Nothing packs on the calories like a night at the local watering hole throwing down high calorie cocktails. A single drink, such as a Piña Colada or Long Island Ice Tea, contains as many calories as a McDonald’s Big Mac. You wouldn’t down half a dozen Big Mac’s in the span of a night but you might consume that as many calories through mixed drinks and not even be aware that you’re doing it. Here a few tips to ensure your night is low in calories and high in fun by trading out gut busters for low calorie cocktails.
Avoid frozen drinks. Margaritas, Daiquiris and Piña Coladas are loaded with calories. If you absolutely can’t live without a margarita, order one on the rocks instead and ask the bartender to use a sugar free mixer and not to add salt or sugar to the rim and you can cut the calories in half. Baja Bob’s sugar free margarita mix contains zero calories.
Request diet soda or tonic instead of the regular stuff. Diet sodas are calorie free. Ask for light cranberry juice instead of regular and cut your calories by 2/3. Better yet you can use Crystal Light as a mixer and not have to worry about. Or you can skip the mixer altogether. There are several varieties of infused vodkas that are becoming increasing popular. If infused drinks are too strong and you feel that you can’t drink one straight, than add a splash of lemon or lime juice. At a mere 10 calories a half ounce of lime or lemon juice won’t add to much to the waistline. You can also dilute your drinks with water or club soda for alcoholic drinks lower in calories than the normal alternatives.
Replace flavored liqueurs like Benedictine, Crème de cacao, Crème de menthe, Grand Marnier and Cointreau with flavored extracts and artificial sweeteners. Crème de menthe in particular is loaded with sugar and very high in calories. Remember these simple secrets the next time you have a night of guilty drinking, and whatever you do you know the guilt won’t come in the form of calories.
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