Healthier Holiday Cocktails

Healthier Holiday Cocktails ! 

Let’s face it – it’s a holiday and many of us want to celebrate with a cocktail. However you don’t want to drink them all away in one day. Here are some healthier alternatives to try !

Fourth of July Shot

Delicately balancing the colors of our flag, this shot involves strategically pouring one layer of liquor over another, resulting in vibrant red, white and blue stripes.

Ingredients:

·         1/2 ounce of grenadine

·         1/2 ounce of vodka

·         1/2 ounce of blue curacao

Directions:

Note: Be sure to pour ingredients into a shot glass in the order they are listed, as they are arranged by weight.

1.   Begin by pouring the grenadine.

2.   Next, pour the vodka, which should float above the grenadine.

3.   Finally, pour the blue curacao, which should float above the vodka.  

The Yankee Doodle

This ice-blue cocktail combines berry vodka with the bite of sour mix, providing a refreshing and tangy Fourth of July treat.

Ingredients:

·         1 part blue raspberry-flavored vodka

·         2 parts sour

·         1 part tonic

 Directions:

1.   Combine ingredients in a glass tumbler.

2.   Serve over ice.

Pina Colada Cooler

Registered dietitian Carolyn O'Neil can't understand why a pina colada was ever paired with a bathing suit. "It is one of the most caloric drinks you can imagine consuming," she tells us. An 8-ounce pina colada can pack in 640 calories -- over 100 calories more than a Quarter Pounder with Cheese. O'Neill slimmed down this dangerously delicious drink for us -- phew! -- and the results are just as refreshing as the original.

1 1/2 ounces coconut-flavored rum 
3 ounces pineapple juice 
4 ounces sparkling water 
1 tablespoon of Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut Lite (found in the drink mixers section of many supermarkets)

Pour ingredients over ice and stir.

Calories: 165

Blueberry Lemon Breeze

10 blueberries 
3/4 ounce light agave nectar, such as Wholesome Sweeteners, available at Whole Foods or other natural foods stores
1 1/2 ounces gin 
3/4 ounce lemon juice 
Splash of champagne (about 1 ounce)

In a shaker, muddle* together blueberries and agave. Add the gin and lemon juice, then shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain contents of shaker into a martini glass and then top with champagne. Garnish with 3 blueberries on a cocktail stick.

Calories: 205

Mimosa Lite

2 ounces Minute Maid Light Orange Tangerine Juice
4 ounces champagne
Juice of 1/2 medium-size orange, or 1 to 2 ounces

Add several ice cubes to a tall glass. Squeeze the juice of the orange into the glass. Pour in orange tangerine juice, followed by champagne. Stir. Garnish with fresh orange rinds, curled.

Calories: 120

Blended Raspberry Cocktail

Another sip tip: Using tall glasses (10 ounces and above) means you'll refill -- and fill up on calories -- less often.

1/2 cup ice or several ice cubes
8 ounces Minute Maid Light Raspberry Passion
1 1/2 ounces vodka

Combine ingredients in a blender. Garnish with several fresh raspberries.

Calories: 115

Strawberry-Citrus Vodka Cocktail

2 strawberries 
1 sprig of mint 
3/4 ounce light agave nectar, such as Wholesome Sweeteners
1 3/4 ounces citrus vodka 
3/4 ounce lemon juice

In a shaker, muddle together mint and strawberries, then add the remaining ingredients. Shake vigorously with ice for 20 seconds. Pour entire contents of shaker into a tall glass. (Include all of the mint and strawberry pulp.)

Calories: 259

Mojito Makeover

2 ounces light rum
1 ounce Splenda syrup, Da Vinci's Sugar Free Sweetener Syrup
1 ounce lime juice
7 mint leaves
Splash of club soda

In a shaker, muddle mint leaves and a lime wedge. Add ice and other ingredients and shake. Pour into tall glass and top with soda.

Calories: 140

Choco-lite Cocktail

1 ounce Godiva chocolate liqueur 
1 ounce vodka
1/2 cup nonfat milk 
1 teaspoon Hershey's Syrup Lite (for lining rim of glass)

In a shaker, combine chocolate liqueur, vodka, and milk with crushed ice. Shake to mix. Pour into glass.

Calories: 227

Grapefruit Basil Martini

2 basil leaves 
1 ounce grapefruit juice 
1 ounce Da Vinci's Sugar Free Sweetener Syrup
1 3/4 ounces gin 
Splash of sparkling wine

In a shaker, muddle basil and syrup. Add syrup and gin and shake hard with ice for 20 seconds. Strain ingredients into a martini glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Calories: 161