New Year’s Eve Skinny Cocktails!

Are you planning a fun night out to ring in the New Year?

No?

Are you going to have a nightcap at home and say Happy New Year at 10:30 so you can go to bed?

I’m likely going to fall into the second category myself. With weeks filled with travel and holidays out of town, I’m looking forward to ringing in the New Year right at home.

Just the same, I want to have a little cocktail to feel like the night is special. I don’t often drink cocktails, mostly I’m a wine drinker. I generally reserve cocktails to a night like New Year’s Eve. Cocktails and calories typically go hand in hand. The culprit? It’s more in the juice, syrup or sodas mixed in the liquor. While you can’t find a liquor that doesn’t contain calories, you can find several calorie free mixers!

Today I ventured out to Target to see what options they might have to mix with the vodka I got as a gift about a year ago (I told you I didn’t drink a lot of cocktails!) Here are some of the great options I found!

Target’s Brand “Market Pantry” had several great flavors of calorie free “Sparkling Chill” including Pink Grapefruit, Orange Mango, Peach Pear and Kiwi Strawberry. Mix one shot of vodka to about 4 ounces of sugar free beverage plus add a slice of orange, lemon, lime kiwi, etc for added fun!

For my many clients and followers who need to avoid carbonated beverages I would recommend another variety of calorie free mixers. Fruit Water comes in soooo many different flavors. Shown here: Watermelon Punch, Strawberry Kiwi, Orange Mango, Lemon-Lime, Black Raspberry. I thought the Orange Mango with a slice of orange sounded like a great way to close out 2013!

In addition to Diet Cranberry Juice, Ocean Spray also has a Cran-Lemonade in diet. This sounded like a great option for summer time! But not quite what I was going for.

And finally…my selection. I had an idea I really wanted Diet Cranberry Juice with my Vodka and some fresh lime juice. I was keeping my mind open, but ended up with the original plan. If you have leftover fresh cranberries…that would be a nice touch to make this drink feel very festive!

This has nothing to do with cocktails. I just wanted to WARN YOU not to fall into the “oh but it’s a great bargain” when it comes to tempting sweets. (This sign is actually 30% off so before you rush to Target for 80% off…I hope you read this fine print :) )

Also has nothing to do with cocktails. But…seriously???? Pecan Pie Pringles? Even if I was tempted by the above picture…this one helped me to lose my appetite.

Skinny Cape Cod 

3 ounces Diet Cranberry Juice

2 ounces Vodka

1 Lime Wedge