Anthology

Imbibe Without Breaking Your Resolution

by: Casey Pukl

Happy New Year! As always, with the new year comes the new resolutions. If you’re anything like the other 84% of Americans, you’ve probably vowed to either lose weight, eat better, or exercise more (I know I’m on the hook for all 3). Fortunately though, sticking to your resolution doesn’t have to mean fewer nights out on the town. Believe it or not, it is possible to make smart choices while indulging every now and again.

We all know that alcohol is notorious for destroying dieting efforts. Not only does it dehydrate the body and pack a good bit of sugar, but it loosens our inhibitions, making us more likely to nosh on those domino foods we all know we told ourselves we wouldn’t have.

Fortunately for us, Marc Canzoneri has come to the rescue with a few diet friendly beverages here at Anthology that won’t break the bank, and can reward you for all of your hard work in these first few days of the new year!

For the Wino:

Try sticking to dry red wines. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are all ideal choices. Red wine contains an antioxidant known as resveratrol that has been shown to help aid fat loss in recent studies. One 6oz glass of red wine contains approximately 140-160 calories. Avoid white wines and beer, which have higher sugar contents.

Anthology's Voodoo Child Cocktail

For the 2 Ingredient Fix:

There’s always the simple, tasty, tried and true route: booze and soda water. Gin or vodka (flavored is always a bonus) and soda with a lime are the two most common options. Both clock in at around 100 calories. While it’s not the fanciest option in the bar, it’s still a staple in the world of low calorie cocktails.

For the Cocktail Enthusiast:

If tequila is your thing, Marc recommends a delicious alternative to the traditional (and sugar-filled) margarita. The La Paloma contains tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and a hint of agave syrup. The drink is then topped with soda water. Agave syrup has a lower glycemic index than simple syrup (sugar water), and the fresh squeezed juices eliminate additional sugars and preservatives that are present in concentrated mixes (especially pre-made sour mix).

For the bourbon lovers, Whiskey Sours are actually not a bad choice. Use agave syrup instead of simple, add lemon juice, shake it up, and this classic cocktail can be consumed for less than 200 calories (use 1oz of bourbon instead of 1.5, and knock that down to 160)!

Looking for something a little more tropical? Try a sparkling Pina Colada (coconut rum, pineapple juice, and soda water) for that little taste of paradise.

My personal favorite option is actually one from our cocktail menu called “Voodoo Child”. Muddle a little cucumber and apple and shake with 2oz gin and a splash of simple syrup. Strain, and serve in a martini glass. Garnish by floating a thin apple slice on top of the drink, and placing a cucumber slice on the rim.

Added bonus: eat the apple and the cucumber for a boost in your fruit and veggie servings for the day!

Cheers!