Toast Leap Day with a Leap Year Cocktail

A Leap Year cocktail has 209 calories.
If you feel like there are only a handful of holidays throughout the year that give you a reason to celebrate, then you aren't looking hard enough. There exists some silly holiday every single day. In fact, just last week was Pistachio Day and March 1 is Peanut Butter Lover's Day. Let's talk about this week though, as it's Leap Year tomorrow! Once every four years the calendar throws a bonus day our way and we feel that we are left with no other choice but to celebrate.

If you plan on raising a glass on Leap Day, fill it with gin. In the book The Joy of Mixology, it says the cocktail was created on Leap Year in 1928 by a Savoy Hotel bartender, Harry Craddock. That recipe is now known as a Leap Year.

2 oz gin
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur
1/4 oz lemon juice
lemon twist for garnish

Shake well in an iced shaker, pour in to a chilled glass, and serve with a lemon twist garnish.

One of these little Leap Year cocktails has 209 calories, which is actually pretty slim compared to many mixed cocktails. However, it is 209 very empty calories. If you find yourself celebrating Leap Year with one of these, limit it to one and prepare to make up for it.

Another tradition that dates back to fifth century Ireland is that on Leap Year alone women may propose marriage to men. If you're not feeling up to asking for your companion's hand this Leap Year, propose a few other things you could do together to get the most out of this extra day:

Couples yoga class
Go for a run
Prepare a healthy dinner together
Hit the tennis or basketball court
Take a 29-mile bike ride

A bonus day on the calendar should not be wasted, so have a little fun on February 29 and try one of these 29 healthy ideas for Leap Year.