Drinking Tips + My Favorite Healthy-ish Cocktails!

Can you drink and still be “healthy?”

I get asked this ALLLL the time. Short answer: yes. While this isn’t the case for everyone, I personally have found the balance to be able to drink and live a happy and healthy lifestyle. Here are some of my best tips for staying healthy while drinking.

Please note that this is what personally works for me as a healthy adult. You should talk to your doctor if you have any health concerns.

1. Choose your battles. I don’t drink at every event, dinner or after every stressful day I have. Otherwise I would be what is known as an alcoholic. Choose when you want to have some drinks, otherwise stick to sparkling water or a mocktail. It’s tough, but this makes all the difference!
2. Lay off until the weekend. I usually only drink Friday and Saturday (with the occasional weekday wine night). It’s rare that I drink more than 2 days a week! I also try to take a weekend off once a month. I know this is hard in times like these so go easy on yourself!
3. Lock in your drink order. If I’m having more than one drink, I either drink red wine or more often a tequila soda with lime and an orange slice. I always upgrade my tequila for a higher quality (saves you from a hangover). Stay away from sugar!!! Soda water > tonic water (tonic has tons of sugar). I will say that I love a good fancy, sugary cocktail but if I have one, I usually limit myself to just one then switch to something healthier.
4. Hydrate! Always make sure you’re drinking tons of water before you go out and before bed. Liquid IV and Nuun are great for an added boost of hydration.
5. Load up on breakfast foods! I like to make sure I’ve got the supplies to make myself a nice big breakfast the next day. This way I’m not inclined to order a breakfast burrito…
6. Get moving! Wake up and move your body. Even if it’s just a 10 minute walk outside, I promise it will help energize you after one too many drinks. My Favorite Cocktail Recipes
   These are my favorite tips that have helped me stay healthy throughout the years while still enjoying a few glasses of wine and even tequila shots. Don’t forget, its all about balance!!

My Favorite Cocktail Recipes

1. Classic Margarita

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Triple Sec
• Juice from 2 small limes
• Splash of water (0.5 oz)
• Ice
• Salt or Tajin for the rim

Shake all ingredients together with ice. Pour over ice to serve. Makes 1 margarita.

*Add 2 oz coconut milk for a creamy coconut margarita!

2. Aperol Spritz (My Fav!)

• 3 oz chilled Prosecco
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz sparkling water
• Orange slice to garnish
• Ice

Pour all ingredients in a wine glass over ice. Stir to combine. Makes 1 spritz.

3. Skinny Spicy Margarita

• 2 oz tequila
• Juice from 2 small limes
• Juice from 1 orange
• 3 oz soda water
• 2 Jalapeno slices
• Ice

Shake all ingredients together with ice. Pour over ice to serve. Makes 1 cocktail.

*If you want it a bit sweeter, add 1 tsp honey to 1 oz hot water then add to your cocktail.

4. Cinnamon Sugar Whiskey Sour

• 2 oz Bourbon
• Juice from 1/2 lemon
• 1 oz Maple syrup
• Dash of cinnamon
• Ice

Shake all ingredients together in a shaker with ice. Pour over ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Makes 1 cocktail.

5. Blackberry Moscow Mule

• 2 oz Vodka
• 4 oz Ginger Beer
• Juice from 1 lime
• 4-5 muddled Blackberries
• Fresh mint (optional)
• Ice

Combine all ingredients together in a shaker with ice. Pour over ice and garnish with a lime wedge. Makes 1 cocktail.

6. The Buzzer

• 4-6 oz Flavored Hard Seltzer (Ashland if you have access to it!)
• 2 oz Liquor of choice
• Ice

Combine all ingredients together in a shaker with ice. Pour over ice and enjoy! This is my go to after a long week. Makes 1 cocktail.

7. Lychee Martini

• 6 oz Vodka
• 4 oz Lychee juice (plus one to garnish)
• Splash of vermouth (you can skip if you don’t have it!)
• Ice

Combine all ingredients together in a shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass and enjoy! Makes 1 martini.

8. Hot Toddy

• 2 oz Bourbon
• 6 oz Hot Water
• Juice from 1/2 lemon
• 2 tsp Honey
• Dash of Cinnamon
• Splash of Apple Cider Vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a mug. Garnish with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick. Makes 1 drink.

9. Skinny Strawberry Mint Mojito

• 2 oz Vodka, Tequila or Rum
• 6 oz Sparkling Water
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 muddled Strawberries
• 3-4 muddled Mint Leaves
• Ice

Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint and a lime wedge. Makes 1 cocktail.

10. When in Doubt…

• 2 oz Liquor of choice
• 4-6 oz soda water
• Muddled fruit of choice (optional)
• Juice from 1 lime

Combine all ingredients and garnish with a lime wedge. This one never fails! Makes 1 cocktail.

Link to my Cocktail Shaker here!

Link to my favorite Cocktail Glasses here!

Stay safe + drink responsibly! xx