Cocktails :)

It's getting warm outside!  In St. Louis, that means we have a few weeks of beautiful weather before it's 105 degrees with 98% humidity every. single. day.  I like to enjoy the spring weather while I have the chance so I don't blink & miss it.  

One of my FAVORITE things about spring has always been sitting outside on a nice evening and sharing some drinks with friends.  In the past, that has always been beer, cider or gin & tonic...but since carbonated drinks are now a no-no for me, I need to think outside the pint.  So here are a handful of fruity, non-carbonated (mostly low-cal) drinks that may tickle your fancy!

Blueberry Crush
2 parts Skinny Girl 'Bare Naked' vodka
15 muddled blueberries
3/4 part ginger syrup
3/4 part fresh lemon juice

Muddle blueberries, ginger syrup and fresh lemon juice in the bottom of a rocks glass.  Add vodka and top with crushed ice.  Garnish with blueberries.


Peachy Keen
1 shot silver rum (1.5 ounces)
1 medium peach, peeled & chopped
1 cup Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry Juice
juice of 1 lime
handful of ice cubes

Add to blender and blend to desired consistency.  Add more ice if needed.


Skinny Pina Colada
Blend together:
1/2 cup unsweetened frozen pineapple chunks
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 shot coconut-flavored rum
1/4 cup light coconut milk
4 ice cubes


Blackberry Bramble
1 1/2 parts gin
3/4 part blackberry liqueur
3 blackberries
3/4 part lemon juice
1 part simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker, top with ice and shake vigorously.


Easy Margaritas 
(makes 6)
1/2 can frozen limeade concentrate
6 oz. tequila
2 tablespoons cointreau (or triple sec)
1 quart ice cubes
2 packets stevia (optional)

Blend to desired consistency.


Seabreeze
1 part vodka
2 parts no-sugar-added grapefruit juice
1 part Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry Juice

Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker, top with ice and shake vigorously.


Bourbon & Blood Orange
2 parts bourbon
1 1/2 parts blood orange juice
1/2 part lemon juice
1 1/4 parts simple syrup
4 parts ginger ale

Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker (you're supposed to add the ginger ale afterwards, but I will do it this way from now on to de-carbonate it); shake gently.  Pour over ice.


Mango Margaritas
1 jar (20 oz.) mango chunks, drained
3/4 cup tequila
3/4 cup triple sec
1/8 cup sugar
1 lime

Throw mango chunks into blender; add tequila, triple sec and sugar.  Squeeze in lime juice, and top off with ice.  Blend until smooth.


Summer Peach
2 parts X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
4 parts peach tea

Shake in cocktail shaker with ice; garnish with fresh peach slices


Skinny Arnold Palmer
2 parts sweet tea vodka
4 parts Crystal Light lemonade

Combine and pour over ice



If anyone has other skinny/fun summer drinks to share, please do!  I'm always on the lookout for a fun new cocktail to test out.

Happy sipping  :)
-Mon