Happy Margarita Day! Celebrate with these low-cal recipes

By Brittany Anas

If you’re like us, your Facebook feed is filled with status updates about it being National Margarita Day, with dreams of weekend happy hours.

The tequila and citrus combination that originated in the 1940s has lots of twists these days — from chili peppers to fruity blends. Bar stool lore has it that the margarita was invented by Margaret “Margarita” Sames, a classy Dallas lady who happened to have a thing for tequila.

Cocktails are notorious for their high sugar levels, but we’ve got three “skinny” margarita recipes for you so you can partake in this national holiday. All are under 250 calories. Cheers!

• Frozen traditional margarita: 1 1/4 ounce silver tequila. (Patron silver or 1800 is a good choice). 3/4 ounces of an orange liquor. (We like Patron citronage, though Triple Sec is a cheaper option). 2 ounces fresh lime juice. 3 ounces of low-calorie or “light” sweet and sour. One scoop of ice. Blend for 45 seconds. Use kosher salt to salt the rim of your margarita.

If you like a strawberry margarita, toss in a few fresh strawberries. The candied strawberries are sweet — but they add extra calories and sugar.

(About 220 calories)

- Like to entertain? Check out this beveled cocktail shaker from Food Network.

• Sorbet margarita: It’s like an adult dessert. Sugar the rim of your glass. (To do so, take a lime wedge, and rub it around the rim and then stamp the rim  on a plate of sugar). Place two miniature scoops of lime sorbet in the glass. You could also try peach or orange sorbet or do a combination. Pour over a tablespoon of tequila. Serve with a dessert spoon.

(About 215 calories)

- We love these “cup and saucer” spoons from Overstock that are perfect for desserts.

• Cucumber margarita: Why not add to the nutritional profile of your margarita? Slice up a peeled cucumber into a dozen 1/2 inch slices. Combine it in the blender with 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice; 1/2 cup of Cointreau (or Triple Sec); 3/4 cups of resposado tequila and 6 cups of ice. Blend well. Pour into glasses. (Serves four). Top with a tablespoon of Grand Marnier to turn into a top-shelf margarita.

(About 240 calories).  

- Check out Wal-Mart if you’re in the market for a new blender. We like this ruby red, 10-speed blender.

Click here for grocery coupons from ShopAtHome.com.

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About Brittany Anas

Brittany Anas is a newspaper reporter, which she says is basically like going on a professional scavenger hunt every day. She became hooked on fashion in the early 1990s when her mom sewed her a pair of MC Hammer pants and matching headband. Brittany lives in Denver, Colorado and loves spending time with her southern gentleman of a boyfriend and their pot-belly pig-gremlin mix that the rescue organization described as a “Boston Terrier.” She fancies polka dots, Detroit Pistons basketball and brunch. Brittany blogs at LoisLaneLifestyle.blogspot.com and Twitters from @BrittanyAnas. Find her on Pinterest or ping her on Google+.