Skinny or low-cal cocktails are popular for a many reasons: They’re lighter, they make patrons feel better about ordering a drink (or two) and by cutting calories you’re also reducing alcohol content, which offers customers a more responsible yet still delightfully quaffable drink alternative. As the summer stretches into its final weeks, offer some of these refreshing and healthy cocktails on your menu. By giving customers beverages with reduced calories but the same great taste, the only gain you’ll see is in your profits.
Pucker Punch
On the menu at De Santos in New York City.
Total Calories: 121
1 ounce Champagne
1 ounce sugar-free Liquid Lightning
1 ounce light rum
2 ounces pink grapefruit juice (fresh-squeezed)
1 ounce lychee juice
Dash lime juice
Lychee, for garnish
Combine rum, grapefruit juice, lychee juice and a squeeze of fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a Martini glass. Top with Champagne, Liquid Lightning and a lychee garnish.
Pom Springs
On the menu at Koi restaurants in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas and Bangkok.
Total Calories: 145
1½ ounces vodka
½ ounce pomegranate juice
½ ounce agave
2 ounces soda water
Pomegranate seeds, for garnish
Add all ingredients to shaker with ice. Shake then strain into Martini glass and garnish with pomegranate seeds.
Skinny AO
Courtesy of VeeV AO
Total Calories: 105
1½ ounces VeeV AO2 ounces sugar-free Liquid Lightning
2 lemon wedges (squeezed)
¼ ounce agave nectar
2 ounces club soda
1 lemon wedge, for garnish
Squeeze two lemon wedges into agave nectar and stir together with VeeV. Pour over ice in a rocks glass. Add club soda and Liquid Lightning. Garnish with remaining lemon wedge.
Frisk
Created by Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen for Purity Vodka.
3 ounces Purity Vodka
1/8 ounce wash of aquavit
3 to 4 slices cucumber
Dill sprig, for garnish
Add the aquavit to a cocktail shaker glass and roll around. Shake out any excess. Drop in the cucumber slices and press with a muddler to release the juices. Measure in the vodka and fill with ice. Cap and shake vigorously. Double strain into a Martini glass and garnish with a small sprig of dill.
Skinny Rita-Tini
On the menu at Bonefish Grill.
2 ounces tequila
¾ ounce organic agave nectar
1½ to 2 ounces fresh lime juice
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin and shake vigorously. Then strain into a Martini glass. Salt rim of Martini glass.
Russian Prom Queen
On the menu at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Boston.
Total Calories: 99
1¼ ounces Stoli Blueberi
1 ounce Monin sugar-free syrup
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce soda water
6 blueberries
5 slices of thinly sliced cucumber
Cucumber slice and blueberry, for garnish
Muddle blueberries and cucumber with Monin sugar-free syrup. Add other ingredients and shake well. Strain into a Martini glass. Spear cucumber slice and a blueberry on a cocktail pick.
Watermelon Fizz
Served at Haru Sushi in Boston.
1 ounce Inocente Tequila
3 ounces fresh watermelon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce soda water
5 stalks of cilantro
Squeeze of lime
Muddle watermelon and cilantro leaves (split in halves). Add ice, simple syrup and tequila. Shake vigorously and pour all contents into a rocks glass. Garnish with a piece of watermelon in a bamboo spike.