With summer well under way, most of us have or will attend summer parties. Of course, alcoholic beverages will be abundant at these parties. But, if you aren’t careful, you could end up consuming more in calories by booze than food.
Two of my long time favorites are the Long Island Tea and the ever popular Margarita. The Long Island Tea with with five different liquors (gin, vodka, tequila, rum, and triple sec) also has a high amount of high fructose corn syrup and packs about 700 calories. The Margarita, not far behind, has about 500 calories per glass. This is mostly due to the pre-made mixes that also have a lot of high fructose corn syrup, attributing to the high calorie content.
Instead you can save many calories by choosing a Cosmopolitan (200 calories in 4 oz glass) or a Mojito (160 calories in a 8 oz glass). Sangria is another tasty summer drink that is low in calories. There are about 200 calories in an 8 oz serving. It is especially great if you are red wine fan as I am. I find that red wine tends to make me warm, which is great in the winter, but not so much in the summer.
Here’s a great Sangria recipe that I love to make during summer:
Peach Sangria
4 large ripe peaches, sliced into small 2″ pieces
2 750 ml bottles of Tempranillo (Spanish wine)
4 TBSP sugar (add more depending on how sweet you like it)
2 – 3 shots Brandy
2 C Ginger Ale (Optional)
Pour wine into pitcher. Add sugar. Add peach slices, squeezing the juice from them as you add to mixture. Add Brandy. Add Ginger Ale if you like a bubbly flavor to your sangria. Stir mixture well. Let sit overnight.
