Wednesday August 24, 2011

Healthy Summer Cocktails

We don't beat around the bush at Foodtrainers. We know it's summer and we know most of you are having a drink or two.

The whole idea of Foodtraining is for the plan to fit and improve your current lifestyle. On that note, we bring you summers best low-cal cocktails (and our favorite bar snack).

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Healthy Mixers

Most people know sweet drinks are caloric nightmares, but tonic tends to fly under the radar. It's the same calories as coke and not a good mixer. We recommend these healthier mixers:

• ModMix Organic Mixers: USDA certified organic mixers come in flavors like lavender lemon drop and french martini.
• Sonoma Syrup: Artisian infused simple syrups in flavors like meyer lemon and white ginger.  Only need a spoonful.
• McClure's Bloody Mary Mix: We love their Bloody Mary Mix as much as we love their pickles. A great low-cal cocktail, not only for brunch.
• SlimRitas & SlimRimmers: Just 5 calories per serving in this all natural margarita mix. We also love the Chili Verde, Spanish Rosemary sea salt, and Pink Himalayan mineral salt rimmers.  

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Best Spirits on the Market

We sent our intern Brittany (yes she's 21) on a liquor store tour of NYC. 

• VnC Cocktail: Another ready to pour margarita like popular Skinny Girl.   
• Crop Organic Vodka: USDA Organic Vodka? Yes please. A Foodtrainers favorite with flavors like Cucumber and Tomato.
• Tito's Homemade Vodka: Tito himself carefully distills this vodka in small batches six times to ensure the cleanest, purest product.
• Redbridge Gluten-Free Beer: This beer made from sorghum does not exclude those of us that can't eat wheat.

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Refresh with Cucumber

The Yoga Refresher  from Bedford Post Inn and the Cool Hand Cuke from The Colonie were our two favorite cocktails this summer. We came up with our own Foodtrainers version: 

3 oz Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka
1 oz Mint simple syrup (how to make your own)
2 oz fresh organic lime juice
Club soda to taste
Splash of St. Germain (optional: elderflower flavor)

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Watermelon Margaritas

This recipe can be used to make your own margaritas, or to doctor up ready to pour versions.

½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (5 limes)
1 tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon)
1 tbs Triple Sec (we happen to like Patron Citronage too)
1 cup white tequila
3 cups cubed seeded watermelon
3 cups ice

Combine lime juice, lemon juice, Triple Sec, and ice in a blender and puree until blended. Add tequila and puree 2 seconds more. Serve over ice.

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Enjoy a Bar Snack & Know your Limits!

Although moderate alcohol consumption has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, risks of alcohol begin to outweigh benefits at 4 drinks per week for women and 7 drinks per week for men.

For weight loss, your weekly limit needs to be spread out to only one drink per night. With the above mentioned ingredients and recipes, it'll be easy to savor your cocktail to make it last.

Since we're limiting you to one drink per night, we have to share our favorite bar snack for you to munch on while you make your drink last: ChickPz Sesame are high fiber & high protein, to keep you satisfied and energized. They're great to keep in your purse, or in a bowl on the bar for everyone to enjoy.*

*favorite bar snack doubles as a great nut-free back to school snack     

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