Once upon a time I had a college roommate who believed she could will herself skinny, simply by the power of positive thinking.
Ah, dare to dream!
She insisted she never gained weight from the horrible college food we all ate, simply because she told herself she wouldn’t. I mean, she was thin, and never worked out a single day during the semester we lived together, but I think her trim figure had more to do with her 20 year old metabolism than anything else.
I mean, in the real world, calories count. The 57th tortilla chip you eat at the Mexican restaurant counts. The cheese oozing out of your enchiladas counts. The margarita as big as your head definitely counts!
I got to thinking about my former college roomie because Cinco de Mayo is coming up this weekend and, never one to turn down a reason to celebrate, I know I’ll be devouring some yummy, Mexican-inspired eats. The only problem is, I go tooootally overboard when I eat Mexican food. (See 57th tortilla chip, cheese enchiladas, and bowling ball-sized margarita above!)
Knowing that some of you are in the same boat, I thought I’d share a fun and festive Skinny Sunrise cocktail for the occasion, which only has 145 calories!
Fresh squeezed orange juice, 100% pineapple juice, homemade strawberry simple syrup, and rum (or tequila, or vodka!) are shaken with ice, then poured into a glass and topped with fizzy club soda.
I can’t even begin to describe how sweet & refreshing this cocktail is – and it’s only 145 calories!
Start by making the Strawberry Simple Syrup. This could not be easier and takes like, 4 minutes.
Simply combine 1/2 cup each water and sugar into a small saucepan with 3 large strawberries.
Bring the mixture to a boil, smashing the strawberries while it heats up.
Let the syrup boil continuously for 30 seconds, then remove it from the heat and let it cool.
Pour the syrup into a food processor or blender…
Then let ‘er rip!
Strain out the seeds, then pour into a jar or container with a tight fitting lid.
You know I used a mason jar. ;) Stash in the fridge to cool completely.
When you’re ready to par-tay, grab the rest of your ingredients, including rum (again, vodka or tequila would be great in here, I only had rum on hand) club soda, 100% pineapple juice, and an orange, half of which you’ll need to juice.
Shake the strawberry syrup, pineapple juice, orange juice, and rum with ice, then pour into a glass and top with club soda. I am telling you – grab your shades because you will feel like you are on the beaches of Cancun when you sip these babies!
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Skinny Sunrise Cocktail
Description
Skinny Sunrise Cocktail is a refreshing, sweet, and simple cocktail that clocks in at just 145 calories!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons (1oz) rum (could use any other type of liquor)
- 1 Tablespoon (.5oz) strawberry simple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons (1.5oz) orange juice (about 1/2 navel orange)
- 3 Tablespoons (1.5oz) pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup (2oz) club soda
- ice
- For the strawberry simple syrup (makes ~1 cup syrup):
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 large strawberries
Directions
- For the strawberry simple syrup: Combine sugar, water, and strawberries into a small saucepan over high heat. Mash strawberries as the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 30 seconds, then turn off the heat and allow syrup to cool completely. Transfer syrup to a food processor or blender, process until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the strawberry seeds (optional.) Chill in the fridge.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add rum, strawberry simple syrup, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Shake until very cold. Pour into a glass, including the ice, then top with club soda.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
You are wicked awesome!! So awesome! Great recipes!
If you made a cookbook I’d buy a copy for myself and everybody I know!! I want to make all of the recipes you posted!!
Yum this drink looks heavenly! I like that you made your own simple syrup too :) I want to try this on Saturday!!
Oh glorious Mexican food! You’re speaking my language girl.
I saw your Soda Stream bottle!! :) Love my SodaStream machine! Thanks for your reminder to “take it easy” on all the good food this weekend!
Ok, all of these recipes sound so good! Um, one of each, please?! Definitely going to try the sunrise cocktail out. Thanks, thanks!! :)
Getting skinny on a food holiday? Oh the power of positive thinking :)
I don’t like pineapple juice, any suggestions on alternatives??
Shrinko de mayo! I love it. All of these recipes look fantastic. I love the salscamole idea! And I think I have one of those cocktails with my name on it, waiting to celebrate after finals are over next week.
I need that cocktail asap!
This is a great collection of your recipes, going to keep coming back to these even when it’s not Cinco de Mayo as we love Mexican food, but not all the calories :) Can’t wait to make the virgin version of your Sunrise Cocktail too, and the original once baby #2 is born!
So that story reminds me of the time I was studying abroad in Spain and one of the students in our program had her friend visit us. We were all at the dinner table when this girl wouldn’t eat and got into explaining that her and her mom were on the “sun diet” meaning that they got all the energy they needed from the sun, like a plant would. I’ll spare you the rest of the ridiculous conversation that ensued but seriously, the friggin SUN DIET?! Sorry, but last time I checked humans don’t have chlorophyll!
Oh, yum. That drink sounds and looks delicious. I’ll have to make it for my boyfriend and I to drink by the pool. :)
That drink looks delish! I don’t drink alcohol but I think all of the components minus the booze would be a great non-alcohol alternative – something I’m always on the lookout for!
You have my mouth watering! I am such a sucker for Mexican. Definitely trying some of these recipes!
Shrinko de Mayo. You are too clever! I don’t comment enough but just wanted to let you know I found your blog back when you started it and I was a new wife learning to cook. I’ve been hooked ever since. Ive read every one of your blogs. Even when I go on vaca and come back my husband knows I need to catch up on my IGE. As weird as it may sound I feel like I can relate to you, I love your recipes, workouts, humor in your posts and i can tell you have a special relationship with Ben. You are a talented writer and photog. I always read and never shared and just wanted to let you know :) Thanks!
Now, I think this calls for a skinny sunrise!
I love those little cans of pineapple juice.
shrinko-de-mayo, love it! I’m impressed by people who CAN control themselves around Mexican food. And that cocktail…looks amazing.
Me too – one chip and I can’t stop!
Holy moly that looks delicious! I’ll have to add that to our menu for Saturday!
so excited to use some of these! we’re celebrating in atlantic city this weekend, and i’m DYING for some festive, but healthy, eats :D thanks!