Sparkling Pomegranate Skinny Girl Margarita

My go to cocktail is a Margarita.  I love this sweet and tart concoction with bold lime flavor, hints of orange and a salty rim.  Any kind of Tequila will do, although Patron is my favorite and I like the addition of triple sec or even better, a Grand Marnier (orange liqueur) float as you find in the Cadillac variety.

Generally, I enjoy this tantalizing drink at a Mexican restaurant or lounging by a resort pool.  However, I began wondering why I didn’t make them at home? Some limes, sugar and tequila create an authentic beverage or you can purchase a mix with or without alcohol.  The mix can be problematic due to the sugar content, producing an overly sweet drink that’s high in calories.

Therefore I was attracted to Skinny Girl Margaritas, found in most grocery stores, and created by the infamous Housewife of New York Bethany Frankel.  Although I am not a fan of the show, I decided to give this pre-made, low calorie margarita a try.  I hate to say it, but it stunk.  It lacked that sweet and sour pop in my mouth, and the agave syrup it uses as a sweetener fell flat.  I was bummed – there is nothing more depressing than a disappointing cocktail.

However, since I had a full bottle, I decided to make lemonade out of lemons. As a determined “mixologist” I added fresh orange and pomegranate juice, seltzer water, a Grand Marnier float and sugared rim. I transformed my Skinny Girl Margarita into something spectacular with bright healthy flavors, a bit of carbonation to tickle your tongue and a touch of sugar for a sweet finish.  I had morphed the Skinny Girl back into the sweet and sour libation I loved without adding too many calories.

Sparkling Pomegranate Skinny Girl Margarita 

serves 1

3 ounces Skinny Girl margarita mix

4 ounces fresh squeezed orange juice

3 ounces fresh pomegranate juice

2-3 ounces seltzer water or to taste

1 ounce Grand Marnier

2 Tbsp. of sugar for rim (I added a little red food coloring to sugar)

Rub the rim of your glass with a fresh orange slice.  Put sugar on a small plate and dip the rim of your glass into sugar.

Pour first 4 ingredients over ice (or mix in a shaker with ice) in same glass and stir.  Slowly pour Grand Marnier on top of drink.