Since this weekend is the
official kick off to the summer, what better time to share some
delicious recipes to make over the long weekend. Without
further adieu, I would like to welcome today's guest blogger, Rebecca
Pane. I had the pleasure to work with this hilarious and kind lady for the past
year and was thrilled when she agreed to write a bit for the blog. She is one
of the most talented writers I know so it's no surprise that she abandoned me
at work and got a stellar position using her writing skills everyday - work has
been ever so dull without her witty banter but thanks to the internet I get to
enjoy her sarcasm via email.
Meet Rebecca
On hot summer nights, you don’t need a
special excuse to celebrate – a group of friends and a drink equipped with a
rum-soaked mini-umbrella is reason enough.
Mojitos. Margaritas. Sangria. Let’s
face it - it’s just not summer without them.
It doesn’t get better than throwing on a cute little sundress, dainty
little cork-bottomed sandals, and kicking back outside with your girlfriends on
a steamy summer’s day with a flirty drink in hand.
But, if you’re like me, I often hesitate
to have too many of these yummy adult treats because I’m thinking of that
bikini I have to wear for the next few months (don’t worry, I won’t say the B-word
again…I see you, you’re sweating). Over
the years I’ve spent a lot of time coming up with – and mastering – the best,
tastiest, and most lethal summer cocktails for my girlfriends and I to enjoy,
guilt free. I think it’s crucial for females to share any and all
body-bettering diet secrets, ESPECIALLY when it comes to fun drinks – so, I’d
like to present to you my five favorite low-cal summer drinks. Go ahead, girls - feel free to mix up and
enjoy 5 – okay, make it 6 – of these bad boys! I promise you’ll wake up with a
clear conscience* (well, about what you drank, anyway…the rest, I can’t help
you with).
Oh, and one more thing – put the red solo
cup DOWN. These are not red solo cup
approved. Glass cocktail glasses are a great investment!
Coconut
Mojito
I’m crazy about minty drinks in the
summer. I put mint in EVERYTHING – my water, my iced tea, whatever. If you like
mint, and you like rum, you can’t go wrong with this mojito (and hey, if you
don’t like mint, just drink the rum (win/win situation).
Ingredients: ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, 1 tsp. sweetener (I
prefer Stevia or PureVia, they have less chemical additives than Equal or
Splenda), 1 1/2oz. freshly squeezed lime juice (pre-bottled lime juice is fine,
just be sure it isn’t sweetened), 2oz.
Malibu coconut rum, juice of half a lime, 6oz. soda water.
Directions: Put mint, sweetener, and lime juice in
the bottom of your glass, and muddle (most people don’t own a muddler, so
crushing them together with a spoon is fine).
Stir the rum in slowly, being sure to dissolve all the sweetener. Fill
whatever space you have at the top of the glass with soda water (or more rum, I
don’t judge), and garnish with a lime.
Skinny
Sangria
Sangria is one of the most refreshing
summer drinks, in my personal opinion. This is my go-to recipe when I’m making
a pitcher of sangria to bring to a cookout – and no one knows my dirty little
diet secret! Note: this specific recipe is for a single serving, not a pitcher.
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups (chilled) red or white wine, ½
can diet Sprite, fruit of your choice (I prefer oranges and lemons for the red
sangria, and peaches, apples, and pineapple for the white), 1oz Brandy
(optional)
Directions: The easiest way to make this sangria is
to simply put the wine, brandy, and diet Sprite in a glass, squeeze the fruit
in, pour over ice, and you’re good to go! However, if I have time, I like to
put the wine, brandy, and squeezed fruit together in a glass and refrigerate
overnight, then the next day add the Sprite. Infusing the fruit in the wine
overnight makes for a tastier drink – but it’s all about how much time and patience
you have! I find the overnight method to be the best when making a pitcher to
share (right…”share”).
Summer
Punch
This isn’t the fruit punch your mom
served you as a kid (if it was, you might want to talk to someone about that). Most
summer punch recipes are super high in sugar carbs and cals, but this simple
recipe won’t disappoint your scale! (I promised I wouldn’t say the B-word, I
made no such promise about the S-word!)
Ingredients: 1/2 cup diced peaches, ½ cup cherries, 1
cup all-natural fruit juice (I like pineapple juice in my variation), 1oz.
cherry vodka, 1 cup sparkling wine, ½ cup seltzer.
Directions: Combine peaches, cherries, vodka, and
wine. Take a sip. Add fruit juice and seltzer. Take another sip. Serve over
ice. Garnish with a cherry.
Skinny
Summerrita
I’ve never met a single person who can
get through a summer without craving a margarita on a deck at LEAST once (by
once, I mean once a day). This is the finest recipe I’ve been able to dream up
– still all the flavor of a margarita, without the sugar! You’re welcome in
advance.
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon Crystal Light Margarita
powder dissolved in 8-10oz water (to taste), 1oz. tequila, 1oz. x-rated fusion
liqueur, and juice of half a lime.
Directions: If you like a salt or sugar rim, run
some lime juice along the rim of the glass and dip. Combine all ingredients,
mix well, and serve over ice. Note: I
also like to squeeze part of an orange in there, since we’re not using Triple
Sec.
Strawberry-Coconut
Daiquiri
I’m not a huge frozen drink gal – the
sole thought of waiting so long for my drink to blend is agonizing. But, you really can’t go wrong with this
daiquiri. Once you taste it, you’ll realize it was worth the painful 45 second
wait.
Ingredients: 2 ½ cup chopped fresh or frozen
strawberries, 3 tbs. sweetener, 2 tbs. lime juice, 3 cups crushed ice cubes, ¾
cup Malibu coconut rum
Directions: Blend strawberries, sweetener, and lime
juice together in a blender until smooth. Add ice cubes and rum, and blend
until frothy. Garnish with a strawberry.
Of course, all of these recipes can be
tweaked for your tastes – these specific recipes were made to my personal
liking. The good news is, you can add extra or less of any given ingredient and
not have to dread buttoning your shorts the next day.
Additionally, I’d like to show a little
love to my favorite cocktail glasses. For me, it’s all about the presentation –
the glass you serve the drink in, the garnish you use, maybe a cute colored
straw. Even just using a stem-less wine
glass for any cocktail makes a difference. And who doesn’t want to feel fancy?
*bloggers disclaimer: this blogger is not
responsible for the actions of any adults after enjoying these yummy treats!
