Slim sippings

Fight holiday flab with these diet-friendly drinks

By Ellen Fox

12/09/2003

Let's face it: Drinking packs on the calories. This year, give your physique a fighting chance by laying off the eggnog, chocolate martinis and liqueurs and sip something less fattening. With the help of Erin Lucas, a registered dietitian at the University of Chicago Hospitals, we've picked our favorite "lite" libations.

El Tesoro Anejo tequila, $11
Contrary to popular belief, most spirits--from vodka to whiskey--pack the same amount of calories (about 100 per 1 1/2-ounce jigger). "It's the mixers that get you into trouble," says Lucas, particularly sugary fruit juice, like that used to make margaritas. If you need a tequila fix, order a 2-ounce pour of this 100-percent agave tequila at new upscale tequila bar Salud and sip it straight. It's as refined and palatable as a snifter of fine cognac.

Rock Green Light, 5 for $15
Aimed at folks who've clutched low-carb Michelob Ultra to their busting bellies, the new Atkins-friendly beer from Rolling Rock comes in its brewer's signature green bottle, but contains 2.6 grams of carbs and 92 calories. Drinking more than a couple defeats the purpose, but piano bar Howl at the Moon is running a special anyway: Buckets of five Green Lights are $15 on Sundays throughout December.

Finlandia Vodka Bloody Mary, $2
Tomato juice has fewer calories than other types of juice, explains Lucas, which is all the endorsement we need to indulge in our favorite brunch cocktail. A pint-sized serving with blue cheese probably isn't what the dietitian had in mind, but if SoPo's $2
special (Saturday and Sunday) is somehow better for us than a screwdriver, we say bottoms (toned or saggy) up!

Ron Zacapa Centenario rum and diet cola, $6.50 Colas and tonic are notoriously high in calories, but if you must have your Cuba Libre,
you can save 100 calories or so by using diet soda. Adobo Grill will make yours with this robust 23-year-old barrel-aged rum. With its flavors of vanilla and caramel, it'll make your low-cal cocktail taste like the real thing.

Vodka Press, $3.50 If vodka-tonics are your poison, try this light, fizzy blend of vodka, zero-calorie club soda and a splash of 7-Up. It's Big Chicks bartender Stuart Geggie's version of the classic Presbyterian (traditionally made with whiskey, soda and a splash of ginger ale). It's also great when made with Seagram's 7.

Ellen Fox is a metromix special contributor.