Sooo… I think I’m going to have to start doing more cocktail recipes on the blog here guys… I always talk about how fabulous it is having an excuse to test out chocolate cake recipes on a Wednesday, but let me tell you… it is fabulous being able to test cocktail recipes on a Saturday afternoon. Or Wednesday night… or Thursday.. :) So please forgive me for any typos.. its all in the name of blog research..
With New Years Eve on Monday I thought this would be the perfect time to post an LBD approved cocktail recipe! Bar cocktails are notorious for being loaded with empty calories and sugar – which doesn’t just stick to waist line…it will stick around all New Years Day and torture you with one gigantic hangover.
But with the right mixers and choices you can easily stick to your New Years Resolutions and fend off a rough morning.
So here’s your cocktail cheat sheet! Which drinks should you choose? Which are the worst? Look below!
Sip it!
1. White Wine & Red Wine - both great choices for sticking lower cal. One (5 oz) glass of white white has about 118 calories, which the same amount of red has about 120.
2. Champagne - 100 calories for 8 ounces
2. Simple Drinks - stick with your favorite liquor paired with diet or club soda, a splash of line, or lower cal juice. Any drink that has an ingredient list of multiple juices, liquors, and sweeteners is going to be packed w/extra calories.
3. Light Beer - 90-120 calories a serving
Estimated Calorie Counts for Some Common Cocktails
Long Island Iced Tea – 450 Calories
Chocolate Martini - 500 calories
Margarita- 164-504 calories
White Russian - 425 calories
Mai Tai - 350 calories
Dirty Martinis - 220-330 calories
Champagne Cocktail - 250 calories
Gin/Vodka Tonic - 166 calories
Mojito - 160 calories
Cosmopolitan - 150 calories
Watch out for serving sizes when ordering at bars. Often times bartenders will serve you drinks in glasses that are much larger than one serving size. So what is a serving size? According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
- 12 ounces of a beer or wine cooler
- 8-ounces of malt liquor
- 5 ounces of table wine
- 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits such as gin, vodka, whiskey, etc.
(Nutritional information from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Forbes Magazine, and Livestrong)
Champaign Cosmo
Yields 10 servings
Ingredients:
- 1-3/4 cups light cranberry juice, chilled
- 1/2 cup Cointreau
- 3 Tbs. fresh lime juice
- 2 bottles (750 ml) brut sparkling wine or Champagne, chilled
- Lime zest strips for garnish
- Combine the cranberry juice, Grand Marnier, and lime juice in a small pitcher and mix well. Divide evenly among 8 flutes or martini glasses.
- Top each flute with the sparkling wine (depending on the size of your flutes, you may not need all of the wine). Serve immediately.
Have a fabulous New Years everyone! Wishing you all health, happiness, and lots of love in 2013!
This sounds amazing! :-) And thanks for the calorie cheat sheet! :-)
Hehehee you’re hilarious. And the cosmo looks pretty!!
Yum! These drinks are perfect for the holidays :) I had no idea chocolate martinis were so many calories! This nutritional info is good to know! Happy New Year!
XO Jenna
Demureindiamonds.blogspot.com
haha yikes! Neither did I until I researched it! Hope you had a fabulous New Years Jenna!
Oh yum! This is exactly what I need for 2013 :) I would LOVE it if you continue to blog skinny cocktail recipes, especially come summertime! Have a wonderful NYE!
Thanks Becky! You too! And I think you can definitely count on a few more cocktail recipes :)
Definitely! That was too fun to not do again :) Hope you had a great New Year Becky!!
These look so good, Kristina. I love the alcohol breakdown; I think I’ll be staying away from margaritas for awhile. I’m making this lovely cocktail for New Year’s Eve tonight. I can’t wait! Happy New Year, my friend.
OMG I love this recipe! I adore cosmos and champagne. Happy New Year
Oooh, this is my kind of cocktail…beautiful and yummy! And I love how your got the perfect twist of lime zest!!!
Thanks Liz! Haha that lime peel took me for-e-ver. Definitely need to brush up on my bartender skills :) Hope you had a great New Years!!
Yum! This sounds fabulous (and the picture is great!). Happy New Year!!
Thanks Kelsey! Happy New Year to you too! Ready for a new year of swapping recipes :)
Lol! Fun it is :). I think we are on the same page!
http://www.skinnymommy.com/2012/12/holiday-sparkler.html
haha just saw! Love it :) Left you a little message on ur blog…!
Love these! Anything with champagne is good with me!
Congratulations on all your blog success!!! Here’s to an aesome 2013. Cheers!
Arantha
totally agree, a fabulous excuse for testing! and so pretty. :) perfect for a girl’s night!
That is one gorgeous drink :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Um, making these as soon as possible.