An unending supply of fresh berries is definitely one of the highlights of Summer. It's fun to eat them fresh, but the amount of recipes you can make with them is staggering. For a home cook this is pretty close to paradise. From muffins to cocktails — and even pizza! — here are 12 healthy berry recipes that we've got in heavy rotation this season.
If you dream of Summer afternoons where you can sip on a favorite cocktail and bask in the sun, then get ready! It's time to fill up a hefty pitcher, enjoy the weather, and share it with friends. Whether you're entertaining twenty people or a party of one, here's a collection of refreshing spirits that are sure to turn up the heat at your next seasonal bash.
One of my favorite Summer cocktails is the bramble, a mix of gin, lemon, fresh blackberries, and blackberry liqueur. It's also a recipe that's easy to play around with, which makes for a fun day of improvising — something I did this past weekend. Instead of gin, I chose tequila as the base spirit; to me, tequila is the perfect complement to warm weather and fresh fruit.
For anyone craving a fruity cocktail minus the calories, this variation of a classic bramble is a good choice. Like most brambles, it avoids store-bought mixers or fruit juice, but relies on fresh, seasonal blackberries and a hint of agave syrup for its sweetness. In the end, you'll have made a cocktail that is less than 200 calories.
During the weekend I love going to brunch with my girlfriends, especially because of the mimosas and Bloody Marys. Brunch can get pretty heavy though, and the cocktails are no exception. On their own, most spirits average around 120 calories in a typical pour. Start adding fruit and veggie juice to the mix and that number quickly goes up — a Bloody Mary can easily add 350 calories and a ton of sodium to your meal. But since I love a good Bloody Mary, I'm not giving them up. Instead, I make healthier versions at home. In a way, it's almost like having a salad in a cup!
Try my tips to healthify your own Bloody Mary:
To see the rest of the tips, read more
I love imbibing on a warm day — especially after a long run or outdoor workout. But I'm not trying to void my workout with a cocktail full of hidden calories. After doing a little research and experimenting with recipes at home, I found the perfect calorie-friendly cocktail: the mojito! And with rising temperatures on the way, it's becoming my new weekend cocktail.
Since a mojito is made with fresh ingredients and zero-calorie soda water, it ends up being a much better choice than cocktails like a gin and tonic or a rum and coke. You can also make the drink even fresher and more seasonal by muddling in some fruit from your local farmers market; I love adding strawberries or pineapple to mine. I also find that adding fruit means I can cut down on the amount of sugar I add to the recipe.
See the recipe and my calorie breakdown of the cocktail when you read more
My weakness is a good cocktail — I've been known to sacrifice calories in the name of whiskey. A vodka and soda may save on carbs, but it's no match to Beretta's Improved Whiskey Cocktail or a properly made Mai Tai. So when Skyy Spirits sent me a bottle of its low-calorie X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, I was skeptical. It's bright pink, has "X-Rated" splashed across the bottle, and looks cloyingly sweet — basically not something I'd ever touch. But its low-calorie profile intrigued me. Maybe X-Rated Liqueur was my ticket to a happy hour that didn't involve being chastised by my trainer the next day.
Described as a blend of French vodka, blood oranges, mango, and passion fruit, I initially tried X-Rated on its own and was surprised at how refreshing it tasted — smooth, light, and not too sweet. Why it's a major calorie saver is because you don't need to add additional mixers (read: sugar) to your drink. Since the fruit flavors are more pronounced than what you'd find in an infused vodka, it's like someone already added the juice. Great shaken and strained on its own like a martini, I like it best when mixed with soda water and a squeeze of lemon.
To find out how many calories are in X-Rated, read more
TGIF! Before heading out to a bar, party, or friend's house, test your knowledge of the calorie counts in popular cocktails so you don't end up drinking more than expected. Think you know which drinks have more then 200 calories?
Remember, drinking responsibly is more than just a calorie count. If you're drinking, don't drive.
It's cold outside and I'm feeling festive, and something about warm drinks filled with Winter spices gets me every time! Since Winter is not going away any time soon, neither is the temptation of an eggnog habit. But, instead of reaching for fat-filled boozy eggnog, hot buttered rum, or spiked hot chocolate, make yourself a hot toddy instead. This classic cold-weather warmer has all the same seasonal spices of eggnog and pumpkin pie, but with way fewer calories. And it's even been known to knock out a cold or two; perhaps it's the citrus, honey, and good-for-you cinnamon at work? Whatever it is, the hot toddy is one of team FitSugar's favorite ways to imbibe over the holidays minus the guilt.
See the recipe when you read more
Only 11 days until New Year's Eve!
Diana Ross was a pro at making a stylish splash on stage, and during the '70s and '80s, she rocketed to solo stardom and brought her ultraglam looks out on the town to tons of parties and events. Her iconic style is dazzling and dramatic, yet easy to echo. If you're looking to push your New Year's ensemble to the max this year, go all the way in a fringed maxidress, or a chic fringed statement jacket. Channel the diva Diana with giant hoop earrings and a cocktail ring, and remember: a look this glam calls for extra-high heels, so slip on a pair of sparkly platforms and get ready to hit the floor.
Only 14 days until New Year's Eve! Do you know what you'll be wearing when you ring in 2011? We want everyone to get their gorgeous on, so every day for the next two weeks we'll be providing killer NYE party outfits inspired by our favorite style icons of past and present.
Let's kick things off with the always stunning (and newly pregnant) Jennifer Connelly. While it helps that she has the most gorgeous legs in the universe, this tuxedo look is heavenly on its own. A structured black blazer lends sophistication and sexiness to playful shorts. For those sick of the evening LBD, this might be the style remedy you've been waiting for. Tip: try lace or sequin shorts to add texture. Love what you see? Click the items to buy.
