Yes, a healthy socialite can have her cosmo and drink it too.

Okay there is NOTHING “healthy” about alcohol other than the fact that (in the right amount) it can make you happy. But having a cocktail can be made “health-ier” with some easy modifications that reduce sugar/calorie/carbohydrate/sodium content of the drink. (OBVIOUS start: remove the ring of salt around the glass! Avoid salt-induced bloat.)

The results will still taste delicious, I promise!!

Heeyyyy Bartender! (<—- title of new Lady A song. Check it out!!)

Modifications if you are mixing your own drinks:

• Simple syrup is water & sugar and completely unnecessary if you are concocting your own cocktail. Substitute a flavored water packet or some stevia. I’ve even had a margarita with agave nectar!
• Go for simple! Cut calories by cutting ingredients.
• Dilute. The bulk of the calories come from the hard liquor itself (1 shot of vodka = 97 calories!) So try diluting the drink with sparkling water or seltzer water.
• Throw real fruit in the blender! Why pour in the carton of orange juice when you got real oranges?!
• Be PICKY. Don’t drink something you don’t really like just because it’s there! Alcohol tastes like nasty medicine to me so I’m only going to drink something that has a good flavor. Typical girl, I know. So if a can of beer tastes like carbonated sink water to you too, don’t drink it!

G.N.O.

Girl’s Night Out drinks – the good and the garbage

Happy hour, vacation, BBQs, picnics, date nights, girl’s nights….summer has so many opportunities to socialize with a little tipsy treat. But if you’re looking to stay on track with a healthy diet…

What to order?

• COSMO (150 cals)
• WINE (antioxidant benefits!)
• Rum & Diet Coke (I’m not a supporter of soda’s but in this case, it’s better than its alternatives!)

Yikes! Save for a special occasion:

• White Russian (2 words: heavy cream.)
• Whiskey Sour (dark liquor + sugar overload)
• Strawberry Daiquiri
• Brandy Eggnog (not that you would order this anyways.)

As promised: Recipe for 75 calorie SKINNAY MAI TAI

You will need a blender, ice, spiced rum, a Crystal Light packet of choice, and a tiny paper umbrella if you’re feelin fancy.

Fill the blender with 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of water, a Crystal Light flavor packet (we first used Pomegranate!), a shot of spiced rum, and a handful of ice. Blend that baby until you have slush.

HOW EASY IS THAT.

**Cute little glass = calorie control over a bottomless pitcher**

Pomegranate was good but Pineapple was BEYOND.

Pineapple was the clear favorite of the night. We made a triple batch of the spiked slushy and it was gone in minutes. You don’t need simple syrups, sugary juices or sodas. Some flavored water will do the trick!

Missy thoroughly enjoyed herself too. :)

So it is very possible to enjoy a party without feeling obligated to be the Sober Sally/Designated Driver every time for your diet’s sake. As always, it just means making smart choices and finding alternatives!

(I personally wish that alcohol containers were required to post a nutrition label. Yes it would ruin the look of an elegant wine bottle, but I think if consumers could see a label on the bottle with its nutritional information they would make different choices when it comes to what/how much they drink.)

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Cheers!