Mike’s Hard Lemonade LITEhacks

G and I are busy getting ready for our 9th annual 4th of July Party, and this year we’re teaming up with Mike’s Hard Lemonade for even more fun in the sun!

In addition to our favorite regular flavors, to celebrate our nation’s birthday we’ll also be enjoying Mike’s LITE Hard Lemonade.  Mike’s LITE Hard Lemonade has the refreshing taste you love from a Mike’s, but with 1/3 fewer calories and sweetened with honey (versus sugar)!  Perfect for summer, Mike’s LITE varieties are offered in both lemon and black cherry.

In honor of Mike’s LITE Hard Lemonade, today I’m sharing some LITEhacks – summer recipes that, just like Mike’s LITE, are lighter in calories without sacrificing flavor.

One of my favorite things to enjoy once summer hits (and those nine months in between) is margaritas!  I love their crisp, refreshing taste, but their calorie count does not love my waistline.  Here’s my newest solution:

These “LITE-aritas” have all the flavor of a traditional margarita, but with fewer calories.  And the best part?  I made them using only 3 ingredients!

Mike’s Hard Lemonade LITE-arita
6 oz. tequila
1 (12 oz) can frozen limeade
1 bottle of Mike’s LITE Hard Lemonade

Directions:  Stir together and serve over ice.  Makes approximately 5 servings.

These LITEhack margaritas are sure to be a hit at our Fourth of July party and all summer long!

Strawberries and blueberries threaded on lollipop sticks make a colorful and healthy red, white, and blue dish for your 4th of July festivities. Keep the healthy choices going by skipping artificial sweeteners with this healthy fruit dip option – simply stir honey into yogurt (Greek or regular) to sweeten it naturally!

Cut back on greasy, fried foods this summer with this veggie-packed LITEhack alternative to boneless buffalo wings:

Buffalo Veggie Bites Ingredients
1 head of cauliflower, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup 2% milk
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 cup buffalo sauce
1 Tablespoon butter

Directions:

1.  Preheat over to 450 degrees.
2. Combine milk and lemon juice and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.  (This creates a homemade lighter alternative to buttermilk.)
3. Whisk flour and garlic salt together in a large bowl. Add milk and lemon juice mixture (after it has rested for 5-10 minutes) and whisk together.
4. Dip raw cauliflower bites into batter, coating as much as possible, and place in a lightly oiled baking dish. (If your cauliflower bite falls into the batter, just scoop it out with a fork.)

5.  Once all of your cauliflower veggie bites have been dipped, coated, and placed in a shallow dish, gently stir or mix bites to try to get them all as evenly coated as possible.
6.  Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes.  (Check on them after 15 minutes and watch to make sure they do not get too brown.)
7.  Mix buffalo sauce and melted butter in a small bowl.
8.  Pour buffalo sauce mixture over baked cauliflower, and gently stir bites to coat.  Return veggie bites to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes.  {Recipe adapted from this source}

Serve warm with blue cheese dip (recipe below).

4 Ingredient Blue Cheese Dip
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled

Mix first three ingredients.  Stir in blue cheese.  Serve with Buffalo Veggie Bites.

These Buffalo Veggie Bites pair perfectly with a crisp, refreshing Mike’s LITE Hard Lemonade – or try them with a LITE-arita!

What #LITEhacks will you be enjoying this Fourth of July weekend?