Let’s face it, there’s nothing sexier than a fine cocktail.

Not so sexy? The hundreds of calories that soak into your midriff with every sip.  Alas, “beery bellies” are thirsty devils, and completely without alcoholic discretion.  This is no news flash. How many of us, when faced with the caloric choice between cocktails or crab cakes have vowed to “drink our dinner”? We all know where that ends up.

Now, here’s something you can really drink to: those days are over! You can have your crab cake and your cocktail, too!

Known to most of us as the plant-based, zero calorie miracle that’s been sweetening our coffee and giving us an excuse to eat cinnamon toast again, Truvia has some very sexy tricks up its sleeve. Namely, you guessed it, cocktails.

The few times I’ve tasted Truvia, I’ve always been impressed with its pleasant taste, sugary without being overly saccharine like other non-sugar sweeteners.  Yet, no matter how many times I dissolved it blithely into my cappuccinos, it never occurred to me that cappuccinos were only the beginning of these little packets’ versatility.

It seems so easy: dissolve 14 packets of Truvia into ½ cup of water to make simple syrup (see the precise recipe on the Truvia Cocktails website)—a bar tending essential, and a key ingredient in nearly every cocktail that exists.  Easy? Yes. Revolutionary? Hell, yes!  Cocktails mixed with the Truvia simple syrup are as good as (maybe even better than) the originals.  Yet these sveltestandouts have cut out as much as half the calories of their sugar sweetened couterparts!  That’s like a 24/7 2-for-1 happy hour for your bikini body!

I’ve been experimenting at home with all sorts of wonderful concoctions (Mysteriously, I have also had a lot of friends stopping by to “see what I’ve been up to.” But, really I am more than happy to share!).  Yet, sometimes it is the simplest that makes the best impression. Case in point: the 90 calorie Margarita. Tequila, fresh lime juice, a few splashes of the Truvia simple syrup, and you are whisked away to the Riviera Maya, bikini body intact.

–  Ava

GRAPEFRUIT BASIL CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
Makes one 70 calorie, 5.5oz cocktail

  • 1 1/2 oz grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 oz Truvia Simple Syrup
  • 1 Basil Leaf
  • 2 1/2 oz Brut Champagne

Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker add all ingredients except champagne and fill halfway with ice.
2. Shake vigorously.
3. Double strain into a cocktail glass, fill with champagne and garnish with a grapefruit twist and a basil leaf.