Low calorie cocktails, anybody?

culled from:.tescohealthandwellbeing.com

So, summer is well and truly here and that means barbecues are happening all over the country. Always a fantastic way to while away the weekend, the BBQ can also wreak havoc with your diet. However, by making some simple and healthy swaps you can still enjoy the summer festivities without worrying about those pesky pounds.
Alcoholic drinks and diets are not the best of friends. Alcohol in itself contains calories (which have no nutritional value) but it’s what you have with the bevvies that can cause your weight to creep up. Traditionally most cocktails are filled with artificial, sugary mixers which can contain a whopping 8 teaspoons of sugar (can of coke anybody?), as well as lots of calories. By using some of our simple, tasty and slightly healthier cocktail recipes, you can still have all the fun without the fat.

Low calorie cocktails

Here’s our top five summer low calorie cocktails

MOJITO

• Mint
• Limes
• Low calorie soda water
• White rum
• Ice cubes (crushed)
• Raspberry for garnish

The refreshing export out of Cuba – ignite the ‘aaaariba’ in you! Just crush up your mint leaves in a glass with the ice, add in all other ingredients and enjoy! If using 250ml soda water and 25ml of rum, this comes in at under 60 calories!

CRANBERRY & VODKA

• Light cranberry juice
• Vodka
• Ice cubes
• Cranberries for garnish

Not only and integral part of our low calorie cocktails, cranberries are also packed full of nutrients and antioxidtants! Just make up your cocktail in your favourite glass by adding all the ingredients together. A 150ml serving of light cranberry juice and 25ml of vodka will see your low calorie cocktails come in under 95 calories.

SANGRIA

• Red wine
• Lemon
• Oranges
• Cinnamon
• Basil
• Water
• Ice

Who doesn’t enjoy a nice cold glass of wine on a summer’s day? Jazz yours up with our fruity and spicy additions! Just cut up the fruit into wedges, sqeeze the juice into a pitcher, then throw in the fruit wedges with the cinnamon and basil. Add in the ice, chilled red wine and serve! 150mls of red wine clocks in at about 100 calories

PASSIONFRUIT DAIQUIRI

• Passionfruit
• Lime
• White rum
• Low cal soda water
• Ice crushed
• Mint for garnish

Native to South America, let this fruity cocktail ignite the passion in you! Scoop out the passionfruit flesh, add to a shaker with the lime juice, rum and soda water and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass with ice and enjoy! A 25 ml serving of white rum coupled with the fruit & 250ml low calorie soda water comes in at just 76 cals! That’s four low calorie cocktails for under 100 calories

ITALIAN INSPIRED

• Strawberries (40g)
• Basil leaves
• Balsamic vinegar (1 tsp)
• Vodka
• Soda water to taste

Muddle the strawberries, basil leaves and balsamic vinegar in a mixing glass, then add the vodka (I used 25mls) and soda water (I used 250mls). A little cracked black pepper over the top adds a final flourish. This Italian masterpiece comes in under 84 calories .