With June bitting at our heals here, its time to start thinking about summer cocktails!

I have been wanting to launch the California Cosmo for years! And while it’s not necessarily exclusive to summertime, it sure does seem like the perfect season. Who doesn’t love the classic Cosmo, really? It’s pink, it’s pretty, it’s packed with booze and it makes you feel like a million bucks when you’re sipping amongst your finest friends. The bummer news here is that your traditional Cosmo, has over 350 calories. Sh@$%*it! After two or three of those go down you’re due for nearly two hours on the treadmill if you want to keep you butt in line (which I imagine most of us do). So the best solution, the California Cosmo!

I struggled with the formula for a while, and when I met up with my friend Natalie at Bare Mixers it suddenly became very easy. Her product is an all natural, gluten free cocktail mixer and she just launched her new Pomegranate Cranberry flavor. First off, what a killer flavor profile. Second, what a great way to get that same pretty pink color we’re used to in our Cosmos. Last, her product is super simple to use. Her product is a little high in calories with 23 calories per ounce, no problem — that’s why we love soda water! You can top off any cocktail combination to provide the full 5 oz serving, add some fun bubbles and zero calories. Nice! So here is your recipe for the perfect summer cocktail!

California Cosmo SkinnyTini

  • 2 oz Citrus Vodka
  • 1 oz Bare Mixer Cranberry Pomegranate Flavor
  • 2 oz Soda Water
  • Lime Wedge

Calories: 151 for 5 oz martini – over 50% fewer calories!

Directions: add the vodka and mixer to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 5-10 seconds to mix and chill the tini. Strain into a chilled martini glass, top with soda water and garnish with a lime. You can also squeeze in some extra lime juice if you like a tarter tini.

Summer Cocktail California Cosmo Mixology

Wondering where to get Bare Mixers? Natalie is working on distribution, so hopefully you’ll be able to order a California Cosmo SkinnyTini made with Bare when you are out an about in So Cal soon! Ask your bartenders, let’s create some demand! If you want to make at home, go to www.baremixers.com to see where it’s distributed or you can purchase it on-line as well. If Bare isn’t in your cupboard, and you can’t wait for a California Cosmo, that’s ok. It takes a little more leg work, but equal parts Pom juice and cranberry juice will do the trick and run you the equivalent calorie range.

For a fun video tutorial or vlog of Natalie and my Kate from SoCal Runner Gal, check out this cute video. It’s being featured on Kate’s killer blog this Friday as well as the launch of her Friday Favs! I would have loved to have made an appearance, but my post Balinese puffed up vacation body did not lend itself to being suitable for the camera — so I settled for filmmaker ;)

Summer Cocktail - California Vlog

Now take a look at this beauty – who doesn’t want one right now??

Summer Cocktail California Cosmo

For a few more great summer cocktail ideas, check out these guys:

Cheers!

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