Reading Time: 2 minutesWelcome to our Whole Life Challenge-compliant cocktail series from professional bartender Jenna Gruttadauria. Jenna practiced mixology at some of the most well-known bars and clubs in New York City before joining the Whole Life Challenge team. Now, she enjoys using her knowledge to make healthier versions of classic cocktails.
When it’s time to host a summer party at your place, it’s easy to buy a bunch of beer and throw it in a cooler, but what do you do when you’re trying to make choices that aren’t so hard on your digestive system and waistline?
I’ve got you covered with a drink that is sure to please your guests and your body alike. Vodka is a perfect liquor to infuse with tea because it can so easily take on flavor, and in this recipe the combo makes for a delightfully boozy Arnold Palmer, the quintessential summertime drink (for grown-ups). Oh, and did I mention there’s no sugar, either?
This variation of the classic Arnold Palmer is also made in a batched fashion, so it’s super easy to throw together before your guests arrive. And, best of all, the measurements don’t have to be exact. So, whether you like it sweet, tart, bold, or boozy, you can make this cocktail your own.
Low-Calorie Spiked Arnold Palmer
The measurements don’t have to be exact. So, whether you like it sweet, tart, bold, or boozy, you can make this cocktail your own.
Ingredients
- 750 ml bottle vodka
- 6 black tea bags
- 1.5 cups lemon juice
- 1 ounce stevia
- Water
Instructions
Infusion:
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Put black tea bags into vodka and infuse.
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Taste periodically and remove bags when desired flavor has been achieved.
Simple Syrup:
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Bring 1 cup of water and stevia to a boil.
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Turn down heat and simmer for a few minutes.
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Remove from heat and let cool.
Lemonade:
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Combine lemon juice with water until desired tartness level is achieved (maximum 7 cups).
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Stir in simple syrup until desired sweetness is achieved.
Cocktail:
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Pour 2 ounces of tea infused vodka over ice.
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Fill with desired amount of lemonade (at least 4 ounces).
Note: We are not saying that alcohol is “healthy” to consume. (More on that here.) We are acknowledging that there are times we inevitably make the choice to imbibe (and we include ourselves in that “we”), and that there are better and worse ways to go about drinking alcohol when it comes to our health. Our goal is to empower you with lower-sugar, lower-calorie, still-fabulous recipes for these times.
With an unshakeable entrepreneurial spirit and unrivaled work ethic, Jenna spent years working in the restaurant industry, developing her love of food and wine. Inspired by the king of all concrete jungles, New York, Jenna started her own successful fashion business, which moved her to the sunnier skies of Los Angeles, California.
A once self-proclaimed foodie who could never give up bread or cheese, she’s now welcomes the healthy, clean living lifestyle that California and the WLC make so easy. And she loves to take the recipes of her former life and transform them into healthier versions.
