Thirsty Thursdays: Light-Weight Edition

As mentioned yesterday, we're in the midst of a fairly wicked heatwave. My brain, she is fried. And, frankly, I don't much care to drink anything other than water or ice tea when the weather is this hot. Sad, but true.

I can't very well give you a recipe for water - amusing as that may sound - consequently, I'm falling back on an oldie but goodie today. A dieter's delight, friend to watchers of weight and counters of calories ... the good 'ole white wine spritzer. Pedestrian? Perhaps. Refreshing? Absolutely.

White Wine Spritzer:

• chilled white wine of your choice
• chilled mineral water, Perrier or plain seltzer
  
• slices of lemon and lime
• some frozen blackberries, blueberries or red raspberries for garnish
  

Place some ice into a large wine glass and over it pour equal amounts of white wine and seltzer. Squeeze in a bit of lemon, lime, or both and stir gently. Garnish the drink with a few frozen berries for color and wheel of lemon or lime. Serve and enjoy, repeat as necessary!

While I strongly recommend the blackberries or raspberries for garnish, blueberries were residing in my fridge. Waste not, want not - so there you go.

No doubt I've made some oenophiles cringe with this entry. Relax, I'm not suggesting you use that bottle of Corton-Charlemagne you've had cellared for the past six years. Rather I'm suggesting, for the calorie-minded among you, that this is a simple, refreshing way to enjoy a drink and not blow your diet. You'll have the flavor of the wine with half the calories of a full glass ... which, naturally, will allow you to have two!

Feel free to substitute some rose if that's your preference, or garnish with whatever fruits you like. The world's your oyster!

Dieting aside, I quite enjoy a spritzer now and then, particularly in the dead of summer. Without question, its the drink of light-weights ... Let's hope for a break in the heat so we can get back to some serious drinking next week!

Cheers!