Consumer Health Features

Summer drinks minus heavy calories, SKYY, Cascade Ice and X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

By April MacIntyre Jul 9, 2012, 20:37 GMT

It\'s time for pool parties and outdoor evening get-togethers – which wouldn\'t be complete without some fun cocktails. We\'ve got some recipe ideas that will keep you refreshed and satisfied without sacrificing your waistline!

It's time for pool parties and outdoor evening get-togethers – which wouldn't be complete without some fun cocktails. We've got some recipe ideas that will keep you refreshed and satisfied without sacrificing your waistline!

The heat and summertime haze have people looking for new ideas for eating lighter, and drinking less weighty spirits and beverages overall to keep in shape and still have fun in the sun.

There are new lighter vodka based spirits that won't hurt your bikini body that can be mixed into piña coladas and daiquiris. two exceptional tasting newcomers include X-Rated Fusion Liqueur and SKYY Infusions Coconut.

All less than 200 calories, these libations are a perfect addition to a poolside party or afterhours picnic with friends. You’ll get all the taste of those heavy drinks without breaking your swimsuit season diet.

Celebrities who are devotees include LaLa Anthony, Gabrielle Union and Ciara, who can’t get enough of X-Rated Fusion Liqueur while Alexander Skarsgard, Nikki Reed and Penn Badgley have been seen all summer sipping on SKYY Infusions Coconut.

X-Rated Fusion is imported from France. This pink liqueur has a premium vodka base that is infused with Provence blood orange, mango and passion fruit flavors. The unique flavor blend adds an interesting twist to many occasion-specific cocktails.

Expanding its award-winning line of infused vodkas made with natural ingredients, SKYY Infusions Coconut is heaven on earth. SKYY Infusions Coconut joins the brand’s existing line of premium flavors, which includes Dragon Fruit, Blood Orange, Pineapple, Ginger, Cherry, Grape, Citrus, Raspberry and Passion Fruit.
 
Evoking the exotic taste of the tropics, SKYY Infusions Coconut is made with real coconuts to create a light, refreshing flavor, complemented by the aroma of citrus and Tahitian vanilla bean.

SKYY Infusions Coconut has already been ranked the “best tasting coconut vodka” by the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI).  
 
With a refreshing, light taste, SKYY Infusions Coconut was tested in the M&C kitchens and mixed with real coconut water from a Thai young coconut, plus the coconut meat scooped out of the same coconut, and just a splash of simple syrup, ice cubes and blended up for a super light Colada Coconut Freeze.

This can be served in the coconut shell too- and makes a refreshing low sugar, low calorie mixed drink by the poolside.

It is the perfect base for sexy and “skinny” cocktails for those looking for a tropical urban escape. Unlike heavy, calorie-laden tropical drinks, SKYY Infusions Coconut creates beach-friendly cocktails. SKYY Infusions Coconut cocktails, such as the SKYY Skinny Colada, are less than one-third the amount of calories of traditional tropical drinks.

SKYY Skinny Colada

2 oz. SKYY Infusions Coconut
¼ oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple
2 oz. Club soda
Splash of pineapple juice
Squeeze of lemon

Mix over ice in a highball glass.

The X-Rated Brazilian

1 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 oz. Sagatiba Pura Cachaca
2 oz. Guava juice or nectar
Juice of half of a lime
Cherry apple wheel slice for garnish
 
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with cherry apple wheel

The Garden Fresh Skinny Summerita

1 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 oz. Cabo Wabo Blanco
Juice of half a lime
3 sprigs fresh cilantro
3 thin slices of fresh cucumber
3 thin slices of a fresh jalapeño pepper
Cucumber wheel for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker (except cucumber wheel) filled with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with cucumber wheel.

The Skinny Bikini

1 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 ½ oz. SKYY Infusions Coconut
1 oz. Diet lemon-lime soda
3 oz. Light cranberry juice
Shredded coconut

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine X-Rated, rum, and cranberry juice and shake vigorously. Strain into an ice cube filled glass and top with shredded coconut for garnish.

Margarita Bliss (serves 4)

2 cups X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
½ cup sparkling water
1 cup zero calorie sweetener
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup blackberries, pulsed in blender
6 slices of fresh ginger
½  cup Cabo Wabo Blanco
1 cup ice

Place all ingredients (except tequila and ice) in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir to make sure all the sugar is dissolved and remove from heat to allow to cool. Once cooled down remove ginger slices and place in blender with tequila and ice. Pour into chilled and rimmed margarita glasses. Garnish each with a picker of lemon and ginger slices.

Another great option to slim down and still party hearty is to use Cascade Ice's skinny cocktail mixers and zero-calorie waters.

Did you know that one regular Margarita is over 600 calories per serving?  Using Cascade Ice's skinny cocktail mixers and zero-calorie waters, you can knock that down to just around 55 calories.

Here are a few festive drink recipes we recommend for the summer season.

Margarita
Start with two parts Cascade Ice Skinny Margarita Mixer. Add one part tequila with the juice of two lime wedges. Stir and pour into a margarita glass over ice. Garnish with salt and a lime wedge!

Coconut Spritzer
Take two parts Cascade Ice Zero-Calorie Coconut Sparkling Water. Add in one part rum and one part pineapple juice. Stir well and serve over ice in a cold glass.
 
Wild Berry Bomb
For this fun concoction, start with two parts Cascade Ice Zero-Calorie Wild Berry Sparkling Water. Add a splash of your favorite vodka and a handful of blueberries and strawberries. Muddle the fruit just a bit to release the flavor and serve over ice.

And for the kids…

Strawberry Pineapple Popsicles
To make a batch, pour Cascade Ice Zero-Calorie Strawberry Lemonade and chopped strawberries into a popsicle tray. Be sure to only fill halfway, so you have room to fill the rest with fresh pineapple juice and a few pieces of pineapple. Freeze popsicles overnight and they’ll be ready to enjoy the next day!

Cascade Ice beverages are available for purchase online http://www.cascadeicewater.com/  and in stores nationwide.