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NJBC Eats: Sugar-Free Mojito

By Dana Babeu, R.D. | July 17, 2020

 

It’s Summer and for some of us that means socially distanced cocktails. But most drinks can pack a lot of added sugar and empty calories into your cup. The next time you’re craving a refreshing drink, try this lightened up mojito recipe inspired by the mint plant currently taking over my backyard herb garden. The directions below are for 1 serving but you can easily adjust this to make multiple servings or a pitcher. You can also adjust the level of sweetness and alcohol to your personal preference.

 

Ingredients:

  • 5 to 6 fresh mint leaves
  • 2 1/2 to 3 Tablespoons Swerve* brand sweetener
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • About 2 ounces white rum
  • Ice cubes
  • Club soda or seltzer water
  • Lime wedges for garnish

Directions:

  1. Make a quick sugar free simple syrup in the microwave by combining 2 Tablespoons Swerve and water. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until sweetener is just dissolved. Do not overheat.
  2. In a glass or martini shaker, muddle mint leaves, lime juice and remaining Swerve until mint leaves are just slightly broken.
  3. Add a few ice cubes and rum and pour into a cup or drinking glass (do not strain). Top with club soda or seltzer to taste and garnish with a lime wedge. Enjoy immediately!

 

Recipe notes: Adjustments can include using less rum and more club soda as well as adjusting the amount of sweetener to taste.

 

*This recipe was made using Swerve brand sweetener, or powdered erythritol. It may also work with Truvia or Stevia but the amounts may need to be adjusted.

Dana Babeu, RD, is a registered dietitian at New Jersey Bariatric Center, a medical & surgical weight loss center with offices in Springfield, Somerville, Hoboken, East Brunswick, Hackettstown and Sparta, New Jersey. She provides pre-operative and post-operative nutritional counseling to New Jersey Bariatric Center’s Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, LAP-BAND (gastric band) and revision patients, in addition to dietary counseling for patients in our Medical Weight Loss program.
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