Lean Libation: Giada's Aloha L.A. Cocktail

Happy Saturday!!

The weekend means it is time to relax and kickback. It is time to reward ourselves for the hard week of work we just put it. It is time for a cocktail! This Aloha L.A. Cocktail from Giada De Laurentiis has "summertime" , "fun" and "relaxation" written all over it! Packed with fresh fruit and topped off with some diet ginger ale, this cocktail qualifies as a finalist for the "Lean Libation Hall of Fame!" So, get the blender out. It is time to set this cocktail makin' session in motion.

ALOHA L.A. COCKTAIL

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ripe pineapple; peeled, cored & cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons honey (or agave nectar)
• 1 cup light rum
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (2-3 limes)
• 2 cups ice
• 1 (1 liter) bottle diet ginger ale

DIRECTIONS:

Garnish: 2 limes, cut into wedges

In a blender, combine the pineapple, rum, honey (or agave nectar), and lime juice. Blend until the pineapple is almost pureed. Pour the pineapple mixture into a large pitcher. Add the ice and stir. Slowly pour in the diet ginger ale.


Pour the cocktail into glasses and garnish with lime wedges.


RESULTS:


While writing this post and looking outside at the beautiful day we are having, these just might be the drink of choice this evening. They are light and fruity, yet no overly sweet. Cutting down the amount of rum saved us some calories. I know what you are thinking. Boooo! I took the fun out of it. But really, a serving of liquor is about 1 fl. oz. So we really only need about a cup for 8 people. I also subbed diet ginger ale for the real thing. In the end, we were able to save around 60 calories per cocktail!!

NUTRITION FACTS (per serving):

BEFORE: 183.75  calories;  .08g fat;  27.29g carbohydrate;  .36g protein;  .88g fiber

AFTER: 124.38 calories;  .08g fat;  12.58g carbohydrate;  .38g protein;  .88g fiber

SAVES: 59.37 calories & 14.71 carbohydrates

Those are some pretty sweet savings! Now you know that you can always leave out the rum for a non-alcoholic summer cocktail, right? That will save tons of calories too. It just all depends what you want this cocktail to do for you!

Oh, one little tip on making this drink; buy the containers of already peeled and cut pineapple in the produce section. It saves a little time and it is all the same.

Cheers!

*PRINT~FRIENDLY*