Most of us are looking for a cocktail we can enjoy on a hot summer afternoon or at the end of a long day that won’t blow our healthy eating plan. Alcoholic beverages are extra calories (meaning too many of them will add pounds without adding nutrients), but that doesn’t mean you have to skip them altogether. You just have to be careful about your consumption. Below are some recipes for “skinny” cocktails, courtesy of Bethenny Frankel (I’m slightly embarrassed to admit), and here are some general tips for including alcohol in your diet without gaining weight.
Skinnygirl Sangria
Serves 6 to 8
Sangria is normally heavy, syrupy, and high calorie. This one is a refreshing change of pace.
6 peaches, sliced into wedges
4 golden plums, sliced into wedges
1 pound of green grapes split in half
3 bottles of Prosecco
1 can of diet lemon lime soda
1 can of club soda
Combine all ingredients into a large pitcher and add ice. Chill for an hour to set or serve immediately.
*Turn this into Red Sangria by using a light to medium-bodied red wine instead of Prosecco, and adding red/black plums, red grapes.
Skinnygirl Mojito
Serves 2
Mojitos made with mixes have a lot of sugar. This one won’t weigh you down or make you feel like you just drank your dessert.
2 limes, 1 cut into wedges and 1 juiced
Small handful torn fresh mint leaves
2 cups ice
1/2 teaspoon of honey, gently warmed (microwave for 5 seconds)
3 ounces light rum
8 ounces club soda
Fresh mint sprig and lime wedge for garnish
In a martini shaker, muddle the lime and mint with a pestle or a long spoon until well bruised and fragrant. Add 1 cup of ice and the lime juice.
Combine the honey, rum and club soda in a glass or small bowl. Stir gently to dissolve the honey. Add this combination to the muddle mixture. Stir until the mixture is well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with the mint sprig and lime wedge.
Skinnygirl Cosmo
Cosmos are such a popular drink, but very sweet. This version tastes delicious and has just a fraction of the sugar and the calories.
Serves 1
2 ounces of vodka
2 ounces club soda
splash of cranberry juice
Juice from 2 lime wedges plus 1 lime wedge to garnish
Combine all of the ingredients except the garnish in a shaker full of ice. Stir and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with the lime wedge.
Skinnygirl American “Virgin”
You can make this a true virgin drink as is (no alcohol), or you can make it with peach vodka in place of the peach juice.
Serves 1
2 ounces of peach juice
2 ounces of club soda
splash of orange juice
splash of lemonade
lemon wedge for garnish
Combine all of the ingredients except the garnish in a shaker full of ice and stir to blend. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with lemon wedge.
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