UPTOWN recently had the opportunity to chat with Megan Frank, director of Skinnygirl Cocktails. (You know, the company that brings you all the tasty cocktails you can dream of without the extra calories.) Frank gave us all the behind-the-scenes skinny on what to expect from this cocktail giant this spring, including recipes. Grab a napkin — for all the mouth-watering that’s about to happen — and keep reading!
UPTOWN: What does Skinnygirl Cocktails offer women who enjoy the occasional cocktail, but not extra calories?
Frank: Skinnygirl Cocktails offers a full portfolio of cocktails all purposely created to be lower in calories and sugar, yet always great tasting. Each offering is naturally flavored and provides a unique and exciting option for the Skinnygirl consumer. From ready-to-serve (Margarita and White Cranberry Cosmo) to ready-to-mix (Vodka with Natural Flavors) to ready-to-enjoy (Wine), Skinnygirl is letting women know that they can have it all, including great tasting cocktails that they do not have to feel guilty about drinking.
Skinnygirl Cocktails is able to make our wines with 15 percent fewer calories than other brands by purposely harvesting the grapes before they fully mature. This allows the grapes to have developed fewer sugars that ultimately lead to lower calorie wines. With our ready-to-serve products, we utilize agave nectar instead of artificial sweeteners, and with the vodkas, [which contain] 20 percent fewer calories than other leading brands, we use natural flavor essences and no artificial sweeteners.
U: How has Skinnygirl expanded since its sale by Bethenny Frankel?
Frank: Since Bethenny Frankel introduced the world to Skinnygirl Margarita in 2009, the Skinnygirl Cocktails brand has expanded to bring new cocktails options and flavors to its collection. Today, everyone can drink like a lady with the Skinnygirl Vodka with Natural Flavors (Bare Naked, Tangerine, Island Coconut, Cucumber); Skinnygirl Ready to Serve Cocktails (Margarita, White Peach Margarita, White Cranberry Cosmo, Sangria, Piña Colada); and Skinnygirl, the Wine Collection (California Red, California White, California Red). All three collections offer a delicious, naturally-sweetened taste with a low-calorie option with each and every sip.
Skinnygirl Lady-Like Lime
Ingredients
- 1 part Skinnygirl White Cherry Vodka
- 3 parts Sparkling water (Alt: use lime-flavored sparkling water)
- 2 Squirts of fresh lime juice
- Splash Cherry juice
- Cherry for garnish
- Lime wheel for garnish
Directions: Pour vodka, cherry juice, and sparkling water over ice; stir. Squirt with lime and garnish with a cherry and a lime wheel.
U: What’s in store for 2013?
Frank: This March, Skinnygirl Cocktails will add three new innovations to its portfolio:
- Skinnygirl Mojito – the most requested cocktail from our fans. It requires no muddling and contains citrus aromas with top notes of lime and hints of fresh mint. The best part, at less than 100 calories per serving, the Skinnygirl Mojito is truly a satisfying cocktail.
- Skinnygirl Moscato – joins California Red, California White, and California Rosé as the latest addition to the Skinnygirl Wine Collection, which offers something for everyone. It contains a sweet tropical fruit and honey aroma offering a light effervescent taste with notes of pear, peach, and mango. With only 100 calories per serving, it contains 15 percent fewer calories than other wines.
- Skinnygirl White Cherry Vodka with Natural Flavors – the newest to join the popular lineup of Skinnygirl Vodka with Natural Flavors, it contains a bright cherry aroma balanced with a creamy vanilla background, which is soft, gentle, and creamy on the palate. At less than 77 calories per serving (20 percent fewer calories than other vodkas) it provides the perfect base for guiltless cocktails.
U: Is Skinnygirl available in the average bar/lounge?
Frank: Skinnygirl Cocktails is available in select bars, restaurants, and lounges, and continues to expand into more spaces across the country. Skinnygirl is also available in stores nationwide, including grocery, mass retailer, and liquor stores.
Skinnygirl White Cherry Cola
Ingredients
- 1 ½ parts Skinnygirl White Cherry Vodka
- 3 parts diet cola
- Cherries for garnish
Directions: Mix vodka and diet cola over ice. Garnish with cherries.
U: With a name like Skinnygirl, I would imagine it’s difficult to get men to indulge, but they also could benefit from low-calorie cocktails. Any tips for how to get men to appreciate and sample Skinnygirl Cocktails?
Frank: Skinnygirl Cocktails has a wide-variety of great-tasting products to fit any taste bud. We also offer a range of delicious, low-calorie cocktail recipes to appeal to every audience, like the Skinnygirl Raspberry Beer Cocktail.
U: What are some popular, guilt-free recipes?
Frank: Here are some great-tasting, guilt-free recipes [including the Skinnygirl Raspberry Beer Cocktail and] using the Skinnygirl White Cherry Vodka that will launch in March.
Skinnygirl Raspberry Beer Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 part Skinnygirl Bare Naked Vodka
- 1 part chilled beer
- 2 parts of raspberry lemonade concentrate
- Frozen raspberries
Directions: Mix ingredients together and enjoy.
Skinnygirl Royal Cherry
Ingredients
- 1 part Skinnygirl White Cherry Vodka
- 2 parts champagne
- Frozen cherries
Directions: Pour champagne into flute, top with vodka and garnish with one frozen cherry.
