The weather is warmer, flowers are blooming, and the birds are chirping…so you know what that means right? Cocktail time! Sometimes there’s nothing better after a long hard week, or a Monday (no judgement here), than sitting outside and sipping a refreshing cocktail. The problem is sometimes we’re in the mood for something a little more exciting than a vodka soda and typical drinks have so many calories and a ton of added sugar. Kali is to the rescue! We’ve picked a few of our favorite cocktails that are sure to hit the spot without any added guilt.

#1 Spicy Paloma

This is so refreshing, but also has a nice kick from the jalapeño. If you’re salting the rim, run a lime wedge across it first so the salt will adhere. Next, combine all the ingredients in a shaker and shake well. Strain and pour over ice in the salted glass. Recipe courtesy of Sugar and Cloth. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 oz. of tequila
• 3 oz. of fresh grapefruit juice, strained
• 1 small jalapeño
• 1 lime wedge
• splash of grapefruit or plain soda water
• salt for the rim (if desired)

#2 Gin and Juice

So simple, but so good! Fill your glass with ice and the soda water. Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake for about 15 seconds until foamy. Pour into the glass and garnish with fruit if you wish. Recipe courtesy of Almost Makes Perfect.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. of gin
• 5 oz. of fresh blood orange juice
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 oz. of soda water
• garnish with fruit (if desired)

#3 Ginger Kombucha Smash

This could not be easier to assemble and it is so delicious! Combine 1 part vodka and 1 part ginger kombucha over crushed ice. Garnish with mint and a lemon slice.

Ingredients:

• 1 part vodka
• 1 part ginger kombucha
• A few sprigs of mint
• A lemon slice

#4 Watermelon Mojito

Mojito’s are usually loaded with tons of sugar, but by adding watermelon you get just enough sweetness. Process the watermelon in a blender until liquified. Muddle the lime juice and mint leaves together in a small bowl. Fill a glass with ice, rum, and soda water. Pour watermelon juice and lime/mint mixture over the top. Garnish with mint sprigs if desired.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup watermelon, seeded and roughly chopped
• 1/2 a lime, juiced
• 4 mint leaves (more sprigs for garnish if desired)
• 1 oz. of rum
• Soda water

#5 Skinny Margarita

An old stand-by. This version is not only much lower in calories and sugar, but tastes way fresher too. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake for about 10 seconds. Pour over ice.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. (1 shot) of tequila
• 1.5 oz. of lime juice
• 1.5 oz. of freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 oz. of water
• 2 tsp. Agave

Cheers!