Just because you’re following a low carb, low calorie lifestyle doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your cocktails once in a while. And I’ve got three recipes that will help you enjoy the weekend. But first, let’s talk about why we need low carb, low calorie cocktails.
Have anyone ever mentioned to you that your metabolism slows waaaaaaaaay down when you hit 40? You might have heard it but you won’t believe it until it happens to you. And suddenly pizza and wine are the enemy.
I’m always trying to find a workaround. I did the Whole 30 plan! And it kind of worked for me. I did the 21 Day Keto Reset Diet and that definitely worked for me. And then I started eating and drinking all the things I love and weight started sticking around again.
I’ve found that low carb, low calorie is the one plan that works for me. And it’s pretty easy to accomplish that if I eat meat and veggies and some healthy fats (hello, avocado!). But with summer approaching, I’m going to want to sit outside on my porch swing with a cocktail in hand. And I don’t have to blow my carb and calorie allotment to do it.
In my quest for these magical cocktails, I partnered with Stirrings, a brand that caters to the cocktail connoisseur.
Founded in Nantucket in 1997 with the mission: use only the best ingredients and create cocktail mixers and bar ingredients that people feel good about drinking.
They sent me a “bar kit” of my choosing and I selected the following products, knowing they could make all the things I need for my household in any given summer weekend:
And now it’s time to share these easy cocktails for your low carb enjoyment.
Low Carb Cosmopolitan
Everyone knows that vodka is a great choice for low carb cocktails. In fact, anytime someone orders a Vodka Soda with lime, I immediately know they are low-carbing it. But you CAN have more variety with Stirrings 5 Calorie Cosmopolitan Cocktail Mix!
It’s a lighter flavor than a typical Cosmo but I enjoyed it because I don’t love super sweet drinks!
Low Carb Cosmopolitan Recipe
3 oz. Stirrings 5 Calorie Cosmopolitan Cocktail Mix
1.5 oz. vodka (I usually use Tito’s Handmade Vodka)
Limes
Add ice to a martini glass to let the glass chill while you’re preparing your cocktail. Measure the cocktail mix and the vodka into a shaker container with a lot of ice. Shake vigorously. Remove the ice from the martini glass and pour your mix into the glass. Garnish with lime and enjoy!
Ingredients in Stirrings 5 Calorie Cosmopolitan Cocktail Mix: WATER, CRANBERRY JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE (WATER, CRANBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE), KEY LIME JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE (WATER, KEY LIME JUICE CONCENTRATE), NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID (FOR FLAVOR), FRUIT & VEGETABLE JUICE FOR COLOR, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM.
Calories: 110 (5 calories from the Cosmo Mix, 105 calories from vodka)
Carbs: 2g
Low Carb Dirty Martini
Technically there’s no such thing as a “Low Carb Dirty Martini” because martinis are naturally low carb. But Stirrings makes it easy with their Dirty Martini Mix made from Imported Olive Brine. I love the saltiness of this drink but I needed to double the normal amount of the Dirty Martini mix for my taste (it’s reflected in the recipe below).
Dirty Martini Recipe
3 oz. vodka (clearly this drink is for the strong)
4 teaspoons Stirrings Dirty Martini Mix
Olives
Add ice to a martini glass to let the glass chill while you’re preparing your cocktail. Measure the vodka and add the Dirty Martini Mix into a shaker container with a lot of ice. Shake vigorously. Remove the ice from the martini glass and pour your mix into the glass. Garnish with olives and enjoy!
Ingredients in Stirrings Dirty Martini Mix: WATER, OLIVE JUICE, SALT, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR.
Calories: 210 (70 calories per ounce of vodka and 0 calories in the Dirty Martini Mix)
Carbs: 2g (from the olives, so you can skip if you want!)
Low Carb Margarita
If vodka isn’t your thing, no worries because tequila is here to save the day! Tequila is actually lower in calories than vodka so this drink might just be your best bet if you crave flavor in your drinks. The Stirrings 5 Calorie Margarita Cocktail Mix has a light flavor that’s refreshing for the summer. The Margarita Rimmer is an added bonus because it uses sea salt infused with natural lime oils, a blend of spices and a hint of mint.
Low Carb Margarita Recipe
3 oz. Stirrings 5 Calorie Margarita Cocktail Mix
1.5 oz. tequila
Stirrings Margarita Rimmer
Limes
Grab your glasses for your margarita. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip in the Stirrings Margarita Rimmer. Measure the cocktail mix and the tequila into a shaker container with a lot of ice. Shake vigorously. Remove the ice from the martini glass and pour your mix into the glass (or serve over ice). Garnish with lime and enjoy!
Ingredients in Stirrings 5 Calorie Margarita Cocktail Mix: WATER, KEY LIME JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE (WATER, KEY LIME JUICE CONCENTRATE), CITRIC ACID (FOR FLAVOR), NATURAL FLAVOR, PECTIN, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM.
Ingredients in Stirrings Margarita Rimmer: SEA SALT, SUGAR, CITRIC ACID, ORANGE PEEL, NOT MORE THAN 2%: LIME OIL, SPICE, SPEARMINT, SILICON DIOXIDE (To Prevent Caking).
Calories: 74 (64 calories from tequila, 5 calories from Margarita Mix, 5 calories from Margarita Rimmer)
Carbs: 11g (8g from tequila, 2g from Margarita Mix, 1g from Rimmer)
Ready for summer? At the very least, ready for the weekend?
If you’re looking for healthy drink alternatives, we actually drink a LOT of flavored seltzer and kombucha. But once in a while, you just need an adult beverage. What I love is that each mixer also has a non-alcoholic recipe on the back. We actually used a few (along with the simple syrup) so that my son could experience a few virgin drinks in fancy glasses while I enjoyed my cocktail.
If you’d like to check out Stirrings bar products and mixers, you can order from their website or find them at a local store near you.
If I’ve missed a low carb, low calorie cocktail that you love, I’d love to hear what you’re drinking this summer!
