Girls Night Out
I don't know about you, but some of the best Girls Night Outs I've experienced have actually turned into Girls Night In. There's something special about sharing secrets, laughs and maybe even a few tears with your best gals without an entire restaurant of people watching you or evil men eavesdropping.
That's why I propose that this month, while you're trying to decide what to do for that last summer hoorah with the girls, you actually make it a Girls Night In. After all, it's doesn't really matter where you are, it's who your with that counts.
But as we all know, whether you turn this Girls Night In into a backyard cook out or a pajama and movie night spent indoors, cocktails are sure to be a part of the equation.
What would a Girls Night (Out or In) be without them?
And because I know that while you're reading this, the delicious and refreshing taste of a Strawberry Daiquiri or Lime Margarita is sounding pretty amazing right about now, those may not be the best choices for your little gal pow-wow.
Instead, below is a list of recipes that will certainly help add a little flavor to your Girls Night, while also keep the calories in check and the tummy tucked in.
Watermelon Rum-Mash
(Makes 8 servings)
Recipe from Self.com
Who doesn't love the refreshing taste of watermelon? Not only will this cocktail surely keep your Girls Night sweet, but you'll each get a dose of lycopene, which helps fight cancer.
Ingredients:
6 fresh mint leaves, plus 8 additional springs for garnish
12 3/4 cups (2 3/4) qt) cubed, seedless watermelon pureed and strained
1 2/3 white rum (or to taste)
Preparation:
Crush mint leaves in the bottom of a large pitcher using a long wooden spoon. Add watermelon juice and rum; stir. Serve over ice; garnish with mint leaves.
The Skinny:
169 calories per serving, 0.3g fat (0g saturated), 15.8g carbs, 0.8g fiber, 1.3g protein.
Salty Chihuahua
(Makes 4 servings)
Recipe from eatingwell.com
This cocktail makes for one feisty Girls Night In. Sweet and sour mix with a little kick from Mexico. Ay Chihuahua!
Ingredients:
Coarse salt (optional)
4 ounces tequila, divided
2 ounces orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau, divided
3 cups grapefruit juice, divided
4 grapefruit slices for garnish
Preparation:
Wet the rims of four glasses and coat with coarse salt (if desired). Fill glasses with ice and pour one ounce of tequila and 1/2 an ounce of liqueur into each. Top each with 3/4 cup grapefruit juice and stir. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit.
The Skinny:
188 calories per serving, 0g fat (0g saturated), 23g carbs, 0g fiber, 1g protein.
Sangria Sparkler
(Makes 12 servings)
Recipe from fitnessmagazine.com
A pitcher of sangria is the perfect way to end a summer full of memories. Usually high in sugar, this recipe uses only a smidge and reaps the benefits of natural sugar from fresh oranges.
Ingredients:
750 milliliter bottle dry red wine
1 cup light orange juice
1/4 cup brandy or cognac
1/4 cup orange liqueur
2 tablespoons sugar
2 medium oranges, sliced
2 cups club soda, chilled
Crushed ice and/or orange peel curls (optional)
Preparation:
In a large pitcher combine wine, orange juice, brandy, orange liqueur, sugar and orange slices. Set to chill at least two hours. Add club soda before serving. Serve over crushed ice and/or with orange peel curls, if desired.
The Skinny:
100 calories per serving, 0g fat (0g saturated), 9g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g protein.
Green Tea Mojito
(Makes 1 serving)
Recipe from recipezaar.com
Everyone knows the benefits of green tea are huge. But put that together with the refreshing flavor and exotic Cuban feel of mojito and your gal pals will thank you.
Ingredients:
1/2 lime, juice of
6 large mint leaves
2/3 cup brewed green tea
1 to 1 1/2 ounce white rum
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Preparation:
If using sugar, muddle the sugar and mint together before adding lime juice. If not using sugar, pour lime juice into a glass, add the mint and crush with a spoon. Fill a glass with ice and add the tea and rum. Stir well and garnish with a mint leaf if desired.
The Skinny:
69 calories per serving, 0g fat (0g saturated), 1.7g carbs, 0.1g fiber, 0.1g protein.
Pomegranate Cosmos
(Makes 12 servings)
Recipe from eatingwell.com
As sure as we are that you and your gal pals went out and caught the "Sex and the City" movie, we're also sure that these cocktails will invite nothing but laughs, good times and the perfect end to the perfect summer.
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups pomegranate juice
2 1/4 cups vodka
1 cup lime juice
3/4 cup Cointreau or Grand Marnier
1/4 cup ginger juice
2 tablespoons sugar, preferably superfine "bar sugar," plus more for the rims
Strips of lime zest for garnish, if desired.
Preparation:
Mix pomegranate juice, vodka, lime juice, Cointreau (or Grand Marnier), ginger juice and sugar in a large pitcher. For each drink, fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice, add 1/2 cup Cosmo mix and shake until the shaker turns frosty and cold. Dip the rim of a martini (or highball) glass into water and then in sugar. Strain the drink into the martini glass (or over fresh ice in the highball glass). Garnish with a twist of lime zest, if desired.
The Skinny:
188 calories per serving, 0g fat (0 g saturated),17g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g protein.
Do you have your own favorite healthy summer cocktail recipe? Share it with all your Richmond gal pals in the comment section below.
Please sign in to respond | | Register