One of the key components to any Mardi Gras celebration is a great cocktail. Whether you’re celebrating in the Big Easy or not, you can keep the beverages flowing like wine – and you don’t even have to spend a day’s calories to do so.
In order to slim down your cocktails, avoid using bottled or powdered mixes, which tend to pack artificial ingredients, excess sugar and calories. Also, use fruit as a garnish whenever possible to sneak a few nutrients into your cocktail.
Mint Julep
An iconic Southern beverage, the mint julep is a classic cocktail made with bourbon, simple syrup and mint for a refreshing respite during Fat Tuesday festivities.
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 3 oz. bourbon
- 2 oz. simple syrup
- 3-4 fresh mint sprigs
- crushed ice
Instructions:
Fill a glass with crushed ice. Pour in bourbon, syrup and mint, stir gently and serve.
Skinny Margarita
Take a break from the winter weather and let a Skinny Margarita transport you to the sunny Southern coast. While winter weather in New Orleans can be unpredictable, some Carnival celebrations have fallen during heat waves, leaving margaritas as the perfect option for parade-watching refreshment.
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Casa Noble Crystal
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (or the juice of 1 whole lime)
- 3/4 oz La Sierra agave nectar (or other organic agave nectar)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake, strain and serve up or on the rocks. Garnish with a lime wheel.
French 75
If you can’t make it to the French quarter, sipping a bubbly concoction is sure to make all of your friends the life of the party. Champagne is sure to please anyone…no matter where your party is happening.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 5 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 5 oz Simple syrup (one part water, one part granulated sugar)
- 1 oz Gin or cognac
- 3 oz Champagne
Instructions:
Add the lemon juice, simple syrup and the gin or cognac to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake well and strain into a Champagne flute. Top with the Champagne and garnish with lemon zest.