Skinny Sparkling Cocktails

New Year’s Eve is the perfect opportunity to drink smart – and no, I don’t just mean taking advantage of free public transportation or making a resolution to read something besides the comic strips… I mean the actual drink of choice on this night — champagne (or sparkling wine, depending on your preferred region) is a favorite of the Hollywood glamorous and skinny models all over the world.  And we know they know what’s what.

Sparkling wine is low in carbs – usually about 5 per glass for the dryer varietals (“brut”, in champagne speak).  The sweetest varietal is only 10 carbs per glass — not bad, considering most nights out find us slurping on sugary mixed drinks and artificially flavored liqueurs.  And you can count on fewer than 100 calories per glass of this celebratory libation.

If you don’t want to drink the stuff straight (or simply want to mask the taste of a not-so-great, yet affordable bubbly) you have plenty of options that will still keep you in healthy mode –as long as you mix accordingly.  Here are a few favorite champagne-inspired recipes (and take-offs on some otherwise not healthy ones), that will keep your calories down, and your fun up this holiday season.  Cheers to a fabulous New Year!

Chic Champagne Cobbler

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. orange-infused vodka
Orange slice
Champagne

Fill goblet with crushed ice. Add lemon juice, orange and vodka and stir.  Top off with champagne and stir gently again. 125 calories

Magna Carta, More Magnificent

1 1/2 oz. tequila
1/2 oz. orange-infused vodka
1/4 oz. Blue Agave Nectar
Champagne

Add nectar, tequila and vodka and stir.  Add ice, then champagne and stir gently. 140 calories – but remember, tequila breaks up fat and lowers cholesterol so the extra few calories are well-spent!

Lightened Up Poinsettia

(featured in South Shore Woman’s December Issue of Wink Webzine)

½ oz. Orange-infused vodka
Brut Sparkling Wine
Splash light cranberry juice (or make your own – it’s so easy!)
Tsp. Organic Blue Agave Nectar

In a champagne flute, stir together agave nectar and chilled vodka.  Add sparkling wine, and top with cranberry juice.  For extra holiday spirit, muddle some fresh cranberries in bottom of glass with the nectar.

Pear Sparkler

1/2 oz. Pear-infused Vodka
Brut Sparkling Wine
Splash Light Cranberry Juice (or make your own!)
1/2 tsp. Blue Agave Nectar

Start with (chilled) vodka and nectar in bottom of champagne flute. Stir thoroughly.  Add the sparkling wine. Top with splash of cranberry juice. 130 calories

If you want to make this as a punch for some sort of party (New Years Eve, anyone?), then keep to these ratios:

1 part Vodka
2 parts Sparkling Wine
1 part Juice

Other tips when drinking something besides plain champagne:

• Avoid Kir Royales or other similar type drinks that call for the addition of high-sugared liqueurs to the bubbly.
• If you must add something, add natural infused spirits like orange-infused or cranberry-infused vodka to keep your carbs down.
• Have one glass of water for every glass of champagne consumed throughout the night.  It will keep your pace down, and help to keep you hydrated so that you avoid the mother hangover of them all – NEW YEARS DAY!
• And one last thing – enjoy! Take the time to sit back, relax and slow down a bit this holiday season. It’s pretty hard to run around with a champagne flute in your hand! Set aside some me (my cocktail) time and you’ll be sure to have a memorable and enjoyable season!

Drink Well!

Jen Kearney Harris
Scituate, MA
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