NA Citrus Spritzer

Given up soda and other soft drinks, even alcohol for your current diet?  I have.  And by chance I came across a recipe on another blog for a low-cal Margarita Spritzer.  Nothing wrong with that as far as I can tell... except out here on the boat working, we are sans alcohol.  Okay, we do have NA Beer (O'Doul's and Sharps) and even some NA Wine and Champagne (and if you're a fan of either, you'll ruin yourself for life by trying the NA versions!), but nothing really to satiate the appetites of those who crave some liqour.

But I have a fix that will leave you refreshed, though perhaps not buzzed.

These fun, light, Citrus Spritzers have very few ingredients, and are easily transformable into an alcoholic version (I know some of you were worried about that one).  They are also a great low-cal substitute for those of you craving those sodas and need some respite.



NA Citrus Spritzer
Servings: 1 • Serving Size: 1  • Calories: 77 • Fat: 0.1 g • Carbs: 20 g • Fiber: 0.2 g • Protein: 0.4 g • Sugar: 17.1 g  Sodium: 15.8 mg

• 1/4 cup (1 1/2 shots) fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2 tbsp lemon (or lime) juice
• 1/4 (1 1/2 shots) cup seltzer water

Prepare simple syrup my mixing 1 part sugar to 1 part water over medium-high heat.  It's done more or less when the sugar is completely dissolved (I use a water boiler spout on the boat and just pour it over the sugar, stir, and then microwave for 1min).

In a small tumbler fill with ice, add in your fresh OJ.  I strongly recommend the fresh squeezed, but if you really must you can hit up the carton you have in the door of your fridge.  Next add your lemon or lime juice, it works either way, or do a tablespoon of each.  Lastly pour your seltzer water over the top.  Depending on the size of your tumbler the amount of seltzer added will vary, but with the ones I use, it's just about 1/4 cup.

Stir and enjoy.

Want to add the little kick that it's missing?  Salt the rim before adding liquids, remove the simple syrup from the recipe and add 1 oz of your favorite tequila along with 1/2 oz of orange liqueur, and garnish with a lime.  Expect the alcoholic version to add about 60 calories to the drink.

Images in this post taken with iPhone 4.  Please feel free to reproduce them as you see fit.