The Diet Detective: The Best Summer Drink Recipes

Here are several high- and low-calorie drinks to help quench your summer thirst and fill your belly. Seltzer, unsweetened iced tea and water are the real low-calorie alternatives, but in case you're looking for a few others, here you go.

Ginger-Peach Margaritas

Healthy recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Fresh (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013)

Makes 5 to 6 (6-ounce) servings

  • 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
  • 1 tablespoon crystallized ginger, very finely chopped
  • 1 lime
  • 2 medium (6 to 8 ounces each) peaches, unpeeled, pitted and cut up
  • 1 recipe ginger syrup (recipe follows)
  • 1/2 cup tequila
  • 1/3 cup Cointreau or Triple Sec
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 2 1/2 cups ice cubes

In a shallow dish combine sugar and crystallized ginger; set aside. Cut a thick lime slice; cut slice in half. Rub halves around rims of 5 or 6 glasses. Dip rims into the sugar mixture to coat; set glasses aside. Slice remaining lime into 5 or 6 slices; set aside for garnish.

In a blender combine peaches, ginger syrup, tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. Cover and blend until smooth. Gradually add ice cubes, blending until smooth (blender will be full). Pour into glasses. Garnish with the reserved lime slices. Freeze 3 to 4 hours.

Nutrition per serving: 188 calories

Exercise equivalents in minutes:

  • Walk: 49
  • Bike: 27
  • Run: 20
  • Swim: 23
  • Yoga: 64
  • Dance: 32

Ginger Syrup

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger

In a small saucepan combine sugar, water and ginger. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil gently, uncovered, for 4 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; let cool. Remove and discard the ginger.

More: Keep Cool With Healthier Summer Drinks