Summer may be coming to an end but the happy hours for cocktail lovers are still on. Summer and spring seem to inspire some of the most yummy and exotic cocktails. It is a season that helps you go beyond the traditional gin and tonic and encourages you to mix up cocktails and mocktails.
The problem is that nowadays there are many cocktails that are laden with sugar and calories. And although one drink might not be so damaging, two or three can really start to add up. The current epidemic of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity is directly linked to sugar and calories. Certainly, these cocktails are quite capable of derailing your health plan. To keep health in mind while quenching a scorching thirst, here are a few healthy cocktails:
- Cosmopolitan: If you watch the sitcom Sex and the City, you must be familiar with The Cosmopolitan which is basically a mix of vodka and cranberry juice. You can lower the count of this 130-calorie drink by using diet cranberry juice and replace the vodka with a bottle of Ty Ku Soju, an Asian spirit that contains lesser calories.
- Strawberry Daiquiri: It is a wonderful cocktail made from light rum, lime juice, sugar or sugar syrup, and frozen strawberries. You can skip the whipped cream, replace the Sugar with an artificial zero calorie sweetener and limit the rum to one ounce (around 30 ml).
- Margarita: The most popular cocktail of summer is certainly the margarita. It is a mixture of tequila, and lemon, or other fruit juices. Eliminate the sugar and you'll keep your drink mean and lean.
- Mojito: Problem with the Mojito is that the sugar adds to the taste of this Cuban specialty, helping release the mint flavor. However, the sugar also increases the calorie count to 145 calories. Using a sugar substitute such as stevia, enhances the mint's flavor and saves a lot of calories.
- Piña Colada: The piña colada can tip the calorie scale to 650 calories in one serving. Substitute the coconut cream for some lite coconut milk and combine it with pineapple juice, sparkling water and a little rum.
- Bloody Mary: It is a fantastic cocktail that combines tomato juice, vodka drink, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and/or hot sauce. You can limit the vodka to one ounce (30 ml) and use low-sodium tomato juice instead.
- Lynchburg Lemonade: A refreshing combination of Jack Daniel, lime soda and vodka can pack as many as 350 calories and 33 grams of carbs. Use fresh lemon juice and Splenda and combine it with orange extract and vodka instead of triple sec, you'll save half the calories and 90% of the carbs.
- Apple Martini: It is a sweet drink made with vodka and apple schnapps, and sometimes contains sweet and sour mix. Reduce the serving of alcohol to one oz. (30 ml) each and eliminate the sweet and sour mix.
- Sangria: It is combination of wine-and-fruit and is pretty harmless unless you have added alcohol, fruit juices and sugar. Stick to the traditional recipe and you would save a lot of calories.
Clearly, summer drinks are the best part of the summer along with beautiful sun shine and beach. Make sure you apply your common sense when making your cocktails and stay away from unwanted calories.
