Low-Cal Cocktails
My idea of a hot day is definitely one that includes cocktails. But for those concerned with calories, a good happy hour doesn't have to ruin your diet. Here are some of my favorite summer cocktails, all which clock in at under 200 calories. And we're not talking vodka sodas, either. These drinks celebrate spring and summer fruits, tropical destinations, and warm-weather nights.
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Grape Crush
Having a Grape Crush is like drinking a spiked grape soda minus the artificial flavors, high-fructose corn syrup and food coloring. Susannah from YumSugar put her own spin on a recipe from Butter Restaurant, utilizing muddled red grapes and freshly squeezed lemon juice. What a fun way to get a boost of vitamin C!
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Mojito
Mojitos are made with fresh ingredients and zero-calorie soda water, making the drink a much better choice than both a gin and tonic or rum and coke. 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 mojito recipe.
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Basil Gimlet
Light, refreshing and crisp, a traditional basil gimlet clocks in at 215 calories, but when made with shochu (like in our basil gimlet recipe), it doesn't even hit the 100-calorie mark. Best of all, a basil gimlet feels light going down—the combination of basil and lime gives the cocktail a nice clean taste that isn't heavy at all. Make it even more interesting by muddling some cucumber into the drink.
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Bramble
A mixture of gin, lemon, fresh blackberries, and blackberry liqueur, the bramble is a classic Summer cocktail. Change things up a bit and make it even more warm-weather friendly with this variation of the classic—the tequila bramble. If you're not into blackberries—don't worry! Any Summer berry will do great in this drink.
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Brazilian
Disclaimer: The Brazilian just barely goes over the 200-calorie mark, but that's not bad at all considering it's a tropical-inspired cocktail. If calories are a big concern, just shave a half-ounce of cachaça off the recipe; you'll save about 40 calories in the process, but still have a well-balanced drink. The fresh tropical fruit purée will make you feel like you're drinking a spiked smoothie and wishing you were hanging on warmer shores.
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Ginger Fizz
YumSugar's Ginger Fizz, which gets a double whammy of ginger's medicinal benefits by incorporating both vodka and simple syrup that have been infused with fresh ginger root.
Copa Verde
The avocado in the Copa Verde tips the calorie scale at 300, but I think we can all admit that a few extra calories from avocado go a long way. You wind up with a cocktail full of healthy fats, vitamin C and fiber. That's a first!
Margarita
Before you go out and order a margarita at your local bar or restaurant, make sure they don't use corn syrup-filled margarita mix. If so, skip it and make our margarita recipe at home. Not only will it taste better, but you'll also save major calories. This recipe, which purists will love, has only 144 calories—not a bad way to spend happy hour!
Michelada
Beer drinkers, rejoice! There's even a Summer cocktail for you; a michelada is my go-to drink on a hot Summer day. Refreshing with just the right amount of kick, it's sure to cool you down.
