Watching what you eat (and drink)? Expert Claire Smith tells us why drinking doesn't have to be a diet deal breaker.
Counting calories has become second nature to most of us - but what to do once happy hour starts? With a simple twist from a new mixology trend called infusion, your favourite cocktails can be calorie-conscious.
Infusing cocktails allows bartenders to add interesting flavours, without adding extra sugar or calories. It is a simple process of packing fruit, vegetables, herbs or spices into vodka to steep. Once the vodka has taken on the desired flavour, the solid ingredients are filtered or strained out and the vodka can be used as you normally would. For meatier ingredients like bacon or foie gras, the flavour is infused through a process called “fat washing” which involves mixing a melted fat with vodka, chilling the mixture until the fat solidifies, then straining the mixture with muslin or cheesecloth to remove the solids. The result? No fat, but all the flavour!
For creating infusion drinks at home, I recommend using a higher proof vodka that will bring out the flavours. Here are a few of my favourite skinny girl infusion cocktails:
Click on any of the thumbnails below to see Claire's Skinny Girl Cocktail Recipes on SweetHome:
Claire Smith is considered one of the world's most respected authorities on vodka and mixology. As the Head of Spirit Creation and Mixology for Belvedere Vodka, she has been featured in the New York Times and GQ, and most recently mixed cocktails with Conan O'Brien on The Tonight Show. Claire has crafted exclusive cocktail menus for private events hosted by Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and Jamie Foxx, to name just a few.
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy: