I wasn't sure where to post this, since there isn't a Beverages section in the Recipe Forum. If the moderators need to move this somewhere else, that's fine.

I'm perfecting my "Bawdy Margarita." A typical margarita you get in a restaurant can be 700 calories or more. I have mine down to 302 calories with 20 carbs. Still WAY too high. Here's the recipe:

2 oz tequila
1 1/2 oz lime juice
1 1/2 oz Triple Sec
1 1/2 oz simple syrup (made with Splenda)
1 1/2 oz water

10 calories and 3 carbs come from the lime juice, so that's ok. The rest come from the Triple Sec (103 calories and 11 carbs in 1 oz).

Any idea for a substitute for the Triple Sec? I tried using some sugar-free DaVinci orange syrup, but it's too strong and it turns the margarita orange. Yuck.

Any ideas?

By the way, to make simple syrup, you mix together equal amounts of Splenda and water.

Never mind! I think I figured out something. I made up a cup of simple syrup (1 cup water and 1 cup Splenda), and the added maybe 1/2 tsp of orange extract. Then I changed the recipe as follows:

2 oz tequila
1 1/2 oz lime juice
2 oz simple syrup (made with Splenda and "infused" with orange extract)
1 1/2 oz water

This is pretty darn good, if I say so myself! Turns out to be 148 calories with 3 carbs.

ummm that sounds soo yummy! I can't even remember the last time I had a margarita.. hummm

It is such a relief to know that someone out there is worrying about the important stuff!

I tried the Baja Bob's mix, but it tasted too artificial to me. I got to like it, but it still wasn't the same as a "real" one. This recipe is much closer.

I do my part!

I'd think your simple syrup isn't going to actually be syrup, more like sweetened water.

I was going to suggest using an Orange SF syrup but sounds like you figured it out.

I was going to suggest orange extract- glad you're enjoying it.

You may be right about this. I looked up recipes for simple syrup, and they were all equal parts sugar and water. Of course, it did say to boil it and then let it cool.

But hey, when you want a margarita, there's no waiting for something to boil and then cool down!

Yep! Syrup instructions always give you the quantities for thick, medium and thin syrups and they always include real sugar and boiling ... artificial sweeteners won't thicken, they'll just sweeten. Maybe one of our kitchen experts can chime in here with an artificial sweetener that WILL thicken, or maybe you need to add a wee tad of Thick'nThin/not Sugar?

Maybe, but the margarita tastes good as is.

Yeah, just stick more ice in and that'll thicken it up nicely!

Sugar alcohols make syrup but they all have either unpleasant gastro effects or a minty-cooling effect in the mouth.

Me, I'd love to do some orange zest and a twist...

Meanwhile:
"
Beverages
Ginger Mint Tea
Coffee Idea
Hot Chocolate!
slushies
DIY Strawberry Smoothie
Berry Soda Shake
lemon yogurt shake
LC Chocolate smoothie 4-5g
Pumpkin protein shake
Celebrate Fall! Low-carb Pumpkin 'Ice Cream' Protein Shake
Quick Protein Shake with a Twist
Protein Shake - No Powders
Orange Creamsicle Drink
DIY lowcarb protein shake
Super Awesome Mocha Shake
Double Chocolate Smoothy
Quicky Milky Drink
Double Duty Cream Brulee Ice Coffee
Delicious LC cocktail
Brave Bull "

...from the Contents of Quick Meals and Snacks thread in the Quick Meals and Snacks section of the Recipe forum.

...
low carb and low cal margarita
quick margarita
LC margarita
does anyone have a margarita recipe?
all from using the SEARCH feature with margarita as a keyword at the
Kitchen: Low-Carb Recipes level
so lots of ways to see how others have done beverages, and especially the ever-popular margarita.

Enjoy!

Exactly what I was thinking. Be sure to twist the strip of rind over the glass so that you catch the spray of orange oil. Orange oil and alcohol are the only ingredients in orange extract anyway. If you use fresh zest I'm sure you'll get a fresher taste than with extract.

Thanks for this Jude; I was just about to make my grocery list and head off to the store.