If you have been anywhere near cocktail service in the past few months you will hear at least one person inquire if the bartender can make a “Skinny Margarita”. No one re-invented the wheel, bars have just replaced “diet” with “skinny” to indicate a reduced calorie option. So what does that mean, really?
Well, let’s start with a classic margarita (origins ranging from the 1920’s-1940’s). Combine 1.5oz tequila with 1oz triple sec, and 0.5oz fresh lime juice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. It looks like a “Margarita Martini”.
Doesn’t sound like the margarita you had out on the town last night? Well that one most likely was served frozen or over ice and contained four to six ounces of “margarita mix” or “sour mix” plus the added bonus of any other sweetened fruit mix like strawberry or mango (even the “real fruit” choices are manufactured and preserved with sugar) to enhance the flavor.
So you’re stuck. The original recipe doesn’t sound interesting enough and even a bit raw but the contemporary “quickie” margarita is filled with mixes that can boost one drink to over 600 calories!
Well in the last several decades, our palettes have grown to enjoy a slightly sweeter margarita thanks to mass media marketing and increased use of preservatives. Drinks are sweetened now by everything from granulated sugar, raw sugar, Stevia or Aspartame. What’s the best choice if you want to keep the calories in check?
The answer is simple, take the original margarita recipe and add a dash or two of organic agave nectar, shake and strain over ice to bring the drink forward 100 years. If it’s more fruit you want, have the bartender muddle (or smash) fresh strawberries or blackberries in with the ingredients, then shake and strain again over ice.
But what’s agave nectar and what happened to all the other stuff? Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that comes from the agave plant, the same plant used to make tequila. Known also for its low-glycemic index (half as much as granulated sugar) and no aftertaste commonly associated with low calorie substitutes, it can be used in smaller quantities to further reduce calories based on its sweetness being 40 percent more than granulated sugar.
So there it is… a simple fix shaves 300 to 400 calories off your favorite summer refreshment and still keep the flavor! Don’t want to go through the trouble to gather the right ingredients or admit to the world you are counting calories? Just stop by Roman Holiday where our all-fresh juice and natural mixers cocktail bar has done the work for you. We proudly feature dozens of low-calorie drinks using high quality ingredients to fit your taste!
Roman Holiday Wine Lounge is located at the Shops at the Patios (next to Macy’s), 24201 West Valencia Boulevard, Suite 3860 in Santa Clarita. For more information, please call 661-799-7221, email: chris@rhwinelounge.com and visit our website at www.rhwinelounge.com.