Sunshine & Long Island Iced Teas

Warm sunny afternoons make me long for the days of Long Island Iced Teas at the Cafe in State College. Even after 10 years, I can almost taste them on these gorgeous spring days. But, I have definitely learned my lesson. If I am going to have the iced tea, it will only be one! On average a long island iced tea (10 ounces) has anywhere between 600-1000 calories depending on the recipe. (Wow! Why didn’t I think of looking that up while I was working on my degree!)

Two of my other favorites are just as bad. A mudslide is going to end up being approximately 830 calories or more if served in the pretty glass with chocolate syrup. Guess that one will have to replace dinner. Even a margarita is going to be around 550 for 11 ounces. Ouch!

That doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy a cocktail or two without blowing my calorie budget. Here are a few tips to keep your calories in check while entertaining or celebrating this spring or summer. We’ll avoid the impact of real nutrition and just look at calories for now. Generally beer & wine are your best choices if you are trying to control your calories.

* Regular Beer (12 oz)....about 140 calories (could be more if you drink a darker beer)
* Light beer. (12 oz) ..anywhere from 55-110 if you include some of the ultra low carb beers
* Wine..75-105 depending on if it is dry or sweet



Then you have your spirits. The general rule of thumb is about 96 calories for the 1.5 ounce serving of any 80 proof alcohol. The serving will tell you 1 ounce, but most bartenders serve 1.5. The higher the proof the more the calories. That is just for the plain whiskey, rum, vodka, gin, etc. Be aware that many have added sugars too. You will get more calories in a spiced rum than you will in plain light rum. If it is a sweet liqueur, it will have more calories. The wedding staple peach schnapps will have 108 calories for the same 1.5 ounces. Twelve calories may not seem like a big deal. But if you have multiple drinks, the extra calories add up quickly.

That may not seem too bad, but the mixers are what will get you in trouble with a cocktail. To keep the calories lower, you can try diet soda or diet tonic. You can also use club soda. Adding club soda to white wine to make a spritzer or mixing with a flavored vodka can be a great low cal option. Light cranberry juice, light orange juice, and light lemonade are more options that can help you to keep you calories lower.

Keep in mind that if you have the urge to rim you glass in sugar, chocolate, graham cracker crumbs, etc. , that can add a ton of calories quickly too.

The main goal should be to plan ahead and pick the drinks that will fit into your goals to keep you looking your best for your summer vacation. My personal goal will be to make sure that if I do have the cocktails, I do not want to eat the extra snacks that usually come with it.

So for today-- choose wisely, enjoy the sunshine and please don’t drink & drive!