugar-free and low-carb by replacing the high carbs in orange juice to get your adrenals in tip top shape. And I've added additional yumminess to make the drink better overall. Enjoy!

With our stressed-out and hurried lifestyles, many people feel that their adrenals are struggling.

The answer? Feed your body the nutrients in this sip-all-day drink and just might find, like I do, that you're able to weather the storms more calmly.

Where the Name “Singing Canary” Comes From

The original recipe for this drink comes from the gals behind Trim Healthy Mama. It's an eating plan that's taking the world by storm. I don't adhere to all aspects of it, but the results of the plan can be helpful for weight loss and overall health improvement.

The original Singing Canary was good, but I felt that it needed some more “something” to counter the turmeric taste for me. So I monkeyed around with some spices and found a combination that works well and adds some extra health benefits to boot.

The end result is a drink that tastes just as good as it is good for you.

Is Adrenal Fatigue Real?

Some people say that adrenal fatigue is a real condition and others say it isn't.

Regardless of what you think about the condition, it's a fact that we are overworked and over-stressed. We are pushing ourselves to the limit and our bodies are taxed with too many toxins.

Bottom Line: our bodies need help.

So whether you think you have a diagnosable condition or not, do yourself a favor and support your body with this adrenal cocktail as it has a lot of ingredients that will support overall health.

Ingredients

This Adrenal Cocktail has many ingredients that support your adrenals, plus many of them just taste great.

• Lemons: I use lemons instead of the orange juice commonly found in adrenal cocktails, which keeps this version much lower in sugar. Whole lemons also provide vitamin C and beneficial plant compounds; when using organic lemons, I include the peel and pith as well.
• Turmeric: A key ingredient in the original Singing Canary and responsible for this drink's bright golden color. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, but it also has a strong earthy flavor—which is one reason I added the spices below.
• Salt: Adds sodium and other minerals and balances the tart lemon and earthy turmeric flavors.
• Vitamin C: Optional, since you're already getting vitamin C from the lemon and baobab. I typically use sodium ascorbate; see the Vitamin C section below for alternatives.
• Baobab: Optional but recommended. This tangy fruit powder adds naturally occurring vitamin C and polyphenols and tastes great as well.
• Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Clove, and Vanilla: These spices round out the turmeric flavor and make the drink much more enjoyable.
• Olive Oil: My preferred fat for this recipe. The original Singing Canary used coconut/MCT oil; olive oil stays liquid when cold and is an easy and source of healthy monounsaturated fat while being less costly and less processed than MCT oil.
• Protein Powder: Adds protein and makes the drink more substantial. Use your favorite quality protein powder or see my recommendations below.

Directions

• Peel the lemon(s) using a sharp knife, leaving as much of the white pith as possible. If using organic lemons, you can use the whole lemon.
• Slice each lemon into quarters. Remove seeds, and place the lemon pieces into blender. Add water and remaining ingredients besides ice cubes. Blend well.
• Place blended mixture into quart jar. Add ice cubes and more water to fill the jar to the top. Stir or cover with a tight lid to shake, and then drink.

Where to Get Quality Protein Powder

There are a lot of protein powders available, but I recommend organic (or those tested for pesticides) only since lots of protein powders on the market are made with ingredients that tend to have a lot of pesticides.

This protein powder is organic and is a complete protein, which is very unusual for a vegan protein powder. It's very reasonable and since it's unflavored, it's perfect for adding to recipes like this one. The company also has test results right on their site which is also highly unusual. Code WNM gets a discount.

If using another vegan protein powder, I highly recommend using an organically-sourced powder. Many of the ingredients in vegan protein powders are crops that many pesticides are used on (pea protein in particular). This organic vegan protein powder is a solid choice but note that it can cause digestive upset in some people.

FAQs & Tips

Should You Drink This All At Once?

You don't want to drink this drink all at once (not that you could, LOL!) because your body can only absorb so much vitamin C at once. You'd basically be wasting the vitamin C.

Make this “Singing Canary” adrenal cocktail in the morning and sip on it all day long. Or make 2 batches, like I do, and sip on it over 2 days.

Do You Need to Take Black Pepper with Turmeric?

It turns out that there is mixed information as to whether or not black pepper needs to be taken to enhance the absorbability of turmeric.

This is a lengthy topic, but in essence:

• The oil in the drink already helps with absorption
• Studies on absorbability of turmeric and black pepper center on focusing on curcumin and piperine, which are portions of turmeric and black pepper
• Turmeric taken with black pepper will likely absorb faster and stay in your bloodstream longer, but whether or not that is what you want depends on what you are taking the turmeric for; in some situations, you might want the turmeric to stay in your digestive system longer.

Vitamin C Alternatives

I referenced sodium ascorbate in my recipe due to there being some concerns regarding the ingestion of ascorbic acid. Also, sodium ascorbate is not acidic so you won't be endangering your tooth enamel more than you already are with the lemon juice. This DIY Swim Spray post has more information on the difference between these two varieties of vitamin C.

If you'd prefer not to take synthetic vitamin C, you can use a natural option like this acerola powder. The company is stellar and code WNM gets 10% off anything on their site. This Homemade Vitamin C is a great option as well.

What Type of Vitamin C Is Best?

Natural is typically best, right? Yes, you get quite a bit of vitamin C from the lemon juice and the peel in this drink, (the peel has more vitamin C than the juice actually), but it might not be enough.

However, in this case, the adrenal glands are what this drink is targeting and they use a LOT of vitamin C. So combining natural plus some synthetic C can be helpful.

Caution for Pregnant Women

Turmeric is typically considered safe during pregnancy when consumed as a food, despite concern that as a supplement, it may stimulate the uterus to cause contractions. However, ginger has similar properties and is often suggested by physicians to treat morning sickness during pregnancy.

The 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in the canary should be considered a safe amount for pregnant women since that is the amount that people in India consume on average through food. However, please consult with your physician if concerned and you can reduce the amount of both turmeric and vitamin C to 1/4 the amount or simply not drink the full two quarts per day.

The full amount of vitamin C is not recommended for pregnant women.

Recipe Notes and Substitutions

• Turmeric: If you’re sensitive to the earthy flavor of turmeric, start with ½ teaspoon and increase to taste. A little extra vanilla or sweetener can also help balance the flavor.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is my preferred oil for this recipe. The original Singing Canary used coconut oil and later MCT oil. Unlike coconut oil, olive oil won’t solidify in the cold drink, and I prefer it to the more expensive MCT oil.
• Protein Powder: Use your favorite quality protein powder. Collagen can also be used, but keep in mind that collagen isn’t a complete protein because it lacks tryptophan. If using collagen I like this brand and code WNM gets a discount.
• Baobab: Baobab is optional, but I recommend it for its pleasantly tangy flavor and naturally occurring vitamin C and other nutrients.
• Vitamin C: The additional vitamin C is optional. I generally prefer sodium ascorbate because it is less acidic than ascorbic acid and tends to be easier on the stomach and teeth. If you prefer a whole-food source, acerola or Homemade Vitamin C Powder are other options.
• Sweetener: Adjust the stevia to taste or use another sweetener you prefer. Since this recipe uses lemon rather than the orange juice and coconut water found in many adrenal cocktails, it can easily be kept low in sugar.
• AIP: Substitute mace for the nutmeg and use an AIP-compatible protein powder or collagen.
• Lemons: If using the entire lemon, I recommend organic lemons since the peel is included.
• Time Saving Tips: If you make this often, my Adrenal Cocktail Powder lets you pre-mix the dry ingredients so you don’t have to measure them every time. I often make a double batch and keep the second batch in the fridge for another day.

Would LOVE to hear what you think about this adrenal tonic!