Many people who regularly log 75 minutes of CrossFit and swear off the bread basket order a cocktail (or cocktails) without reservation. Yet one poorly chosen cocktail can add as many calories as a burger and fries to the daily caloric budget. Moreover, alcohol interferes with metabolism and encourages abdominal fat storage (the beer belly isn't just for beer drinkers).
There is a lot of misinformation circulating about the "healthiest" libation choices. Vodka sales have skyrocketed in recent years due, in part, to the belief that clear spirits are lower in calories than their caramel counterparts (whiskey, dark rum and añejo tequila). In reality, the calorie count in spirits (without added flavors) like vodka, rum and gin depends on proof, not color. The average 1.5 ounce serving of 80-proof alcohol will set you back about 100 calories before mixers.
A little juice, cola or sweet and sour may not sound serious until you consider that each mixer can add 50 to 100 calories to the final tally. Moreover, many cocktails include several shots and liqueurs like Baileys and Kahlua, with higher calorie counts.
The easiest way to regulate calories is to drink your spirit of choice straight up, on the rocks, or with water/soda water. "Mix your favorite liqueur with low-calorie options such as diet soda or light juice," suggests Angela Ginn, RD, LDN, CDE, national spokesperson for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She also suggests reducing portion size by avoiding "mega" drinks. "The key is enjoy one - no seconds."
Of course, even a saint can burn out on drinking vodka diet sodas, which is why some watering holes around Fort Worth now offer "skinny cocktails" usually made up of one shot (1.5 oz) of alcohol and a bottled low-cal mixer.
Bartenders Austin Bird and Evan Williams at The Usual (1408 W. Magnolia) take a different approach. They rely on fresh ingredients and classic combinations rather than artificially sweetened mixers to naturally reduce sugar content.
"A skinny margarita made with artificially flavored mixers only has marginally fewer calories than a margarita made with fresh ingredients," Bird says. "A traditional daiquiri has fewer calories than a daiquiri made with bottled mix, and it tastes much better."
Fireside Pies (2949 Crockett) also focuses on artisanal drinks made with fresh ingredients. Barman Chase Hanley says that they don't get many requests for skinny cocktails, but he has been known to make simple syrup with Splenda from time to time for regulars. And the cocktail menu at Grace (777 Main) includes agave as a natural simple syrup replacement.
An informed happy hour decision won't break the calorie bank if you ask for fresh and keep portions small.
Local Low-Cal Options
The Great Datsby
Courtesy of Chef DAT, David Anthony Temple
• 1 ½ oz Waterloo Gin
• 1 slice of lime
• 4 oz tonic water
• 2 dashes of peach bitters
• 1 thyme sprig for garnish
Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the gin. Rim the glass with lime slice and then squeeze into the glass with the gin. Fill glass with tonic water and add 2 dashes of bitters. Garnish with the thyme sprig. Approximately 140 calories.
Classic Daiquiri
Courtesy of The Usual
• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• ½ oz simple syrup (2:1 sugar/water mix)
• 1 slice lime, garnish
Fill shaker 2/3 with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel. Approximately 140 calories.
Grapefruit Rickey
Courtesy of Fireside Pies
• 1 ½ oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 ½ oz vodka
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• ½ oz St. Germaine Elderflower
• ½ oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar/water mix)
• 2 oz club soda
• 1 slice grapefruit
Fill shaker 2/3 with ice. Add grapefruit and lime juices with vodka, elderflower and simple syrup and pour over ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit. Approximately 175 calories.
Basil Gimlet
Courtesy of Grace
• 2 ½ oz Square One vodka
• ½ oz Agave Nectar
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 3-4 basil leaves
Fill shaker 2/3 with ice. Tear basil leaves and add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Approximately 200 calories (Ask for half the agave and save an additional 20 calories).
