On a hot summer day there’s no other place I’d rather be than lounging on the beach, drink in hand. Cocktails are a summertime fave, but you don’t want to pack on the pounds you got rid of to get your bod bikini ready. Don’t worry, you can still indulge without screwing up your diet plan – thanks to a leading NYC mixologist and her “skinny cocktail” creations! Niccole Trzaska, head mixologist at Stone Rose in NYC and topping the New York Post’s most recent “25 Sexiest New Yorkers” list, has created some delicious cocktails that will keep that calorie count in check. To begin summer slim-down off on the right foot, she has several suggestions when choosing cocktails:
1. Always try and when possible use a diet mixer. “I always try to add something with a bit of fizz – a great way to add texture without adding calories”
2. Always use fresh juice. “The fresher – the better for you. I absolutely hate the sugary pre-packaged juices. They drive me crazy!”
3. Keep your cocktails simple. “The fewer mixers the better – adding additional spirits and mixers into a complex cocktail adds a lot of unnecessary calories. “
4. Don’t be afraid of champagne. “An ultra brut has only 65 calories. You can look sexy and sophisticated without a sugary, fancy cocktail.”
Here a several skinny cocktail recipes! Enjoy while still looking fabulous in that bikini.
THE RITUAL
A super premium shot cooled over a bed of ice – 34 calories
A new super premium, pear-infused Cognac liqueur from Sweden, XANTé has been widely popular in Europe for more than 10 years.
POMEGRANATE COLLINS
1 part BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin
¾ part fresh lemon juice
½ part agave nectar
20 Pomegranate seeds
Top with diet club soda
100 calories
Lightly Muddle fruit and nectar. Shake all ingredients, except club soda, and pour into ice-filled highball glass. Top with club soda. Garnish 3 seeds and lemon wedge.
This next low-cal cocktail recipe was just created and uses Vita Coco (all natural coconut water) – that’s often found in celeb’s hands because of its nutritional benefits!
The Pina of the Earth
1 1/2 oz. Flor de Cana 7 yr old Rum
2 oz. Vita-Coco Passionfruit Coconut Water
1 oz. Pineapple juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Shake all ingredients very well with ice pour over into a rocks glass. Garnish with a pineapple slice.