Cocktails for a Healthy Happy Hour

SHAPE magazine

These cocktails skimp on calories--not flavor. Try one of them tonight for a healthy way to kick back and relax after work.

Randarita
Randarita

1. Randarita: On February 13, 2012 country singerMiranda Lambert tweeted about her love for a cocktail she calls a "randarita" (which is a concoction of Bacardi and Crystal Light). She even made Lady Gaga a fan.

One Twitter follower replied with her own touch: with vanilla Bacardi and pink lemonade Crystal Light. @Jaymidann tweets that it "tastes like cotton candy!"






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Ginger Elixir
Ginger Elixir

2. Ginger Elixir: Ginger is an ancient Asian remedy for digestive problems and can ease an upset stomach. At La Costa Resort and Spa, their Ginger Elixir, a non-alcoholic "ayurvedic cocktail" from the Legends Bistro and the Spa Café, is best served before a meal.

Blend one cup of ginger juice, one cup of lemon juice, one cup of water, and one-fourth of a cup of honey and serve!

Photo Credit: La Costa Resort and Spa





Cocktail in a snap!
Cocktail in a snap!

3. Cocktail in a Snap (and Still Snap Your Jeans): For cocktail enthusiast and weight loss coach Katy Gillis, it's all about healthy, clean drinks that she can mix up in a snap!

"I send this quick recipe [for a raspberry lemonade martini] to my clients who are looking to cut down on the calories but still indulge and enjoy life with a cocktail now and then," she says.

To prepare: Mix one shot of vodka, one shot of Triple Sec (leave this out if you're on a tighter calorie budget), and Tropicana Trop50 Raspberry Lemonade (to fill the martini glass). Shake it all with ice and pour it into a chilled martini glass. Add a twist of lemon and voila!



No. 44
No. 44

4. No. 44: "FIVE Restaurant located inside the Hotel Shattuck Plaza in Berkeley, Calif, just put together a healthy spirited cocktail in honor of President Obama," says PR maven Monica Powers.

Aptly called the "No. 44," the ingredients include: 1 oz. Oban 14-year Scotch, 1 oz. grapefruit juice, 1 oz. pomegranate juice, 1/2 oz. of Felernum, a dash of orange bitters, brandied cherries, and orange peel to be used as a garnish.

Photo Credit: FIVE Restaurant




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Vitality Vodka Lemonade
Vitality Vodka Lemonade

5. Vitality Vodka Lemonade: Using a juicer, blend one cucumber, two celery stalks, one head of romaine lettuce, one lemon, one small piece of fresh ginger, and two green apples. Then, add vodka to taste.

"It's unbelievably tasty and refreshing," says Sergio Rojas, a certified nutritionist and owner of reDEFINED Fitness & Physical Therapy in Chicago, Ill.





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