Summer is the season for get-togethers. Barbeques, cook-outs, happy hours…doesn’t matter what you call it, people like to get together with their friends. Most of these events will involve cocktails and/or beer. This can prove fatal to a diet. The majority of the alcoholic drinks served at these soirees are chock full of unwanted calories. So how do you avoid the calories and still enjoy a few glasses of liquid refreshment, of the alcoholic sort of course.
You can enjoy a cocktail or two at the party and not completely kill your diet. You just need to choose the right drinks. There are plenty of tasty alcohol mixed drinks that are on the low calorie side. Choose an alcoholic beverage that has some of the same alcohols as you would normally drink in other higher calorie choices. Choosing mixed alcoholic drinks comparable to what you normally enjoy will help you avoid giving in to temptation.
When you RSVP the invite make sure you ask your host what alcoholic beverages will be served and ask if they could prepare the drink based on one of the low calorie options listed below. Your host might appreciate being able to offer a low-calorie option to guests. And if the host is unable to honor the request, you could offer to prepare a low-calorie mixed drink in advance and bring it to the party.
· Sour Apple Martini: 2.5ozs of sour mix, .75ozs of vodka, .75ozs of sour apple liqueur. Total calories are only 160. Compare this to a cosmo with 251 calories.
· Mudslide: .75oz of vodka, .75oz Baileys, .75ozs of Kahlua poured over ice. Total calories are 184. Compare this to a White Russian at 338 calories.
· Tequila sunrise: 6.5ozs orange juice, 1oz tequila, splash of grenadine poured over ice. Total calories 209. Compare this to a long island iced tea with 323 calories.
· Mojito: 1.5ozs rum, .5oz of lime juice, 2tsp sugar or sugar substitute, crushed mint poured over ice. Total calories are 132. Compare this to a margarita with 338 calories.