Pink cupcake martini recipe

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? New Year's resolutions, that's who. Whether you are trying to lose weight or just eat healthier in 2012, that likely means cutting out those sweet, post meal calories also known as dessert.

Date Night Dishes... Drink your dessert

Going healthy can be tasty, but I'll be the first to admit that it can be a real buzz kill to date night. It's hard to be in the romantic mood while dining on salad and lemon water, but even the healthiest of eaters deserves a cheat day. Instead of eating your guilty pleasures, I prefer to drink them.

Low-cal cocktails are a fun way to fulfill your sweet tooth without completely blowing your dieting efforts. Mix-ins like soda water or freshly squeezed juice along with flavored liqueurs are a great way to get big flavor for little calories. Garnish with fun and colorful toppings like sprinkles, chocolate syrup, candies, or if you are really good, fruit. The splash of color won't just look pretty, it may help trick your mind into thinking you are getting something much better than you really are.

The average cupcake comes in anywhere between 300-500 calories, with some likely being much more depending on the flavor, toppings, type of frosting and amount of frosting. Calories are a concern but it is really the fat that we are worried about. A cupcake can contain 20 grams of fat and most of that is likely just from the frosting! We're cutting the calories and eliminating the fat altogether in hopes of providing you with a suitable dessert option for your next date night. This martini recipe comes in around 175 calories and zero grams of fat. Cheers to New Year's resolutions -- 2012 is looking better and better.

Pink cupcake martini recipe

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces soda water
• 2 ounces cake-flavored vodka (try vanilla if you can't find cake flavored)
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 ounce low-cal or 100 percent cranberry juice
• Frosting
• Sprinkles

Directions:

1. Pour soda water, vodka, orange juice and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake gently to combine.
2. Dip your finger in some frosting and run your finger around the rim of a martini glass just so it gets sticky. Dip in a plate full of sprinkles until the edges are covered.
3. Carefully pour the drink into the cup and enjoy!

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