Beat the heat with low-carb drinks

The sun is beating down and the humidity is rising. Baby, it’s hot outside!
Have no fear, there are mouth watering, thirst quenching drinks perfect for
the low-carb lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for the perfect drink for
poolside parties or a refreshing replacement for traditional lemonade at
picnics, look no further!

Creamy Iced Mocha

For a cool, creamy, refreshing alternative to a malt, whip up a quick creamy iced mocha.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup coffee flavored whey protein powder (try PVL Whey Gourmet Mocha Java Madness)
8 ounces cold coffee
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup crushed ice or 1 cup large ice cubes

Directions:
Blend until thick and frothy in a blender. Pour into a tall glass, and enjoy!

Per serving: 7.75 carbs; 0g fiber; 47g protein; 15g fat; 456mg sodium; 61mg cholesterol; 347 calories

Strawberry Shake

This strawberry shake isn’t made with ice-cream, but it tastes just as yummy and feels like a special indulgence.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Vanilla Ice Cream Royale whey protein powder by PVL
1/2 cup crushed ice
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
5 whole strawberries

Directions:
Simply combine all three ingredients with 3/4 cup cold water in a blender and blend until ice is crushed. Add five whole frozen (unsweetened) strawberries and blend again until the strawberries are completely pureed. Pour into a frosty glass and sip this delicious treat on your front porch on a hot summer day.

Per serving: 11g carbs; 1.38g fiber; 47g protein; 15g fat; 451mg sodium; 61mg cholesterol; 361 calories

Strawberry Daiquiri

Longing for a sweet strawberry daiquiri without the sugar and the carbs?

Ingredients:
8 ounces Diet 7Up
3/4 cup crushed ice,
Five whole frozen (unsweetened) strawberries,
1 ounce vodka

Directions:
Mix ingredients in the blender and puree. Serve over ice in a tumbler.

Per serving: 4.2g carbs; 1.38g fiber; 0g protein; 0g fat; 1mg sodium; 0mg cholesterol; 83 calories

Coffee Mocha Refresher

Ingredients:
1 packet Swiss Miss Splenda-sweetened diet cocoa mix with Splenda
1 cup hot coffee
3/4 cup crushed ice or 1 cup ice cubes
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions:
Dissolve Swiss Miss Splenda-sweetened cocoa mix completely in 1 cup hot coffee. Put the mixture in the freezer for a few minutes to cool it down. Then pour the cocoa/coffee mixture into the blender, add ice, cream and cocoa powder in blender and blend until mixture is thick and rich.

Per serving: 12.2g carbs; 1.3g fiber; 3g protein; 12g fat; 206mg sodium; 41mg cholesterol; 159 calories

Luscious Lemonade Surprise

Ingredients:
1 packet unsweetened lemonade drink powder
2 quarts of ice-cold water
1 cup granulated Splenda

Directions:
Serve over crushed ice and garnish with a very thin slice of real lemon. Makes 2 quarts.

Per serving: (one cup): 3g carbs; 0g fiber; 0g protein; 0mg sodium; 0mg cholesterol; 12 calories

Cherry Chocolate Vodka Supreme

When cocktail time rolls around, enjoy this delicious cherry chocolate drink or save it as an after-dinner treat.

Ingredients:
2 ounces unflavored vodka
12 ounces diet cherry cola
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Two packets Splenda
3/4 cup crushed ice

Directions:
Combine in a blender and puree. Makes two servings.

Per serving: 0.4g carbs; 0g fiber; 0g protein; 0g fat; 28mg sodium; 0mg cholesterol; 67 calories