Cocktails might taste great going down, but all that sugar, booze, and calories can add up. Luckily, there are a few ways to make more slimming cocktails, ones that use fine ingredients and limit the carbohydrates and sugars. It's a whole new way to incorporate trendy diets [1] into the craft cocktail world. The keto diet is known for reducing intake of carbs and sugar, so it's the perfect way to create an enjoyable cocktail that won't hurt your waistline. Here are a few delicious keto-style cocktail recipes [2] you can sip on for a healthier, lighter buzz.
Keto Margarita
"Since ketogenic diets limit the intake of sugars and carbs, there are certain alcohols that should be avoided at all costs. The general rule is to stay away from anything that tastes sweet, including many wines, beers, mixers, and flavored alcohols," says Caleb Backe, health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics [3], to POPSUGAR. "Although drinking alcohol is considered to be ingesting empty calories, clear, hard liquor is considered to be keto-friendly," he explains.
Tequila is great for those keto-friendly margaritas since it's usually made without added sugars or carbs. "Just be sure to avoid the traditional Triple Sec and Cointreau orange liqueurs, which are usually high in sugar, carbs, and calories," he says.
Margarita Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces tequila
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- (Kosher salt optional)
Directions
- Shake together and serve with optional kosher salt on glass rim.
Moscow Mule
"Whether you're full keto or just trying to tighten up for beach season, keeping your carb intake low during happy hour is a great way to ensure the progress you made during the week is maintained through the weekend festivities," says Evan Shy, founder of ShyTown Fitness [4], to POPSUGAR. "With a couple quick substitutions to a classic Moscow Mule, you can make sure you're sticking to the routine even when you're taking a break from the lifestyle," he says.
Fresh Ginger Moscow Mule Ingredients
- 2 ounces Tito's vodka (gluten-free)
- 3 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 2 teaspoons stevia
- 3 leaves basil
- 1/2 freshly squeezed lemon
- 1 freshly squeezed lime
- 1/2 cup soda water or seltzer
- Lime wedges for garnish
Directions
- In a big cup, add stevia, ginger, and basil and gently muddle for a few seconds until ingredients become fragrant.
- Add vodka and stir well until stevia has completely dissolved.
- Add lemon juice, lime juice, a few ice cubes, and stir.
- Add soda water and stir.
- Serve in copper mug garnished with lime wedges.
Green Tox Cocktail
Think of this as a fresh green juice with a splash or so of vodka. "Starting the day with a beverage that tastes great, lacks this sugar, and is enhanced with fueling nutrients is key to a fun weekend and/or productive workday," says mixologist Elizabeth Blau at Honey Salt [5], Las Vegas, to POPSUGAR.
Green Tox Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces Tito's vodka
- 2 ounces Green Goodness juice (see ahead)
- 3/4 ounce agave
- Splash lemon
Green Goodness Juice Ingredients
- 3-5 kale leaves and stalk
- 1 whole lemon
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 inch ginger
- 1 cucumber
- 2 Granny Smith apples
Directions
- For Green Goodness juice, blend all ingredients together in blender or juicer.
- Mix juice with the rest of the Green Tox ingredients and serve immediately.
Strawberry Cocktail
As Spring and Summer are approaching, there's no better time to combine fresh fruits into a refreshing, but still low-sugar cocktail, explains mixologist Diesha Banner [6] to POPSUGAR.
Strawberry Cocktail Ingredients
- 1 ounce Smirnoff Strawberry vodka
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cup of blueberries
- 1 teaspoon stevia
Directions
- Blend together like you would a smoothie.