Calories and Carbs Trimmed from Favorite Martinis

Chilled martinis are among the most-requested cocktails. Following that trend, more and more professional and home bartenders are turning to flavor-infused vodkas to please their guests and trim the extra calories and carbs.

Advances in the distillation process have expanded the realm of possibilities for vodka makers and vodka enjoyers during the last decade,” says David van de Velde, president and owner of Luctor International, maker of Van Gogh Vodka. “Now, mixologists have a myriad of flavored vodkas from which to choose, allowing them to quickly master the art of making the perfect, clean martini. There’s no need for added calories, carbs and expense from unnecessary cream and calorie-laden liqueurs or flavor additives that were popular in many martinis of the past.”

Van Gogh Vodka offers 15 all-natural, flavor-infused vodkas, including the award-winning Original, as well as Mojito Mint, Citroen, Oranje, Raspberry, Vanilla, Black Cherry, Mango, Coconut, Melon, Pineapple, Wild Appel, Dutch Chocolate, Espresso and Double Espresso Double Caffeine, the first vodka with caffeine added.

Dirkzwager Distillery in Holland distills the vodka in a six-week process during which the vodka is infused with all-natural flavors in underground tanks to assure consistent temperature for smooth taste. The result is a vodka that is light on carbs but heavy on infused flavor. As a result martinis and other chilled cocktails can forego the sugar-loaded and artificially flavored and colored creams or liqueurs once needed to sweeten the deal.

To help home mixologists anticipate their guests’ desires for more refreshing, reduced calorie, low-carb cocktails, Luctor International has crafted these six recipes that conform to the dietary trend sweeping the nation. A comparison of the Slim Appletini, made with Van Gogh Wild Apple Vodka, and a standard Appletini shows how they did it:

	Slim Appletini 1 1/4 oz Van Gogh Wild Apple Vodka 3/4 oz Van Gogh Apple Liqueur 1/2 oz Apple Juice Shake with ice and strain into chilled martini glass.
	Hawaiian Cosmo 1 ¼ oz. Van Gogh Pineapple Vodka ¼ oz. White Cranberry Juice ¼ oz. Lime Juice ¼ oz. Cointreau Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of shaved coconut.
	Mojito Cosmo 1 1/2 oz Van Gogh Mojito Mint Vodka 3/4 oz Cointreau 2 oz Cranberry Juice 3/4 oz Rose's Lime Juice Shake all ingredients together over ice until cold then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint and lemon slice.
	Coconut Mintini 2 oz. Van Gogh Coconut Vodka* 2 oz. Van Gogh Mojito Mint Vodka Shake all ingredients together over ice until cold. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint To add variation, substitute or add Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka.
	Tropical Blend 3 parts Van Gogh Pineapple Vodka 2 parts Orange Juice Shake with ice into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh pineapple.
	The Diva 1 oz. Van Gogh Raspberry Vodka 3 oz. Diet Sprite Splash Pineapple Juice Pour ingredients into a tumbler filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a slice of fresh lime.

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