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Friday, February 3, 2012

Be the MVP of Your Superbowl Party: Low Calorie Cocktails for High Scoring Fun

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The 2012 Superbowl : Giants and Patriots. Yes, they played each other 5 years ago, and I am sure there were lots of drink recipes bandied about then as well. But I wasn’t yet writing this blog – and besides lots has changed since then.  Only 10 players collectively are still on the two teams.  Manning is a lot more seasoned of a quarterback than he was then.  And most importantly, Stevia was not the near-household name that it is today.

And that’s an important change. Your drinks in 2007 may have been sugar-laden and not that imaginative – like the way our offense was based mostly on the long pass back then. Today, we have crisper, shorter (no, that’s not a shot at Welker) passes, and our fair share of running plays. I think you’ll be just as excited by our choices in beverages now too.

First Half

Things will start out strong – both for these two teams looking to make a quick impact, and for your drinking pleasure. After all, you’ve got a long way to go, and you will want to start it off with a drink that packs some punch, and has some lasting power, so you won’t need to refill too often and miss the commercials that potentially may be the best part of the whole 3 hours.

Plus, we need to pay some homage to our hometown team. We can accomplish all these things with a traditional-type drink, but with a new spin:

The New England Sidecar

Sidecar

1 oz. brandy

1 oz rum

1 oz. LiteHouse Mix (or ½ oz. lime juice and ½ oz. triple sec, for those less diet-inclined)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange wedge.

This cocktail is good for both guys and girls. It’s got some sweets so that the women will like it. But it also is a smooth, not froo-froo kind of drink so that the guys will enjoy it too. And if they’re already thinking you’re less than football worthy because all you care about are the commercials and gossiping with your friends during the point afters, then you should at least show that you know how to drink…

Half Time

Regardless of what team is winning, half time is fun for all. Well, except that this year, Madonna is the half time show, so maybe those same guys that were dismissing your football acumen, will be more interested in drowning her out with a keg stand than sampling one of these next drinks. But when they see that it involves champagne, and we all know that champagne makes us women giddy… well, maybe they’ll turn away from Madonna to have one of these with you too:

Eye-Black(berry) Champagne Cocktail

Blackberry

3/4 oz. blackberry simple syrup (recipe below)
1.5 oz. gin
Sparkling wine
Fresh blackberries for garnish

Put two blackberries in a champagne flute. Pour in blackberry simple syrup and gin, then carefully top off with sparkling wine.

Blackberry Simple Syrup

1 cup water
1 cup stevia
1 basket of blackberries

Bring all ingredients to a boil. Strain into a container, pressing the blackberries to push juice through the strainer.

Second Half

This is when things get anxious. Either we’re winning, and we know we have to do everything right to hang on to the lead. Or we’re battling back and every play could be the next big moment. Whatever the case, there’s not a lot of time to mix up a drink. Even if you’re not glued to the TV like the rest of them, getting up and down to make your drink will be an interruption to the serious, armchair quarterbacks you surrounded yourself with today.

That’s where this drink comes in. It’s easy, can be made ahead, and can be sipped either slowly, or with a vengeance, depending on what your shaky nervous hands are able to do. It has a nice kick to it, and is aptly named – though not if we’re referring to Billy Cundiff (hopefully he’s been having lots of these over the past week and a half)

Cranberry Almond Kicker

Cranberry_punch

2 cups light cranberry juice
1 cup vodka
1/2 cup a
maretto
3 tablespoons low carb orange juice
Ice cubes

Mix ahead; cover and chill until ready to serve. Can be prepared 1 day ahead.

These three cocktails will take you happily through the Superbowl this weekend.  And if you’re looking for a game-cap at the end of the night – then you haven’t done these drinks justice. My advice would be mix, drink, repeat. And call in sick on Monday. You won’t be the only one…

Go Pats!!

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