New Year, New You? 3 Healthy Gin Cocktail Recipes

Now that 2019 has begun, many of us will be desperate to lose some weight or embrace a healthy New Year’s resolution or two. While some people achieve this with a diet or extensive exercise regime, making a small health-conscious lifestyle change is a fantastic place to start! If you’re partial to a gin-based cocktail but are concerned that the unhealthy ingredients will hamper your weight loss efforts or sabotage your diet, you’ll be happy to hear that there are several healthy gin cocktail recipes available that give you the best of both worlds. In this post, we list a few gin cocktail recipes that allow you to enjoy a delicious drink without having to worry about ruining your bid to ditch the sugar or consuming too many calories.

The Skinny Gin and Tonic

Although most would assume that a G&T is one of the lighter and more healthy cocktails around, the unfortunate reality is that it’s all too easy for some unwanted calories to sneak in if the wrong ingredients are added. This is in addition to the fact that tonic water contains a fairly high amount of fructose corn syrup, which is a common sweetener used in a vast range of food and drink. Surely you can’t replace the tonic in a gin and tonic? Blasphemy! But when you consider that there are at least 90 calories in a single serving of tonic water alone, one might argue that there’s a good reason to seek a healthier option. Lose the tonic and replace it with some bubbly soda water, which happens to be zero calories, and you’ve got a much healthier recipe without sacrificing on taste — it’s a win-win! Ingredients:
  • 55 ml Gin
  • 140 ml soda water
  • One lime wedge for garnish
Method:
  1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes
  2. Pour the gin and soda water into the glass and stir
  3. Garnish with the lime wedge.

The Tomato Basil Martini

A Bloody Mary is often the cocktail of choice for anyone looking for a healthy alternative to a sugar-filled mimosa. But what if you’re in need of an after-hours beverage that provides plenty of health benefits but offers more in the way of flavours? Say hello to the Tomato Basil Martini, the smoky, slightly spicier cousin of the Bloody Mary. Many consider it to be lighter and more refreshing, and we’d be inclined to agree. The Tomato Basil Martini is a well-crafted yet straightforward gin cocktail recipe. It’s no fuss, no hassle and there are no celery sticks required! Ingredients:
  • 55 ml cherry tomato water
  • 55 ml Gin
  • 30 ml Lillet Blanc
  • A dash of lime juice
  • A dash of agave nectar
  • A few dashes of habanero sauce
  • Two basil leaves
  • Himalayan salt
Method:
  1. Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice
  2. Shake and double-strain into a martini glass (rimmed with Himalayan salt)
  3. Garnish with basil leaves.

The Wild Rocket Cocktail

Green drinks and smoothies are one health trend that has not only stood the test of time but has also proved to be genuinely beneficial for those seeking a healthier lifestyle. If you’re planning to introduce more greens into your diet in 2019, why not extend the same thinking to your cocktail choices? While many cocktails look to greens such as mint and kale for their flavour and goodness, wild rocket is a worthy ingredient to keep in mind. The leaves have a slight hint of spice, which complements and enhances the characteristics of any spirit, making it the perfect addition to a gin cocktail recipe. The Wild Rocket has the zest and spice of rocket leaves as well as the refreshing taste of fruit juice and natural sweeteners. Ingredients:
  • 40 ml gin
  • 20 lime juice
  • Six drops of liquid stevia
  • One handful of wild rocket
Method:
  1. Muddle” the lime juice and wild rocket
  2. Add the stevia and your choice of gin
  3. Shake thoroughly and strain into a tumbler glass with ice.