Splurge or Save On These Summer Cocktail Recipes

May 22, 2012 — -- intro: Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, full of barbecues, beaches and bathing suits. Whether you're ignoring or counting calories, we've gathered some of Manhattan's best drinks for the angel or devil on your shoulder.

Visit one of the restaurants featured to sample the delicious drinks or try making them at home with these recipes. They are a great way to kick-start your summer. Relax outside in the sun, put your feet up and decide whether you want to splurge or save. Cheers!

quicklist:1category: Beauty & Essextitle: The Ruby Mojito vs. the Emerald Gimleturl: text: One drink packs 285 calories while the other has 162. Click to see which is the splurge and which is the save.media: 16397292related:

quicklist:2category: Beauty & Essextitle: Splurge: The Ruby Mojito (285 calories)url: text: The traditional mojito gets amped up with a dose of raspberry. This cocktail gets a sweeter touch with St.Germain and raspberry soda.

1.25 oz Zacapa Rum
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz St. Germain
6 mint leaves
Raspberry soda

Muddle mint with ice, add Zacapa, lemon juice, St. Germain. Shake and strain over new ice. Top with Raspberry Soda. Serve in a highball glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Recipe courtesy Beauty and Essex.media: 16397303 related: 16157309~12234361

quicklist:3category: Beauty & Essextitle: Save: The Emerald Gimlet (162 calories)url: text: Save on calories with this summery cocktail. Basil and lime give the drink flavor without the calories.

2 oz vodka
3/4 oz lime juice
1/2 oz lemon simple syrup
3 large basil leaves

Muddle basil with ice. Add simple syrup, lime juice and vodka. Shake and strain. Pour into martini glass and garnish with a lime chip.

Recipe courtesy Beauty and Essex.media: 16397399 related: 15199730~7040142

quicklist:4category: Aldeatitle: The Raymos Gin Fizz vs. Coastal Reignurl: text: One drink has 280 calories while the other fetches 180 calories. Click to see which drink is the splurge and which is the save.media: 16397584 related:

quicklist:5category: Aldeatitle: Splurge: Raymos Gin Fizz (280 calories)url: text: Don't let this drink fool you. This light and airy dream is made with heavy cream and egg whites for a smooth cocktail that reminds us of key lime pie.

2 oz gin
1 egg white
1 oz heavy cream
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
3 dashes orange blossom water
Splash of soda water

Created by Brian Block, head bartender at ALDEAmedia: 16397574 related: 6926898

quicklist:6category: Aldeatitle: Save: Coastal Reign (180 calories)url: text: This light drink is full of summer flavor. We imagine sipping this cocktail on the beach eating mussels or oysters.

2 oz Cucumber/Lemongrass-infused vodka
1 oz Cardamaro
1 oz Dolin's Blanc Vermouth

Created by Brian Block, head bartender at ALDEAmedia: 16397617 related: 13402934~11207648

quicklist:7category: The Surrey Private Roof Gardentitle: Basil Blue vs. Basil Baby Blueurl: text: One drink has 261 calories while the other has 136. Click to see which drink is the splurge and which is the save.media: 16397531related:

quicklist:8category: The Surrey Private Roof Gardentitle: Splurge: Basil Blue (261 calories)url: text: This splurge is slightly sweeter than its low-cal counterpart. Rose champagne adds a bit of fizz for a refreshing drink.

2 oz Stoli Blueberri Vodka
4 oz rose champagne
1/2 oz simple syrup
4 ea basil leaves
6 ea blueberries
Fresh lemon wheel

Muddle 6 Blueberries and 4 Basil Leaves in a rocks glass. Pour 2 jiggers of Stoli Blueberri Vodka and fill the glass with ice. Pour ½ jigger of simple syrup and rose champagne. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Recipe courtesy The Surrey Private Roof Garden.media: 16397519 related: 8509472~14324082

quicklist:9category: The Surrey Private Roof Gardentitle: SAVE: Basil Baby Blue (136 calories)url: text: This version of the Basil Blue is as low-cal as it gets. The light blueberry flavor tastes fantastic with any summer barbecue fare.

2 oz Stoli Blueberri Vodka
4 oz club soda
1/2 oz Splenda syrup
4 ea basil leaves
6 ea blueberries
Fresh lemon wheel

Muddle 6 blueberries and 4 basil leaves in a rocks glass. Pour 2 jiggers of Stoli Blueberri Vodka and fill the glass with ice. Pour ½ jigger of splenda syrup and 4 oz diet ginger ale. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Recipe courtesy The Surrey Private Roof Garden.media: 16397541 related: 16379836~16379905

quicklist:10category: Rosa Mexicanotitle: Pomegranate Margarita vs. Rosalitaurl: text: One drink boasts 200 calories while the other has 150. Can you guess which is the splurge and which is the save?media: 16397188 related:

quicklist:11category: Rosa Mexicano title: Splurge: Pomegranate Margarita (200 calories)url: text: This icy splurge is Rosa Mexicano's signature drink. Serve with chips and guacamole and you'll have a restaurant-worthy fete in the comfort of your own home.

2 ounces white tequila
½ ounce Triple Sec
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh pomegranate juice
6-8 ounces or one scoop of ice
Garnish with lime wheel or wedge

Mix all the ingredients in a blender until smooth and frothy.

Recipe courtesy Rosa Mexicano.media: 16396906 related: 11152515~13291342

quicklist:12category: Rosa Mexicanotitle: Save: Rosalita (150 calories)url: text: If you're watching your waistline, this drink is lighter option. Beverage director Brook Vandecar says that guests "love that it's so flavorful and still has a nice a kick, without having to worry so much about the calories."

1/4 oz orange juice
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz agave mixture
2 oz Casa Noble Organic Silver Tequila

Shake together and serve over ice.

Recipe courtesy Rosa Mexicano.media: 16396925 related: 10355041~6804093

quicklist:13category: David Burke Townhousetitle: Tequila Mockingbird vs. Heat of the Nighturl: text: One drink has 230 calories while the other has 166. Which drink is the splurge and which is the save?media: 16397498 related:

quicklist:14category: David Burke Townhousetitle: SPLURGE: Tequila Mockingbird (230 calories)url: text: This sweet splurge is perfect for a dinner of blackened fish or fried chicken. This also pairs well with your favorite spicy foods.1 ½ oz Don Julio blanco Tequila
½ oz grapefruit juice
1 oz St. Germain
¼ oz basil mint syrup
Handful of basil leaves, finely ground
Handful of sugar

Combine ground basil and sugar and let sit in a cool place over night to dry out. Rim glass with sugared basil leaf mixture. Shake tequila, grapefruit juice, St. Germain and basil mint syrup. Strain into martini glass. Place 2 drops of aperol in center of drink.

Recipe courtesy of Heidi Turzyn for David Burke Townhouse.media: 16397478 related: 13302338~10890972

quicklist:15category: David Burke Townhousetitle: Save: Heat of the Night (166 calories)url: text: This cocktail has an herbal quality perfect for summer dinners served with light salads or shrimp. If you're drinking it with dessert, serve it with a peach or raspberry shortcake.½ oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz jalapeno simple syrup
2 oz Nolet's 44 gin

Shake all ingredients and strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with three pieces of candied ginger.

Recipe courtesy of Heidi Turzyn for David Burke Townhouse.

Calorie estimates based on Caloriecount.commedia: 16397438 related: 16078173~10786235