A low-calorie summer citrus cocktail recipe made with vodka, freshly squeezed summer citrus, and sparkling water for the perfect lightened-up summer drink.
This month's Recipe Redux theme is about cocktails and mocktails to celebrate the summer season. Celebrations abound this time of year, like graduation parties, bridal showers, and summer festivities. I love summer weather and that's a good thing because Atlanta can get crazy HOT and humid over the next several months.
I like to cool down with a refreshing cocktail on the weekends, but I don't want to wreck my diet with calorie-laden drinks. I've never been a fan of super sweet drinks. Cocktails like Pina Coladas and Daiquiris are overkill to me...WAY too much sugar. I might as well eat a cupcake if I'm going to down those sugar calories.
Maybe it's just me, but I'd much rather chew my calories than drink them. I'm all about the food! Recipes like this low-calorie summer citrus cocktail are my favorite kind of lightened-up concoction to cool off in the summer heat. Not to mention, they make a pretty presentation!
Summer Cocktail Favorites
This combination of sparkling water, freshly squeezed citrus with a top-shelf vodka, and a splash of juice is my go-to cocktail. Sometimes I'll switch it up with diet cranberry juice (or just a splash of regular) with lime. Another favorite drink blend is freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, vodka, and club soda. These cocktail combos are tasty, not too sweet, and easy on the waistline. I'm also a big fan of skinny margaritas, summer sparkling tropical sangria, and my favorite mojito recipe! Is it happy hour yet?!!!! I'm getting thirsty!
By the way, if you're not a drinker, this summer citrus cocktail is great as a mocktail! It's super simple and full of flavor with or without the vodka. My daughter loves drinking sparkling fruit water out of champagne glasses. It makes her feel fancy.
Low-Calorie Summer Citrus Cocktail
Ingredients
- Ice to fill glass ¾ full
- 1 ½ oz good quality vodka
- 2 oz orange juice
- ½ lime juiced
- ¼ lemon juiced
- ¼ orange juiced
- sparkling water to fill glass
Instructions
- Fill a 16 oz glass ¾ full with ice
- Add vodka
- Add fresh squeezed juices and orange juice
- Top with sparkling water
- Garnish with extra fruit and fresh mint
Nutrition
Do you have a favorite lightened-up summer drink? Share with me in the comments below!
Don't miss out on all of the other lightened-up drinks, like this low calorie Summer Citrus Cocktail, from my Recipe Redux friends below!
Click the link to view all of the great recipes shared by dietitians and healthy living bloggers! Cheers!
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Serena
Gorgeous photos. (I find glasses tricky to shoot!) And I'm all into this months theme. Starting a Pin board just for all the cocktail ideas. KNOW I'll make yours as we have a garden full of mint!
Amee Livingston
Thank you Serena! Yes, there are so many great drink ideas for summer! I'm loving it, too!!