The skinny girl cosmo is a lower calorie version of the classic cosmo cocktail that uses sugar-free ingredients to cut back on calories and carbs. Cosmopolitans are a popular cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice. While delicious, the original version can be high in sugar from the cranberry juice and triple sec. The skinny girl cosmo provides the same tangy, sweet and tart flavor with fewer calories and carbs.
What is in a skinny girl cosmo?
A skinny girl cosmo contains the following ingredients:
- Vodka – 1 1/2 oz
- Sugar-free triple sec – 1 oz
- Sugar-free cranberry juice – 1 oz
- Fresh lime juice – 1 oz
- Lime wedge for garnish
The key is using sugar-free versions of the triple sec and cranberry juice. This removes much of the sugar and carbs while maintaining the classic cosmo flavor. The lime juice and vodka remain unchanged.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make the perfect skinny girl cosmo:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
- Add 1 1/2 oz vodka
- Add 1 oz sugar-free triple sec
- Add 1 oz sugar-free cranberry juice
- Squeeze 1 oz of fresh lime juice (about 1 lime’s worth)
- Secure lid on cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds
- Strain cocktail into a chilled martini glass
- Garnish with a lime wedge
The ingredients are combined in a cocktail shaker with ice and shaken vigorously to chill and blend the flavors. It’s then strained into a chilled martini glass. No blender required!
Buying the Right Ingredients
You can find all the ingredients for a skinny girl cosmo at your local liquor store or supermarket:
- Vodka – Any quality unflavored vodka will work well. Some good options are Ketel One, Belvedere, or Grey Goose.
- Triple sec – Look for a sugar-free orange liqueur triple sec. Brands like Skinny Girl or Sweet ‘N Low make a diet-friendly triple sec.
- Cranberry juice – Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry Juice or another sugar-free brand works best.
- Limes – Select fresh, ripe limes with bright green skin. Key limes or conventional limes both work.
You’ll also need a cocktail shaker, strainer, and martini glasses or coupe glasses. Make sure to chill the martini glasses beforehand so the drink stays ice cold.
Calories and Nutrition
The skinny girl cosmo clocks in around 100 calories per serving. This is compared to 200-300 calories for a traditional cosmo made with sugary cranberry juice and triple sec.
Here’s a nutrition breakdown for one skinny girl cosmo:
| Calories | 100 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbs | 2 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
As you can see, using the sugar-free mixer options removes almost all of the carbohydrates and sugar, making this a guilt-free cocktail option. There are no nutrients, but the vodka provides 100 calories per 1 1/2 ounce serving.
Low-Calorie Mixing Options
One of the best things about the skinny girl cosmo is how customizable it is. You can use various low-calorie mixers and zero-calorie sweeteners to reduce the calories even further.
Here are some skinny options to try:
- Triple sec – Other sugar-free brands like skinny mixers or sweet leaf stevia triple sec
- Cranberry juice – Diet cran-raspberry, cran-grape, or cran-pomegranate juice
- Sweetener – Splenda, stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit
- Vodka – Flavored vodkas like citron, lemon, or cucumber
Mix and match your favorite skinny ingredients to create customized flavor profiles. The cosmo template serves as a great base cocktail for experimenting with different low-cal mixes.
Serving Suggestions
The skinny cosmo is a versatile cocktail that works in many different serving scenarios:
- Girls’ night out – Enjoy a round of skinny cosmos during a fun night on the town
- Bachelorette parties – Sip on skinny girl cosmos while celebrating the bride-to-be
- Cocktail parties – Skinny cosmos make great low-calorie cocktails for gatherings and events
- Watching your weight – Treat yourself to this guilt-free indulgence while maintaining your diet
- Diabetic-friendly – With very little sugar, the skinny cosmo is safe for diabetics to occasionally enjoy
The skinny cosmo is the perfect pick when you want a flavorful, fancy cocktail without excess calories or carbohydrates. It provides a lighter take on the classic while still tasting delicious.
Flavored Skinny Cosmo Ideas
One fun way to give your skinny cosmo an extra flavor punch is by using flavored vodkas or unique mixer combinations. Try one of these tasty twists:
- Citrus – lemon vodka and lime juice for a refreshing citrus cosmo
- Berry – raspberry vodka with cran-raspberry juice
- Apple – apple vodka with sugar-free apple juice or cider
- Grape – grape vodka with cran-grape juice
- Pomegranate – pomegranate vodka and juice for a tart flavor
- Peach – peach vodka and peach nectar for a sweet twist
You can also rim the glass with flavors like raspberry, watermelon, or mango powder for even more fruit infusion. Let your creativity run wild!
Making Pitcher Cocktails
For parties, you can easily double, triple, or quadruple this recipe to make pitchers full of skinny girl cosmos. Here’s a guideline:
| Servings | Vodka | Triple Sec | Cranberry Juice | Lime Juice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 1/2 oz | 1 oz | 1 oz | 1 oz |
| 6 | 9 oz (375mL) | 6 oz (175mL) | 6 oz (175mL) | 6 oz (175mL) |
| 10 | 15 oz (750mL bottle) | 10 oz (300mL) | 10 oz (300mL) | 10 oz (300mL) |
Pour all the ingredients into a large pitcher or punch bowl. Mix well before ladling into glasses filled with fresh ice. Garnish each skinny cosmo with a lime wedge.
Mocktail Variation
To make a non-alcoholic skinny cosmo mocktail, simply omit the vodka. Double the amounts of cranberry juice and triple sec to make up for the missing alcohol. For an extra splash of flavor, you can also add a splash of seltzer water.
The mocktail recipe looks like this:
- 2 oz sugar-free triple sec
- 2 oz sugar-free cranberry juice
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Splash of seltzer (optional)
- Lime wedge for garnish
Mix, shake, and strain just like the original. Enjoy this non-alcoholic skinny cosmo alternative without the vodka.
Storing Leftover Skinny Cosmos
You can store leftover skinny cosmos in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Transfer the cocktail to an airtight container and store in the fridge. Give it a good stir or shake when ready to drink again.
The flavors may dilute slightly, so you can add a splash of cranberry juice or triple sec to freshen it up. Stored properly, leftovers can last 24-48 hours.
For best quality, it’s recommended to make skinny cosmos to order instead of storing them. But chilled leftovers make a fine cocktail in a pinch!
Conclusion
The skinny girl cosmo is a figure-friendly twist on a classic cocktail. By using sugar-free mixers, you can enjoy the same delicious flavor with a fraction of the calories and carbs. Mix up this easy recipe using vodka, sugar-free triple sec, diet cranberry juice, and fresh lime. Customize your own skinny cosmo with different flavors and low-calorie ingredients based on your tastes. Sip on this signature skinny cocktail at your next girls’ night or cocktail party. With its versatility and light profile, the skinny cosmo is sure to become a fast favorite!