Don’t we all love a big, fat, happy-making drink(s) after a crazy week at work? But then again, those dreaded calories tucked away in alcohol aren’t going to let us feel gleeful in the long run. So, to sort out your (and our) weekend, we asked experts to mix-up some popular, beloved cocktails with a surprisingly healthy twist (and way lower calories!) Now all you need to do is call your friends over and have a blast with these low calorie boozy mixes. You’re welcome.
1. Raj Pandey, mixologist, Asado: The healthy hack for Sangria.
According to Raj, “Red wine is recommended for keeping the heart healthy and the fresh fruits in sangria not only add a different dimension of flavour and texture but also up the health quotient.” To make Sangria healthier you need to cut down the booze content and increase the quantity of fruit juices. It’s really that simple.
The low calorie Sangria:15 ml red wine with 15 ml gin and 15 ml vodka are the potent mixes to which you add fresh pineapple and orange juice (15 ml each) along with tiny apple squares.
Calorie count: Approximately 130 calories.
2. Nixon D’Souza, cocktail expert, Radio Bar: The healthy hack for a martini.
Nixon says, “Liquid calories are a dieter’s worst nightmare and it’s hard to pass up a cool cocktail at a fancy feast. But alcoholic cocktails can actually be good for you, thanks to the healthy ingredients mixologists are using these days.”
The low calorie martini: Add Lemon grass with vodka (30 ml) which is dry, tasteless and colourless. To this mix add a slice of mango and let it soak in the liquid. Fresh mangoes are very sweet and high on calories but Nixon advises using only one slice which maximises the flavour and balances the sweetness of the cocktail. Voila … you just made the Grassy Mango Martini!
Calorie count: Approximately 130 calories.
3. Lavesh Vaitey, in-house expert, The Bar Terminal: The healthy hack for a Manhattan.
The low calorie Martini: Ravish suggests mixing 30 ml Bourbon, 15 ml sweet Vermouth and 15 ml Angostura Bitters. He says, “Bourbon is flavourful and has only 97-110 calories for approximately 30 ml while vermouth is a wine fortified with herbs and contains 45 calories per ounce. Bitters are alleged to have restorative properties and are used to calm an upset stomach.”
Calorie count: 130 calories.
