Low-Cal Cocktails: Make Your Own Simple Syrup

Use this homemade simple syrup to whip up some seasonal, low-cal cocktails at your next party:

Combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a saucepan; stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Keep refrigerated for up to two weeks, until ready to use.

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

This pink delight has about 50 calories less and 1/3 the amount of sugar of a strawberry daiquiri.

Ingredients:
2 ounces rum
2 quartered strawberries
1/4 ounce orange liqueur, like Cointreau
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1 tablespoons simple syrup
1 tablespoon water
Strawberry slice for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

2. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.

3. Strain into a martini glass, and garnish with a slice of a strawberry.

Nutrition:
Calories 197 (1% from fat); Fat 0g (sat 0g, mono 0g, poly 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Protein 0g; Carbohydrate 14g; Sugars 11g; Fiber 1g; Iron 0mg; Sodium 2mg; Calcium 8mg

By Susan Hall
[PHOTO BY SEAN KELLEY]

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking

Low-Cal Cocktails

These drinks are fresh and simple—with zero fake stuff like sugary mixers or artificial sweeteners. For parties, multiply ingredient amounts by the number of guests, and keep the batch refrigerated until it’s time to serve.

These cool cordials were developed by Lucy Brennan, author of Hip Sips: Modern Cocktails to Raise Your Spirits and owner of Mint and 820 Lounge in Portland, Ore. (Search if you are interested in ... ^^)

1/ Pome-Rita
2/ Simple Blueberry Summer Cooler
3/ Strawberry Kiss
4/ Homemade Simple Syrup

By Susan Hall
[PHOTOS BY SEAN KELLEY]

Last Updated: February 20, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Cooking