**Giveaway Closed: 11/30/11**
Freshman year I gained ten pounds. Not as bad as the quintessential “freshman 15,” but my 5′ 2″ frame didn’t adapt well to the sudden rotundity. I struggled to figure out the cause – okay, so maybe five plates of food at the dining hall isn’t exactly conducive to a svelte bod. But I was taking ballet classes and walking around campus quite a bit. What had changed in my habits since high school? The answer evaded me until I ended up talking with my health guru mom about the issue over winter break. She suggested that perhaps my new curves were a result of drinking more than usual. It was only then that it dawned on me that alcohol has calories. *@)#&%!!!!! No more Long Island iced teas?! Never another glass of champagne? Could I ever savor another margarita without fear of pudge?
With refine mixers, the answer is a resounding yes! This is a brilliant company that has created three zero-calorie mixers so you can enjoy a classic cocktail without throwing in the towel on your health. There are three flavors: mojito, margarita, and cosmopolitan. Plus they’re sweetened with stevia, a no-calorie natural sweetener made from a plant native to South America. Don’t worry, stevia isn’t one of those poser “all-natural” sweeteners. It’s actually preferable to agave!
Image via refine mixers
The mixers are pretty tasty on their own if you’re looking to add some pizazz to a glass of water or some club soda. The flavors are further enhanced with a a little alcohol, but as with any cocktail it’s best to use the highest quality you can afford. Refine features plenty of recipes so you can enjoy the product to its fullest potential. My roommates and I played around with a few of the combinations and fell in love with the strawberry basil margarita. Who knew a bunch of college girls looking to blow off some steam could get so gourmet? On a few occasions I’ve invited some friends over to test out these drinks and they were all amazed and excited. Even the guys didn’t object to a hot pink cosmo!
These mixers are simple and effective. To be blunt, they allow you to enjoy the effects of hard alcohol without the empty calories of an added mixer or chaser. It doesn’t hurt that the mixers are delicious and not loaded with chemicals. However…I have to say that I’m generally wary of products like this. I’m not a fan of 100-calorie packs or reduced-fat anything. If I’m going to enjoy a decadent food, it’s gotta be the real thing. I don’t think I would choose a refine mixers cocktail over a full-fledged margarita complete with lime, salt, and a whopping 800 calories or so. Nevertheless, refine mixers are a great addition to any liquor cabinet for times when you want a quick, easy, and low-calorie cocktail!
Read on for a recipe, and comment below for a chance to win a set of refine mixers! To enter the refine mixers Giveaway, you must:
Suzannah Schneider is a junior at Tulane University and is soaking up all that she can in New Orleans before going abroad to Copenhagen in the spring. She’s partial to Pimm’s Cups and whiskey.
**Recipe**
Strawberry Basil Margarita
From refine mixers
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
2 strawberries
2 basil leaves
1.5 oz. tequila
2 oz refine margarita mix
1/2 oz refine mojito mix
Muddle the strawberries and basil leaves. If you don’t have a muddler [if you do, congrats on being a cocktail snob! ], just flatten the fruit and the herb with a rolling pin or other heavy round object.
Place the muddled mixture in a cocktail shaker with tequila, refine mixers, and ice.
Shake, pour, and serve.
Originally posted on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
21 Responses to “Review & Giveaway: Refine Mixers”
November 23rd, 2011
My signature drink, hmm…well, my go-to is a whiskey sour. Classy but not *too* girly if I’m out with a mixed crowd.
November 23rd, 2011
Just tweeted about the giveaway too (I’m already a subscriber and a fan on Facebook, but I don’t know if you guys do the “Leave a comment for every entry” thing…)
November 23rd, 2011
My signature drink is coconut rum (I prefer Malibu) with pineapple juice and cherry grenadine. Real cherries are always a yummy plus!
November 23rd, 2011
I LIKE you on FB~ Jen Tink
November 23rd, 2011
Email Subscriber as Ladytink534(at)gmail(dot)com
November 23rd, 2011
https://www.facebook.com/jen.tink1/posts/316989568312520
November 23rd, 2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Ladytink_534/status/139384720055218179
November 23rd, 2011
I’m a subscriber and like ya..and my signature drink is a mix of raspberry vodka, whipped cream vodka, and soda with a splash of grenadine…seriously, it’s amazing!!
November 23rd, 2011
Gin and tonics – with extra lime!
November 23rd, 2011
Whiskey diets all the way!
November 24th, 2011
My signature drink is Luksusowa vodka, tonic with 2 slices of orange.
I also love a very very dirty martini!
November 24th, 2011
I already subscribe to your blog! But I deleted my FB acct and follow you on twitter instead!
November 24th, 2011
vodka soda with a twist of lime but Id love to try something new with one of these mixers!
November 25th, 2011
I usually drink vodka with some juice. I’m not very demanding to be honest but I’d love to win to check out different flavours.
November 26th, 2011
My favorite drink is a yellow cab. Its whisky, vanilla liquor and pineapple juice
November 26th, 2011
My signature, “go-to” drink is an amaretto sour
I love those!! But something fairly cheap, delicious and easy is a rum and coke…or when I’m feelin’ fancy, coconut rum and Dr. Pepper
November 27th, 2011
Nantucket nectar lemonade with Sweet Carolina vodka!
November 27th, 2011
I’m a Vodka Greyhound subscriber and fan!
November 27th, 2011
I tweeted -
https://twitter.com/#!/1byspike/status/140838348683100160
November 28th, 2011
I have a couple go-to drinks…If I’m feeling fancy I’ll do a gin and tonic. If I’m in a beer mood I’ll take an IPA. And something that goes with the theme of these 0-calorie mixers – in college my friends and I would orders vodka waters with a lemon, and then squeeze some Mio into it for flavor!
June 2nd, 2013
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