WLS Friendly Cocktail

One of my favorite holiday memoris when I was a kid was the yummy "cocktail" my mom would make for us.  We'd usually had it for holiday parties or Christmas or New Year's Eve.  This year my mom made it for the ladies when we did the cookie exchange a few weeks ago.  And tonight, I made it for me and Grandmas as we hang out for New Year's Eve.  



The original recipe is definitely not WLS friendly.  It's out of the old Betty Crocker Cookbook (you know, the red and white checkered binder one).  Here's the original:

Sparkle Punch

1  package kool-aid (lemon-lime or cherry)
1 c. sugar
2 cups milk
1 qt vanilla ice cream
12oz seltzer

Mix kool-aid, sugar and milk.  Pour into 6 to 8 glasses (only half way full).  Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and top off each glass with seltzer water.  Garnish with a cherry or orange slice.  Serve it with a straw and spoon.


 Sugar Free Sparkle Punch

1 tub Cherry Crystal Light (or any red colored flavor)
2 cups milk
1 quart no-sugar-added vanilla ice cream
12 oz seltzer water

Mix Crystal Light and milk.  Pour into glasses, top with ice cream and seltzer. Garnish.

So the WLS version of this drink will have less than 100 calories and even a little bit of protein from the milk. And even though it's not a real alcohol beverage, if you serve it in a wine glass, it sure does feel like it's a cocktail.