Calorie Conscious Cocktails

Our favorite cocktails can have serious implications on our weight loss plans. However, I always say, "What's the point of looking good if we can't have a little fun?" I love a cocktail every once in a while. Yet, some drinks can pack over 500 calories. Combine that with our meal and we can be over our daily calorie allowance in a single seating. No bueno. Here are low-calorie recipes to two of my favorite cocktails.

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Believe it or not, the Mojito and the Gimlet are made with the same basic ingredients. The only difference between them is the type of alcohol. So, pick your poison and have these ingredients on hand to make your favorite cocktail. Let's swap the sugar for the zero calorie, plant-based sweetener, Stevia. 

2 Limes

1/4 teaspoon Stevia

1/2 cup Soda

Fresh Mint

1/3 cupVodka (Gimlet)

1/3 cup Rum (Mojito)

Place two sprigs of organic mint at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice. Fill the shaker with vodka (my favorite is Ketel One) or Rum, the lime juice, soda, stevia, and a few more fresh mint leaves on top. Shake well (like until you can't feel your fingers it's so cold!). Fill a cocktail glass with fresh ice and pour. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Add more lime, alcohol, or stevia to taste.

Keep in mind, although these calorie conscious cocktails are lower in calories than their original recipes, alcohol still contains a lot of sugar. If you're serious about your health and losing weight, cut the alcohol completely. For a more detailed look at the effects of alcohol on the body, read this  article from the brilliant blog, The Holy Kale. 

Note: An excellent way to keep fresh mint on hand is to buy yourself an organic mint plant. With a little TLC, your plant can yield all the mint leaves you need, year round.