Hi Friends! Today’s post is going to be short and sweet but I hope to cover something that I’ve been asked about a lot lately–Low Calorie Cocktails. Recently, I’ve had friends and clients ask me, “how can I attend these holiday cocktail parties, enjoy a nice festive drink and not over indulge?”
It’s a great question since alcohol is usually lumped into that “empty calorie” category. When you’re worried about calories, drinking the wrong cocktail can make all the difference. Two drinks out can suddenly turn into a 1,000-calorie night. But tis this season, right? Let’s not forgo all the fun for the sake of our skinny jeans!
Let me start by saying that I’m not the biggest drinker so cocktail recipes aren’t really a big part of my repertoire. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy some nice tequila now and again but I tend to leave festive cocktails to the professionals. I can however, point you all in the right direction. There are smart “er” choices that you can make when it comes to cock tailing.
Sugar tends to be the big culprit here. There are some easy ways to keep your cocktails skinny, like using seltzer or coconut water as a mixer and, instead of fruit juice (it cuts the calorie count almost in half!), using fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and oranges to naturally sweeten the drink instead of high-calorie purees. I did some recipe research (all in the name of some holiday fun) and found some great options. All delicious and all under 200 calories.
- The Classic Mojito: Low in sugar and light in calories, the classic Cuban cocktail is even better with the addition of fresh fruit like strawberries, mangoes, or pineapple. Adding fruit is a win-win, since it allows you to cut down on the amount of sugar in the classic recipe
- Pomegranate Rosemary Martini: I love that this recipe was adapted by a nutritionist who decided to up that ‘anti-oxidant ante’ in this classic drink. This is a festive drink I can really feel good about drinking.
- Mulled Wine: This sounds like the perfect choice for a nice cold night. Mulled wine has long been a holiday favorite. It contains no fat, heart-healthy red wine and lots of beneficial spices.
If you can’t find any of the above at your next holiday soiree, I’d choose a glass of champagne. Coming in at less than 90 calories and about as festive as they come, champagne is the winner in my book. And by now, you all know how I feel, everything in moderation! Cheers to you and yours this holiday season. Xo Janine.
