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5 Fabulous Recipes to Celebrate Beverages From Around the World
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5 Fabulous Recipes to Celebrate Beverages From Around the World
Robyn Flipse, MS. MA, RDN
Consultant to the Calorie Control Council
Consultant to the Calorie Control Council
There
are countless concoctions from around the world that play a starring
role in the celebrations of other cultures, just like lemonade does in
the USA on Independence Day. If you want to omit the alcohol from a
classic cocktail, you can still capture the flavor created by the
distinctive combinations of mixers, fruits and spices without it.. And
if you want to avoid excess calories and carbohydrates, you can replace
the sugar and sweet syrups with no-calorie alternatives.
Let the
fun begin by planning a tasting party to prepare and sample some drinks
from other countries. Here are 5 recipes to get you started.
American Lime Rickey
is traditionally made with the freshly squeezed juice of one lime, 2
teaspoons of sugar, 8 ounces of seltzer water and 2 ounces of gin served
over ice in a tall glass with a lime wedge garnish. The gin can easily
be omitted for an alcohol-free version, and a sugar-free version can be
made using one packet of a no-calorie sweetener, like Equal, in place of
the sugar or using a diet citrus-flavored soda in place of the seltzer
and sugar.
Indian Lassi is a yogurt-based drink
often served sweet and chilled in hot weather or as a savory beverage
after meals to aid digestion. The basic ingredients are yogurt, milk or
water, sugar or salt, and spices, with the addition of fruit in some
regions. Mango Lassi has become an international favorite, with just a
hint of cardamom, made here with sugar or a no-calorie substitute.
West Africa Ginger Root Drink can
be enjoyed cold or hot, but either way, it provides the healing powers
of ginger along with the heady refreshment of this spicy root. The
addition of peppercorns in this version
gives it an extra kick without any alcohol! Replacing the sugar with a
no-calorie sweetener works just as well in maintaining the balance
between the peppery and sweet tastes in this restorative drink.
Moroccan Mint Tea
is served throughout the day to invited guests and drop-in visitors
alike as a sign of hospitality in Moroccan homes. It is typically drunk
from small glass cups presented and poured in a ceremonial fashion no
matter what the occasion, and is always served hot. The brew includes fresh spearmint, green tea, sugar and water and can be made just as sweet with a no-calorie substitute for the sugar.
Spanish Sangria is
basically a red wine punch and like any punch, the flavor combinations
are endless. The key ingredients are wine, brandy, fruit, sweetener and
sparkling water, and the fruit can include any type from citrus to
berries to peaches, pears and pineapple. To make your own sangria just
mix one cup of chopped fruit with 4 ounces of brandy, 750mL bottle of
red wine and 3 ounces of simple syrup (or equivalent sugar-free syrup)
in a pitcher, and then chill to develop the flavors. When ready to
serve, pour it over ice in a stemmed glass – being sure you get some of
the fruit in each glass – and top off with club soda. If you’d like to
try a non-alcoholic version, cranberry juice stands in for the wine in
this Cranberry Spritzer Punch and it uses a sugar substitute and diet soda to replace some of the added sugars.
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