Low-Calorie Cocktails to Celebrate the 4th of July

Independence Day is just around the corner, and dieters everywhere are gathering up the willpower to turn down calorie-laden alcoholic beverages.

While it’s true that most sugary margaritas and other fruity summer drinks are high in calories, sticking to your diet does not have to mean sipping diet soda while your friends enjoy their favorite mixed drinks. Mix up a batch of these crowd-friendly, low-calorie cocktails, and join in the 4th of July fun.

Red and Refreshing Punch

This festive recipe makes eight,  120-calorie servings and is easy to mix in a large pitcher. Start with 1 liter of diet grapefruit soda, and add 1 cup of light cranberry juice cocktail, 1 cup of raspberry vodka, and ¼ cup of triple sec. Stir in plenty of ice, and serve in your favorite cocktail glasses with paper flags as garnish.

Maraschino Margaritas

Classic margarita recipes call for a lot of high-calorie, sugary ingredients, but this contains just 170 calories per serving. A touch of maraschino cherry juice adds just enough sweetness and a festive red color. To make two margaritas, combine 2 tablespoons of maraschino cherry juice, 2 shots of light tequila, 3 ounces of lime juice and a splash of Grand Marnier over ice in a shaker. Shake until moisture beads up on the outside, and strain into salt-rimmed martini glasses.

True Blue American

Similar to a Blue Hawaiian, this cocktail will you remind you of the tropics. You’ll need a blender for this recipe, but it makes enough to share amongst six friends. Each serving contains approximately 160 calories. In your blender, combine ½ cup of light rum, 1 ounce of cream of coconut, ½ cup of pineapple juice, ½ cup of sugar-free lemonade, and ¼ cup of Blue Curacao.  Add 10-12 ice cubes, and blend until smooth. Garnish your glasses with maraschino cherries for the full red, white, and blue experience.

The key to keeping your calorie intake in check on Independence Day is moderation. Though the recipes above are lower in calories than most cocktails, the calories can still add up quickly if you aren’t careful. Keep your intake under control by drinking a glass of water between cocktails. This will also keep your alcohol intake in check, so you can have a safe and enjoyable holiday.