Set on a sunny corner of Jervois Road is a beautiful new haven for health. Liquid Lightning is the brainchild of naturopath Grace Miller and Jane Wilson (a wellness entrepreneur who established the Exercise Room in 2004 as the first luxury gym in New Zealand) and has opened as the perfect place for those seeking to kick-start their day, boost their mood or find a place to escape for a moment of peace. Here, between raw stone bench tops and lilac floors, punters will find cabinets lined with fresh-pressed juices, a menu of nutrient-dense smoothies and coolers dosed with adaptogens, fresh coffee and an array of natural health products and supplements.
“I wanted to create a space where the people could start making their health a habit, and an important part of their daily routine,” Miller explains, going on to tell me that what really sets Liquid Lightning apart, is its focus on functional health, grounded in proven wellness practices. “There is no skimping on ingredients here,” she emphasises. “Every drink on our menu is made with medicinal doses of supplements and adaptogens to offer a real, noticeable effect on mood and overall health.” Indeed, Miller is working to prove the true power of natural, food-based remedies when prepared by someone who knows what they’re doing. The drinks at Liquid Lightning, whether you opt for a juice, a smoothie or something else, not only promise to boost mood and make you feel physically better but are making it easier than ever to prioritise your health and lay some good foundations for the year ahead.
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In Liquid Lightning’s large juice fridge, you will find options like the ’04’, made with pineapple, cucumber, jalapeño, ginger, lemon and mint, designed to help with regularity, enhance enzymes and give an endorphin boost. The ’07’ is another standout, made with blueberry, apple, basil and tulsi to deliver a strong dose of antioxidants and help with muscle recovery and emotional balance. Those seeking a serious hit of greens will find it in the ’03’, where cos, celery, spinach, parsley, fennel and lime make for a mineral-rich concoction that will cleanse the kidneys and give a burst of phytonutrients.
There is also a menu of satiating smoothies for those seeking something more substantial. Made to order and packed with functional doses of supplements and fresh ingredients, these drinks offer a healthy pick-me-up to cure any craving. The Morning Glory, for instance, will start any day with a bang thanks to its potent combination of cold brew coffee, cacao, MCT oil, coconut milk, a medicinal mushroom blend, vanilla, cinnamon, dates, tocos, and a touch of chai spice. This particular combination harnesses healthy fats to deliver sustained energy throughout the day, as well as fibre to support bone health and subtle spices to soothe digestion and balance blood sugar. Tocos are rice bran solubles that are very high in vitamin E and work to protect and nourish the skin.
Elsewhere, the Glow Up smoothie is an anti-inflammatory concoction that is said to bolster the immune system thanks to its combination of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, bananas, goji berries, coconut oil, marine collagen, l-glutamine and buckwheat crackle. It is said to be able to help with eye and skin health thanks to the powerful antioxidants delivered by the berries and the gut-soothing and microbiome-boosting benefits of l-glutamine.
Liquid Lightning’s menu also features a raft of Iced Coolers, each designed as a refreshing thirst quencher, packed with adaptogens. For those unfamiliar, an adaptogen refers to certain foods, mushrooms, herbs and plants that both protect the body and help it heal from the effects of stress (the root cause of numerous ailments). They are considered nature’s antibiotics and are some of the most effective remedies against illnesses.
If you’re feeling low, opt for the Adrenal Cocktail, made with fresh orange juice, coconut water, ocean minerals, rhodiola and sea salt. Rhodiola is a traditional Chinese medicine known for its fortifying properties. When ingested, it can encourage endurance, combat fatigue, lower cortisol and increase cardiovascular function. The inclusion of sea salt also makes this drink deeply hydrating and encourages better blood flow and oxygenation throughout the body.
Alternatively, the Island Time cooler is perfect for those seeking a skin boost. It is made with pineapple, cucumber, mint and sparkling water and is packed with marine collagen — the key ingredient in achieving a glowing visage.
Other adaptogenic benefits can be garnered from Liquid Lightning’s coffee offering, where iced lattes are laced with a range of supplements to deliver an added boost to your morning Joe. The Sesame Sunrise offers a delicious twist in the form of cold brew coffee combined with tahini, black sesame and shatavari (an energising adaptogen known for delivering radiant skin and hair and supporting women’s hormonal health), whereas the Too Matcha sees a classic matcha latte bolstered with coconut butter.
Alongside all the delicious drinks, Miller explains that there will also be Supreme Coffee on filter, a selection of salads and small bites and a line-up of high-quality, practitioner-only supplements and health products for those who want to continue their health journey at home. We hear that there will also be a raft of juice and drink subscription offerings coming in the near future, which will be designed to help you address specific health concerns from the comfort of your home. (Watch this space.)
Drawing us in with its beautiful fit-out and keeping us there with its nutritious beverages, Liquid Lightning is the perfect place to recharge, relax and rediscover your sense of wellbeing. Here, health has been bottled, and for once we’re buying into the hype.
Liquid Lightening has now closed its Jervois Road store.
