Summer fruits are a refreshing and flavorful addition to your cocktails! Here are some low calorie drinks to toast with using the best produce summer has to offer. Reduce the sugar by using a simple syrup made with agave or all-natural sugar substitute and water. Keep your wits and calories in check by alternating with water, soda water, or iced tea.
Watermelon Cooler
1/4 cup seeded watermelon (sliced into large chunks)
1/4 oz simple syrup or dash or agave nectar
1/4 oz elderflower liquor
1 1/2 oz vodka
Muddle watermelon with simple syrup. Add elderflower liquor and vodka. Shake over ice and strain into martini glass or over ice. Garnish with cube of watermelon or mint leaf. Savor this treat at only 150 calories per cocktail.
Blackberry Classic
1 1/2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
1/4 oz simple syrup or agave nectar
dash of bitters
1/4 cup blackberries
1 orange slice
soda water
Fill a glass with ice. Add first three ingredients and garnish with blackberries and an orange peel. Fill the remainder of the glass with soda water. Enjoy at only 100 calories.
Cucumber Margarita
4 slices of cucumber
1 1/2 oz tequila
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz lime juice
basil leaves
Muddle cucumber with lime juice in a martini shaker. Add all other ingredients
and fill shaker with ice. Shake until well combined. Strain into a glass filled with ice. We’ve reduced the sugar by using fresh lime juice and triple sec instead of sweet lime juice or sour mix, each drink is only 110 calories.
Red Sangria
1 cup triple sec
1 bottle red wine
chopped fruit (pick your favs – oranges, apples, blueberries, strawberries, etc.)
soda water to taste
Chop fruit and cover with triple sec. Add red wine and refrigerate covered for 1
hour. Pour into glass with ice and top with soda water. Sip this at 180 calories
per glass, by eliminating the juice, brandy, and swapping soda water for
sugary soda you’re saving 200 calories.
Want it white? Use lighter colored fruits like peaches, green apples, lemons, or
nectarines, and sweeten with agave nectar or simple syrup.
