We hear it all the time: If you want to lose weight, cut back on those empty calories, which includes alcohol. But between the heat and the excitement of summer, we want to have our libations and drink them, too. Through ample amounts of fun research, we found that some adult beverages can actually be good for you (in moderation, of course). Ingredients like fresh fruit surely aid in building your daily nutrition pyramid, and herbs like mint might even help you maintain your figure. Add antioxidant-rich ingredients, such as açaí berry, blueberries, grapefruit, green tea, coffee, watermelon and pomegranate, and your risk of developing cancer and autoimmune illnesses decreases. The superfruit açaí is also known for being rich in amino acids and fatty acids, which boost your energy and immune system. Sweeten your creation with natural sweeteners like agave nectar instead of calorie-laden mixers, and you won’t pack on the pounds. With these top 11 cocktails, you can surely drink to your health.
TIP: Save calories by squeezing your own fruit juices, as opposed to sugar-laden store-bought varieties. Your cocktails will taste better, too!
BLUSHING BERRIES
By Stephanie Ruhe, the Bar at the Mansion on Peachtree
Ingredients:
2 strawberries
1 sprig of mint
3/4 ounce agave nectar
1.75 ounce citrus vodka (i.e. Ketel One Citroen)
3/4 ounce lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Instructions:
In a shaker, muddle together mint and strawberries. Then add the remaining ingredients. Shake vigorously with ice for 20 seconds. Pour entire contents of shaker into a Tom Collins glass. (Include all of the mint and strawberry pulp.)
CRUZAN LEMONADE
Ingredients:
1 part Cruzan Estate Light Rum
A splash of lime juice
Lemon-lime soda
Instructions:
Pour Cruzan Estate Light Rum over ice in a long drink glass. Fill with lemon-lime soda, and squeeze a lime wedge over and drop in.
ZEN, WHITE & BLUE
By James Labe, Tea Sommelier
Ingredients:
1 ½ parts Zen Green Tea Liqueur
3 parts prepared Silver Needle White Tea
1 ½ parts Skyy Infusions Raspberry
3 parts fresh blueberries, muddled or pureéd
Instructions:
Combine one part cold and five parts boiling water to approximate 180 degrees F. Use ½ cup dry tea leaves to 2 cups hot water (1:4). Steep 3 minutes. Strain and chill. Combine and stir ingredients. Serve on the rocks. Garnish with fresh mint.
SAVíDA SANGRIA
Ingredients:
Savída Sangría, chilled
1-3 ounces light rum, vodka, gin or brandy
Fresh fruit, such as peaches, tangerines, strawberries, lemon, limes or apples (cut into 1-inch pieces)
Instructions:
This homebrewed sangria (sold at Whole Foods Market, and Parish Foods and Goods) is delicious over ice, or you can amp it up by adding to it one to three ounces of light rum, vodka, gin or brandy to a mixing tin with ice. Add cut fruit. Shake vigorously. Pour all contents into glass. Garnish with lime or orange wedge. www.savidasangria.com.
SAND BAR
Ingredients:
2 ounces Tabasco Spicy Tequila
1 ounce fresh lime juice
¾ ounce orgeat (almond) syrup
Instructions:
Shake ingredients vigorously over ice, and strain into rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with pineapple wedge and a sprig of fresh mint.
CORZO LA FUTURA
By Junior Merino, national master mixologist
Ingredients:
1 ½ part Corzo Silver
¾ part Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur
¾ part pineapple juice
1 part fresh lime juice
½ part agave nectar
Instructions:
Pour all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake, and pour into a margarita glass or rocks glass. Garnish with a slice of crystallized ginger and lemon peel.
FUZZY LEOPARD
Available at 11 Stories
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounce Beefeater Gin
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1/2 ounce triple sec or Cointreau
1 large fresh basil leaf
Instructions:
Combine and shake all ingredients. Serve in a Tom Collins glass. Garnish with a basil leaf.
AMAZON COOLER
Available at Whiskey Park, Whiskey Blue and the Living Room Lounges at the W hotel properties
Ingredients:
3 basil leaves
3 cucumber slices
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup
2 ounces Veev Açaí Liquor
Instructions:
Add basil leaves, two cucumber slices, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup to shaker. Muddle. Add ice and Veev. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain over ice into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with floating cucumber.
THE BACARDI DRAGON BERRY LEMONADE
Ingredients:
2 parts Bacardi Dragon Berry
1-1/2 parts freshly squeezed lemon juice
1-1/2 parts simple syrup
1 part cranberry juice
1 part club soda (top with)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients (except club soda) into a tin filled halfway with ice. Shake 4-6 times and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge. The Bacardi Dragon Berry Lemonade is the signature cocktail of Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week, which takes place July 27-Aug. 9. Learn more at www.atlantadowntown.com/fun/restaurant-week.
SKINNY WASABERITA
By Stephanie Ruhe, the Bar at the Mansion on Peachtree
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon wasabi powder
3/4 lime juice
1 ounce agave nectar
1.75 ounces blanco tequila
Instructions:
In a shaker, add all of the ingredients with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain over ice into a Collins glass. Garnish with a salt rim around the lip of the glass and a lime wedge. No triple sec or Cointreau is in this drink recipe because they add calories.
LAST WORD
Adapted by Jason Kemp, Drinkshop
Ingredients:
3/4 ounce gin
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
3/4 ounce green chartreuse*
3/4 ounce St. Germain (instead of maraschino liqueur)
Instructions:
Shake well with ice, and strain into chilled cocktail glass.
*The recipe for chartreuse was regarded as a health potion in the 15th century.
