Get Your Drink On

Some of you may look at this post and think it is funny that after posting something about being stressed I then write about drinks, even though I suggest finding positive outlets. I want it to be known that I have not drank as a means of alleviating my stress this finals week. In fact I have not drank in months at this point because alcohol is simply empty calories and I've also been on antibiotics that insist not drinking while taking. I also however am very aware that 'tis the season for booze. Christmas parties, New Years and several of my friends (myself included) have birthday's and part of the going out process normally involves a drink or two. Thinking about this and trying to take that in to account I have come across low-calorie cocktails from http://www.fitness.com/. So here they are!

Bluberry-Lime Margarita's:

Servings: 2 servings

Prep: 10 mins

Total: 10 mins

Ingredients

2 cups  ice

1 cup  frozen blueberries

1 cup  blueberry nectar

1/4 cup  seltzer

2 tablespoons  frozen limeade

1 tablespoon  lime juice

3 ounces  tequila, optional

1   lime wedge

  Coarse salt

Directions

1. Combine ice, blueberries, blueberry nectar, seltzer, limeade, lime juice and tequila, if using, in a blender and blend until smooth. Rub rim of 2 glasses with lime wedge and dip in salt. Divide the margarita between the prepared glasses and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 125, Total Fat 1 g, Sodium 14 mg, Carbohydrate 29 g, Fiber 2 g, Potassium 147 mg. Exchanges: Fruit 2.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

 

Island Limeade

Servings: 4 servings

Prep: 10 mins

Total: 1 hr

Ingredients

3 cups  boiling water

1/3-1/2 cup  sugar

1 1/4 cups  freshly squeezed lime juice

6 ounces  dark rum

Directions

1. Combine boiling water and sugar to taste. Stir until the sugar dissolves; chill. Add the lime juice to make limeade. Fill 4 tall glasses with ice and divide the rum among the glasses. Top with the limeade. Non-alcoholic variation: Omit the rum.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 182, Sodium 7 mg, Carbohydrate 23 g, Potassium 93 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin A 38%. Exchanges: Other Carbohydrate 1.5.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

 

Watermellon Gin Fizz

Servings: 4 servings

Prep: 10 mins

Total: 45 mins

Ingredients

5 cups  diced watermelon, divided

6 ounces  gin, divided

8 tablespoons  lime juice, divided

1 1/3 cups  ginger ale, divided

  Lime wedges, for garnish

Directions

1. Freeze 1 cup watermelon for garnish. Puree the remaining 4 cups watermelon. Strain; divide the juice among 4 ice-filled glasses.

2. Top each with 1 1/2 ounces gin, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1/3 cup ginger ale. Garnish with the frozen watermelon and lime wedges. Non-alcoholic variation: Omit the gin.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 153, Sodium 4 mg, Carbohydrate 14 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g, Potassium 180 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin A 17%, Vitamin C 25%. Exchanges: Fruit 1.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

 

Blueberry Ginger Bellini

Servings: 4 servings

Prep: 10 mins

Total: 15 mins

Ingredients

1/2 cup  blueberries

1 tablespoon  minced ginger

1 tablespoon  sugar

  Juice of 1/2 lemon

2 cups  blueberry juice

1/2 cup  sparkling wine, divided

Directions

1. Mash blueberries with ginger, sugar and lemon juice. Add blueberry juice and let steep for at least 5 minutes. Strain; divide among 4 champagne flutes. Top each with 1/2 cup sparkling wine.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 185, Sodium 23 mg, Carbohydrate 25 g, Protein 1 g, Potassium 25 mg. Exchanges: Fruit 1.5.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

 

Campari, Grapefruit & Pomegranate Cocktail

Servings: 6 servings

Prep: 10 mins

Total: 10 mins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups  grapefruit or orange juice

1 1/2 cups  pomegranate juice

1 1/2 cups  ice cubes, plus more for serving

3/4 cup  Campari

6 twists of  orange zest, or 6 thin slices of seedless orange

Directions

1. Combine grapefruit (or orange) juice, pomegranate juice and ice cubes in a blender. Blend until the ice is very finely chopped and the mixture is foamy and pale pink. Transfer to a pitcher and stir in Campari. Serve over ice, garnished with a twist or slice of orange.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 145, Sodium 5 mg, Carbohydrate 26 g, Potassium 213 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin C 38%. Exchanges: Fruit 1,Other Carbohydrate 1,Alcohol Equivalent 1.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet