In my last post I discussed how you can cut the calories in your alcohol when you attend or host barbecues, by drinking light beer instead of regular beer. However, I understand that not everyone’s a fan of beer, so today I’m going to be providing you with some alternatives to light beer and listing 5 Low Calorie Cocktails that you can make before attending or hosting your next barbecue.
As you probably know, cocktails are a perfect summer drink and are an excellent way to stay cool, hydrated and refreshed at a barbecue on a hot day. Unfortunately, most traditional cocktails are loaded with calories and it’s not uncommon for them to contain over 500 calories in a single glass. These low calorie cocktail recipes remove the bulk of these calories and all contain less than 250 calories per glass.
Each recipe makes four low calorie cocktails and to prepare them, you’ll need the following equipment…
– 4 Cocktail Glasses
– 1 Blender
– 1 Cocktail Pitcher
– 1 Large Cocktail Shaker & Stirrer Set
– 1 Ice Crusher (Optional)
1) Low Calorie Long Island Iced Tea
Long Island Iced Tea is a popular, sweet and refreshing summer cocktail. However, just one 300ml (10 oz.) glass contains 628 calories which is more calories than you’ll find in four regular bottles of beer. This low calorie Long Island Iced Tea maintains the same great taste but cuts over 60% of the calories, to create a cocktail that contains just 220 calories per glass.
Ingredients:
– 360g (12 oz.) Of Crushed Ice
– 300ml (10 oz.) Of Cola
– 300ml (10 oz.) Of Sour Mix
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Gin
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Rum
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Tequila
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Vodka
Instructions:
1. Place the crushed ice into the cocktail pitcher.
2. Place the rest of the ingredients into the cocktail shaker and shake for 30 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture from the cocktail shaker into the cocktail pitcher.
4. Pour four low calorie Long Island Iced Teas into each of the cocktail glasses and enjoy them with your barbecue guests.
Yield:
– 4 * 300ml (10 oz.) Glasses
Calories:
– 880 Calories Total
– 220 Calories Per Glass
2) Low Calorie Strawberry & Raspberry Daiquiri
In comparison to other cocktails, Strawberry Daiquiri’s are relatively light and contain an average of 250 calories per 300ml (10 oz.) glass. However, by getting a little creative and taking advantage of the natural sweetness of fruit, you can cut the calories even more. This low calorie Strawberry & Raspberry Daiquiri contains just 204 calories per glass and provides you with ice cold, fruity refreshment.
Ingredients:
– 480g (16 oz.) Of Frozen Raspberries
– 480g (16 oz.) Of Frozen Strawberries
– 180ml (6 oz.) Of Rum
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Lime Juice
Instructions:
1. Place all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour an equal amount of mixture into each of the four cocktail glasses and enjoy four low calorie Strawberry & Raspberry Daiquiris with your barbecue guests.
Yield:
– 4 * 300ml (10 oz.) Glasses
Calories:
– 816 Calories Total
– 204 Calories Per Glass
3) Low Calorie Mud Slide
Regular Mud Slides may be thick, creamy and satisfying but in terms of calories they’re one of the worst things you can drink and contain a staggering 783 calories per 300ml (10 oz.) glass. This low calorie Mud Slide removes over 500 of these calories and leaves you with a cocktail that’s still thick and creamy but contains just 248 calories per glass.
Ingredients:
– 480ml (16 oz.) Of Crushed Ice
– 480ml (16 oz.) Of Low Fat Milk
– 120ml (4 oz.) Of Bailey’s Irish Cream
– 120ml (4 oz.) Of Kahlua
Instructions:
1. Place the crushed ice into the cocktail pitcher.
2. Place the rest of the ingredients into the cocktail shaker and shake for 30 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture from the cocktail shaker into the cocktail pitcher.
4. Pour four low calorie Mud Slides into each of the cocktail glasses and enjoy them with your barbecue guests.
Yield:
– 4 * 300ml (10 oz.) Glasses
Calories:
– 992 Calories Total
– 248 Calories Per Glass
4) Low Calorie Sex On The Beach
Sex On The Beach is a sweet, smooth cocktail that goes down perfectly on a hot summer’s day. However, at 695 calories per 300ml (10 oz.) glass, just a couple of glasses can take you well over the 1,000 calorie mark. This low calorie Sex On The Beach removes some of the alcohol but maintains the trademark flavour and in doing so slashes over 60% of the calories from the drink.
Ingredients:
– 240ml (8 oz.) Of Orange Juice
– 240ml (8 oz.) Of Sparkling Water
– 180ml (6 oz.) Of Cola
– 120ml (4 oz.) Of Crushed Ice
– 120ml (4 oz.) Of Lemon Juice
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Gin
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Rum
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Tequila
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Triple Sec
– 60ml (2 oz.) Of Vodka
Instructions:
1. Place the cola and crushed ice into the cocktail pitcher.
2. Place the rest of the ingredients into the cocktail shaker and shake well for 30 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture from the cocktail shaker into the cocktail pitcher and stir for 30 seconds.
4. Pour four low calorie Sex On The Beach Cocktails into each of the cocktail glasses and enjoy them with your barbecue guests.
Yield:
– 4 * 300ml (10 oz.) Glasses
Calories:
– 988 Calories Total
– 247 Calories Per Glass
5) Low Calorie Vodka & Blueberry Lemonade
Lemonade is another refreshing drink that’s an excellent choice on warm summer days and when you add some vodka and fruit to the mix it gets even better. Unfortunately, most store bought lemonades are loaded with calories and nasty chemicals. This low calorie Vodka & Blueberry Lemonade combines a small amount of sugar with fruit, lemon juice, sparkling water and vodka to create a brilliant tasting cocktail that packs just 246 calories per 300ml (10 oz.) glass.
Ingredients:
– 2 Sliced Lemons
– 360g (12 oz.) Of Frozen Blueberries
– 360ml (12 oz.) Of Sparkling Water
– 240ml (8 oz.) Of Vodka
– 180ml (6 oz.) Of Lemon Juice
– 60g (2 oz.) Of Sugar
Instructions:
1. Place the frozen blueberries, lemon juice, sugar and vodka into the blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the blended mixture into the cocktail pitcher and top with the sparkling water.
3. Add the sliced lemon to the pitcher and stir the ingredients for 30 seconds.
4. Pour four low calorie Vodka & Blueberry Lemonade Cocktails into each of the cocktail glasses and enjoy them with your barbecue guests.
Yield:
– 4 * 300ml (10 oz.) Glasses
Calories:
– 984 Calories Total
– 246 Calories Per Glass
Summary
If you’re on a weight loss plan and worried that attending or hosting multiple barbecues over the summer is going to ruin your weight loss efforts, these low calorie cocktails should really help. With each one containing less than 250 calories per glass and tasting just like the original, they’re a great way to relax and unwind this summer, without adding inches to your waistline.
So give them a try and let me know what you think. Also, if you’ve got any more low calorie cocktail recipes to suggest, I’d love to hear them. Simply leave me a comment at the bottom of this post to share it with everyone.