A Trio of Quick and Easy Healthy Cocktails to Enjoy this Autumn
If you’re attempting to improve your diet — whether that means taking in fewer calories or carbs, or less sugar — you’ll find that the majority of the choices on a cocktail menu are out of the question. Fortunately for you, this article will show you a few healthy cocktails that are easy to make at home!
No matter if your go-to tipple is a glass of beer, wine, rum, gin or a whiskey on the rocks, there’s a lot to be said for the pleasure of sitting down with a delicious cocktail and taking a load off. Unfortunately, due to the sweet and fruity nature of most cocktails (and many drinks), they aren’t the healthiest drink to be indulging. An abundance of sugar and carbohydrates isn’t ideal for anyone looking to maintain a diet or lose weight, but, rather than give up cocktails altogether, why not try a healthier alternative?
Pimms Cup
While most people would associate this drink with summer gatherings or spectators at Wimbledon, there’s nothing to stop you from enjoying a Pimms Cup during the chillier months. In fact, it should be encouraged, as the inclusion of fruit provides at least one of your five a day. Just try not to go overboard with those natural sugars!
Ingredients and Method:
- 200ml Pimm’s No. 1
- 600ml lemonade (go diet or sugar-free for a healthy option)
- Mint sprigs, sliced cucumber, orange, and strawberries, to serve
A Pimms Cup is not only delicious, but it also couldn’t be more simple to make. All you have to do is fill a jug with ice, Pimms No.1 and Lemonade; add the ingredients and stir!
Bloody Mary
A Bloody Mary is one of those cocktails that seems like it was invented by throwing together everything someone happened to have in their cupboards at the time. However, this combination of ingredients and flavours make it one of the healthier — but still incredibly tasty — cocktails out there. It’s low in calories, has minimal carbs, and works well with Tabasco sauce, if you’re partial to a spicy twist.
Ingredients and Method:
- One large handful of ice
- 100ml of vodka
- 500ml tomato juice
- One tbsp lemon juice, plus two slices to serve
- A few shakes of Worcestershire sauce
- A few shakes of Tabasco (optional)
- A pinch of salt and black pepper
- Two celery sticks to serve
Measure the vodka, lemon juice and tomato juice, and pour straight into a jug with the ice. Add a few shakes of Tabasco (or more, depending on how you like your spice), Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir and then strain the cocktail into two tall glasses. Top up with fresh ice, and add a stick of celery and a lemon slice to both glasses. Enjoy!
Classic Mojito
A classic Mojito is a perfect example of a cocktail that needs little in the way of additional ingredients or sugars to be delicious and refreshing, and the inclusion of mint bestows a wide range of health benefits. Whether you’re looking for a healthy option to embrace on nights out or want to try something new at home, a Mojito is a quick, easy and tasty choice.
Ingredients and Method:
- One lime (juiced/squeezed)
- One tsp of granulated sugar
- One small handful of mint leaves, plus an extra sprig to serve
- 60ml of white rum (more or less if preferred)
- Soda water
Mix the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go. Pour into a tall glass with ice. Add the rum and stir, then top up with soda water. Garnish with extra mint leaves., and voila!