5 Healthy Cocktails for Summer

Enjoying the summer sunshine whilst sipping on a freshly made cocktail can be just the thing to help you relax into that holiday feeling. However, with most cocktails being full of empty calories, is there a healthier way to sip and savour over Christmas and New Year?

Here are our favourite tipples that are delicious whilst being heavily reduced in sugar and calories…but not in flavour.

Honey Mojito

The two main ingredients of a Mojito, mint and lime juice, are full of health benefits ranging from anti-oxidant qualities, to being natural stimulants, and by swapping the sugar for honey, you’ve just halved your calorie intake.

Start with a tumbler and fill to a quarter with crushed ice. Add 2 slices of lime, torn mint leaves, honey and muddle together. Finally, add the rum, top with soda and serve straight away.

Ingredients

Crushed ice

4 fresh mint leaves, torn up

1 Lime

1 tablespoon of honey

1 can of Soda

1 tot (25ml) of white rum

Gin & Tonic

Easy to make and featuring the “in” spirit, a classic G&T was first made popular back in the early 19th century and has had a revival thanks to craft producers creating some amazing, fresh varieties.

Pour your chosen gin into a chilled tumbler, top with tonic and add herbs. Simple.

Ingredients

25ml local Gin

1 can of sugar-free tonic

Fresh sprigs of thyme

Ice (optional)

Champagne/Methode Cap Classique cocktail

A classy drink that is perfect for serving to guests over the festive period.

Place the berries in the bottom of your champagne flutes and fill with your chosen bubble. Add a dash of lemon juice and voila, you’ve made the perfect stylish, low-calorie cocktail.

Ingredients

1 bottle of dry Champagne/MCC

A handful of raspberries

A handful of frozen cranberries

½ lemon

Ginger Kombucha with vodka

Called the “Immortal Health Elixir” by the Chinese, Kombucha promotes a healthy gut and can aid weight loss – something we could all do with over the holidays!

Fill a small glass with crushed ice and cover, equally, with vodka and kombucha. Finish with a few sprigs of mint and a thin slice of lemon.

Ingredients

Crushed ice

Good quality vodka

Ginger kombucha (any brand)

A handful of mint leaves

1 lemon

Spicy Tequila & Lemonade Cocktail

Arriba! Add a bit of spice to your life with this tasty mix of tequila and chilli peppers.

A breeze to make, simply pour tequila, coconut water and lemonade over ice, straight into your tumbler. Stir and then serve with a slice of Jalapeno.

Ingredients

25ml of tequila