4 Keto-Friendly Summer Cocktail Recipes You NEED in Your Life!
There’s no better feeling than sitting back and sipping a cool and refreshing cocktail on a hot summer’s day, right? ☀️ The sun is shining, you’re finally getting some downtime and there’s that added bonus of a little booze buzz! We had to share these four great recipes for summer cocktails that are not only delicious but low-carb and keto friendly – we’ll raise a glass to that!
No-Fail Cocktails! 🍹
Before we dive into the recipes themselves, here are three simple rules you should try to follow when concocting any cocktail. We’re not the party police but we do know that cocktails can lead to some embarrassing goings-on if you don’t keep an eye on your alcohol intake – not to mention hangovers, regret and ‘the fear’! Make sure you cover these basics to get the best from your cocktails without the danger of getting partied out early on.
Rule #1: Make Your Own
That’s sort of the point of this post! But whether you follow our recipes or not we really do believe you should make your own cocktails from scratch, here’s why. When making your own cocktails you can measure and judge exactly how much alcohol is going into the mix. That ominous jug of something that tastes like juice but is actually going to leave you pretty intoxicated is a thing of the past! What’s more, you can save a fortune by making your own cocktails vs. store-bought.
Rule #2: NEVER Use Energy Drinks
Combining booze and energy drinks has been a cocktail craze of recent years, with the idea that the caffeine in energy drinks will help you to party harder for longer. Whilst this is true, the trouble is that the effect of a massive caffeine and sugar dose provided by an energy drink masks the effects of alcohol. So, the warning signs of having too much can be harder to identify, leading you to drink more than is good for you. Aside from causing things like palpitations and insomnia – frequently mixing booze with energy drinks can also lead to long-term health problems such as anxiety and Type 2 Diabetes.
Rule #3: Stay Hydrated
OK, so this may seem a little parent-y or patronizing but bear with us! When it comes to cocktails it’s doubly important to stay hydrated, that’s because a) you’re probably drinking spirits and b) you’re probably sat out in the sun! Both of these factors mean that whilst you’re quenching your thirst and having a well-deserved treat, you’re also at risk of dehydrating. Getting a soft drink or glass of good old water between cocktails will help you replenish your body’s water stores, replace electrolytes lost in sweat and reduce the severity of your hangover!
OK, that’s the words of wisdom out the way – now time to get out your best jug, some mini umbrellas, and some fancy straws – eco-friendly of course.
Here’s our pick of the best low-carb cocktails to enjoy this summer:
Low Carb Moscow Mule!
The Moscow Mule is a cocktail menu veteran, traditionally made with vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. We’ve taken this sophisticated classic and switched out the ginger beer to give you all of the taste and none of the carbs! In place of ginger beer, we’ve used diet ginger ale (sugar-free) and some homemade ginger syrup that’s not only low carb but tastes amazing!
Ingredients:
500ml x Water
70g x NKD Living Granulated Erythritol
50g x Peeled and Sliced Ginger
100ml x Vodka
30ml x Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
30ml Ginger Syrup
200ml Diet Ginger Ale
Bunch of Fresh Mint Leaves
70g x NKD Living Granulated Erythritol
50g x Peeled and Sliced Ginger
100ml x Vodka
30ml x Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
30ml Ginger Syrup
200ml Diet Ginger Ale
Bunch of Fresh Mint Leaves
Method:
| 1. For the syrup, add the first 3 ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes and allow to cool for 1 hour before straining and storing in a sterilized jar for up to two weeks. |
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2. To use immediately in a low carb Moscow Mule, mix with the rest of the ingredients in a large jug with some ice cubes and a long stirrer, pour and enjoy! |
The Keto Mojito!
The mojito is a cocktail favorite, but famously contains a high amount of sugar. Do not dismay, we have tweaked the traditional recipe to accommodate for mojito mavericks who don’t want that whopping dose of sugar but do want a mind-blowing mojito! In place of sugar, we’ve used natural Stevia, for all of the sweetness without that blood sugar bomb going off and creating health havoc!
Ingredients:
2 tbs x Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
A handful x Crushed Ice
1 Shot x White Rum
200ml x Sparkling Water
A Few Fresh Mint Leaves
Method:
| Shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker and serve in a long glass, preferably by a pool 😉 (PS, coat the rim of the glass in stevia for a sweet finish and glamourous effect!) |
Sinless Sangria!
Who better to create a sun worshipper’s cocktail than the Spanish? This twist on a classic sangria comes in at only 3g carbs per serving – rejoice! One for sharing with friends, Sangria is the ultimate sociable cocktail. A bonus? Red wine is packed with health-enhancing antioxidants and phytonutrients (also available in plants, of course!). This recipe makes enough for a small jug, or a large jug crammed with that infamous Sangria fresh fruit!
Ingredients:
Method:
| Stir to blend and pour into glass tumblers - serve at room temperature for maximum flavor. |
Keto Bloody Mary!
A favorite for hair of the dog morning afters, the Bloody Mary is a cocktail menu must! This savoury and spicy drink is a great alternative for those who prefer a less sweet cocktail. The key here is to seek out some unsweetened tomato and vegetable juice. Tomatoes are naturally high in sugar and so finding a blend with low-carb veggies will allow you to have that Bloody Mary fix on a carb budget! This recipe makes one glass but can be easily adjusted for multiple servings!
Ingredients:
100ml x Unsweetened Tomato and Vegetable Juice
50ml x Vodka
1tsp x Worcestershire Sauce
Few Drops x Tabasco
1tsp x NKD Living Granulated Erythritol
1tsp Freshly Squeezed Lemon juice
½ tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
50ml x Vodka
1tsp x Worcestershire Sauce
Few Drops x Tabasco
1tsp x NKD Living Granulated Erythritol
1tsp Freshly Squeezed Lemon juice
½ tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Method:
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1. Mix all your ingredients together in a tall glass |
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2. Serve over ice and for a final hoorah, the brave and bold may wish to add a dollop of fiery horseradish, or freshly grated if preferred! |
So, there you have it, four amazing low-carb cocktails to keep you busy and merry this summer! As much as we all strive to follow a healthy lifestyle we deserve the occasional treat. In fact, having a drink every now and then encourages some healthy habits such as socializing, relaxing and rejuvenating. It goes without saying that alcohol should be enjoyed in moderation, but we think that these recipes are a great way to make the most of that moderation! Remember, most cocktails contain either fruit juice or sugar – making them a keto no-no. But replacing these with low carb alternatives like natural sugar replacements and low sugar drinks means you can enjoy your cocktail and stick to your keto values. Whichever recipe you choose, we hope you enjoy – and have a drink on us!
Author: Stephanie Masterman @NutriNoggin
Dated: 10/08/2019
Dated: 10/08/2019
References
- Studies on alcohol diuresis. I. The effect of ethyl alcohol ingestion on water, electrolyte and acid-base metabolism.
- British Soft Drinks Association, ‘Changing tastes. The UK Soft Drinks Annual Report 2015’, London, 2013
- Angela S. Attwood, ‘Alcohol and caffeine Caffeinated Alcohol Beverages: A Public Health Concern’, Alcohol and Alcoholism, vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 370–371, 2012
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