By Monty Dayton
Calories in mixed drinks tend to add up more quickly than calories from beer or wine. The standard 1.5 ounce serving of 80 proof distilled liquor has around 96 calories before you add anything to it. Choosing a mixer that is loaded with sugar or has a high fat content is an easy way to add inches to the waistline.
For example you might think that apple, grapefruit or pineapple juice would be a healthy choice to add to a cocktail. But 6 ounces of either of these juices is equal to 90 calories and contains 21 carbohydrates, with most of the carbs coming in the form of sugar. Colas aren't much better as 8 ounces of cola contains 97 calories and 27 grams of sugar, creating a recipe for disaster. Mixers like Crème de Menthe and Crème de Cacao are much worse with a single ounce having as many as 100 calories or more.
When choosing a mixer for your cocktail it's important to avoid:
Regular Colas or Tonic. Diet sodas are zero calorie and free of sugar and make a much better choice
Drinks with heavy cream. One cup of eggnog (8 ounces) is equal to 343 calories and has 34 carbs. Because they are milk products they also tend to have a high fat content.
Alcohol high is sugar and calories. Flavored liqueurs like Crème de Menthe and Crème de Cacao have over 100 calories per ounce and account for 55 grams of carbohydrates.
Try a low calorie cocktail such as a white wine spritzer or mimosa or stick with a low calorie mixer like diet soda, or light sugar free versions of juice. Diet tonic and a teaspoon of lime or lemon juice contain only 10 calories and is another great option. Another option is skip the mixer altogether and drink alcohol that has flavored infused like many brands of vodka. Or you can create your own infusions at home.
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