These Lo-Cal Cocktails Will Keep You Trim

TY KU’s under-100 calorie Hot Toddy cocktail. (Photo: TY KU)

Josh Davis, the lead bartender at L26/SL Sports Bar in the South Loop Hotel, was tinkering around at work recently when he suddenly came up with the perfect cocktail for those watching their waistlines.

His Skinny Colada is reminiscent of the “Real Housewives of New York” star Bethenny Frankel’s famed Skinnygirl Margarita with its lo-cal concept, but we have a feeling that this one’s a lot more tasty.

The recipe is simple enough to make at home. All you need is 2 oz of Coconut Ciroc vodka, .5 oz fresh pineapple juice and .5 oz skim milk. Shake vigorously so that when it pours a foamy layer is on top. Then garnish with 2 lime wedges and serve.

Josh Davis' "Skinny Colada," served at the South Loop Hotel. (Photo: Josh Davis)

Over at Fred's, the sleek Barneys' restaurant for the "ladies who lunch and brunch crowd," Clarence Mills is best known for his decadent, sparkling wine drinks like Parisian Rain—which you cannot drink when you're on a diet.

But seeing how many of his clientele are the type who keep personal trainers and chefs on the payroll, it only makes sense that he created at least one calorie-conscious cocktail.

The Pays d'Auge Snuggler sounds like it should be a sinfully rich sipper with indulgent ingredients like chrysanthemum-honey liqueur and agave nectar. But the agave actually helps to cut down on the calories, making the cocktail the ideal after-dinner drink.

The recipe:

1 oz Daron Calvados brandy (distilled from apples)
.5 oz Koval chrysanthemum-honey liqueur
4 oz "local" apple cider (steamed)
.5 oz Agave nectar
Splash of lemon juice
Drop of orange-flavored bitters
Topped with whipped cream; pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Serve hot in glass mug.

Entertaining at home this season? Instead of serving flavorless libations, these TY KU cocktails will be much appreciated by your guests:

CranApple DeLite/CranApple TYlite

1.5 oz TY KU Liqueur
1 oz apple juice
Splash of sugar-free cranberry juice
Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

TY KU Toddy

1.5 oz TY KU liqueur
.5 oz light rum
1 oz Cham. tea
.25 oz sugar-free vanilla syrup

Serve warm.