Fun In The Sun Done Light

The sun is shining.
The kids are in the pool splashing.
And I am sipping... and sipping... and sipping...

I must say, there is nothing better than summer foods. Fresh fruit, crisp salads, grilled chicken and veggies. Making the smart choices seems so much easier in the sunshine! But as I lounge pool side and reach for Mommy's "sippy cup", the smart choices aren't so obvious. Sure there are some low calorie beers out there, who doesn't love a cold Miller Lite now and then? But I need something more. Something fun. Something that screams "I am summer and I am FABULOUS!" So, I have been on a mission to uncover other options. Surely I could find some delicious, summer inspired drinks that were both full of flavor and easy on the calories. After a little digging, here's what I've found.

The Skinny Mini

This one is courtesy of thedrinkoftheweek.com

1 cup vodka

1.5 cups of Crystal Light, Orange Sunrise flavor

.5 cup fresh raspberries

.5 cup fresh oranges

ice, crushed

Blend together vodka, Crystal Light, fruit and ice. Pour into a tall glass. Add fruit to garnish. Makes 6-8 cocktails... roughly 150 calories each.

First of all, let me say the presentation on this is simply FANTASTIC. This is a great drink for a spring time girls brunch with matching Daisy centerpieces. And as the temperatures rise in the summer months, the crushed ice and fresh fruit will be a most welcome and refreshing way to keep cool by the pool.

Light Lemonade Mimosa

Nothing says summer like lemonade. So I had high hopes for a summer time twist on this classic. I actually served Lemonade Mimosas for our Mother-Daughter pool party last summer and they were a huge hit! The lemonade is lighter, smoother and more refreshing than a traditional OJ mimosa. And when I discovered Minute Maid Light Lemonade has only 5 calories per 8 ounce bottle, I thought I'd hit the jackpot! By adding 4 ounces of Brut champagne, you have 12 full ounces of delightful, lemon-y goodness for only 95 calories! Now, I will add a disclaimer that the light lemonade does have a distinct "diet" taste, so it wasn't quite the perfect find I was hoping it would be. However, if you already enjoy Minute Maid Lite, this could be your libation de jour all summer long!!!

Bethany Gets It Right - The Skinny Girl Margarita

It's so good to know that others have not only headed out on the same quest, they have forged ahead and they made it happen. Skinnygirl has been a huge success for Bethany Frankel. So much so, she was able to sell the brand for an undisclosed, but no doubt lucrative, amount. I haven't tried Skinny girl, but I've heard from reliable sources it lives up to expectations. And with Cinco De Mayo around the corner, this is a MUST DRINK!

Over all, I am pleased with these new options, but I'm always open for suggestions. If you have any finds of your own, please share the delicious wealth!!! Feel free to add your recipes to the comments below.

Until next time... happy sipping!