One of my dearest friends, Ashleigh, moved to Los Angeles a few years ago, and because I can’t accept this fact, I visit her so often that I practically have a set of keys to her apartment. This weekends trip marks my 2nd visit in 2016, and my 3rd visit in a year! What’s great about my visits is that Ashleigh’s group of friends have welcomed me with open arms. So, as you can imagine, I was pretty stoked when they invited me to join them for a girl’s weekend in Las Vegas! I’ve been twice in the past for work, but never got to cut loose, so I knew this was my chance.
I love that episode from Friends when Joey won’t stop shouting ‘Vegas, Baby!’ and ultimately finds his ‘hand twin’…fingers crossed for myself on that one! However, I know that what I will actually need to do on this vacation is stay strong as this is my first test of getting out of my comfort zone while prediabetic.
Before I left I tried to prepare as much as possible. While the Glycemic Index diet is a much heart-healthier version of the Atkins diet it can make drinking pretty difficult. Basically carbs can help lessen the affects of alcohol and without any, one drink can hit you pretty quickly. Also, the medicine I’m on, Metformin, makes you metabolize food/drink at a much quicker rate. I realized this when the three glasses of wine I had for my birthday caused me to feel hung over until 5 p.m. the next day. Yah, not a cute look!
I’ve been preparing for this trip by relearning how to drink. So, when some former colleagues invited me out for a Happy Hour of adult beverages and gossip, I knew this was my chance to revamp some of my favorite drinks and test drive alcohol for Vegas.
I am most definitely a wine-gal. Malbec and Sauvignon Blancs are my go-tos and when it comes to liquor I am most definitely a tequila girl. My Dad pulls out about five kinds of tequila at least once a visit to my parents. So you can imagine the sadness of going out for Margaritas and not partaking. Margaritas (especially frozen and fruity ones) can have up to 500 calories and over 100 grams of carbs. That is 100%, absolutely no bueno. My challenge was to think of what to drink that would fun, yummy, and still get me out of bed the next day at a reasonable time.
I decided to challenge my inner Bethenny Frankel and reconstruct her now infamous Skinnygirl Margaritas. I remembered that Agave Syrup is a Low-Glycemic sweetener but I wasn’t 100% sure that the bartenders were stocking any. After my friends placed their order I asked for a shot of the house tequila with club soda and a lime.
The server didn’t blink and brought me my cocktail. Honestly, it was a bit stronger than I was hoping for so when he returned to check on us, I requested another glass of just plain club soda and more limes. I then re-crafted my cocktail right at the table. I assumed I would get a look or two from my friends but I was surprised when they didn’t say anything. In fact, they commented on how much of a bad ass I was for drinking tequila without any sweetener!
Two beverages later, lots of laughs and reminiscing I felt great and the next morning I woke up and it was as if I never drank at all. All right, Las Vegas…I think I found my drink.
Are you interested in the No Sugar ‘Rita?
- 1 Shot of Silver Tequila
- 10-12 oz of Club Soda
- 3-4 lime wedges
A few tips: Don’t feel bad about asking your server or bartender for more Club Soda or limes. This is your beverage; you make it how you want to make it! I do however; suggest squeezing the life out of those little lime slices and using your straw to muddle them even more. You want to see the pulp swirl around in your drink; that’s when you know you got it!
I think this could also be really good with orange slices or even grapefruit slices since they are a naturally sweeter citrus, but you’d need to check with the bartender on their fruit supplies.
Wish me luck on the slots in Vegas and and if you have any cocktails that work for you and a low-carb lifestyle let me know in the comments!
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