Embrace Autumn with Low-Calorie Cocktails

Summer is almost over and if the warm weather persists is just another motive to embrace autumn with cool parties without forgetting of your diet.  Lower calorie cocktails are not difficult to make, so here are a couple of recipes.

Sangria Sparkler - 12 servings

Ingredients

•     1 cup of light orange juice

•     1/4 cup of brandy or cognac

•     1/4 cup of orange liqueur

•     2 cups of club soda, chilled

•     750-milliliter bottle of dry red wine

•     2 tablespoons of sugar

•     2 medium oranges, sliced

•     Crushed ice

Instructions

Mix everything (except the ice), let it chill for 2 hours and add the ice when served.

Nutritional information

9g carbohydrate, 100 calories, no protein, fat, and fiber.

Mojito Fresco - 8 servings

Ingredients

•     2 large limes, cut into pieces

•     Quartered limes or mint leaves

•     Ice cubes

•     2 cups of water

•     2/3 cup of sugar

•     1/4 cup of light rum

•     1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves

Instructions

Leave 8 slices of lime aside and combine the rest in a blender, along with 2/3 cup of sugar and 2 cups of water.  Blend for until limes are chopped, strain through a sieve into a pitcher, and add 2 cups of additional water.  Let it chill for 1-2 hours.

Then stir rum into the mixture and moisten the rims of 8 glasses with the 8 slices of lime left aside.  Dip rims in sugar, divide mint among glasses and press it into the bottom of each glass with a wooden spoon, so you will release the flavor.

Fill the glasses with ice cubes, pour chilled lime mixture over them and add mint leaves.  Ready to serve!

Nutritional information

95 calories, 21g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, no saturated fat and protein.