Healthier: Margarita or Daiquiri

The Dilemma

While visiting a Mexican restaurant with some friends a few weeks back, I was faced with a tough decision: margarita or daiquiri? The daiquiri’s were just slightly cheaper, but the margaritas had more flavors. So I decided to ask myself an important question: which is healthier? Since I knew I was about to consume at least a pound of chips and queso, then an enchilada, then a cheese quesadilla, I thought I should at least consider my healthy choices for a drink. Only problem- I didn’t know off the top of my head which would be better for my jeggings, and my girlfriends tittered at me when I asked them, digging into their chips and cheese with a vengeance, not worried about their expanding skinny jeans. So I needed to do some research so I could be better prepared for my next go around.

What is a margarita?

Besides delicious, it is a cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lemon and lime juice. Variations on the original margarita abound, as you can make them with fruit juice, blended fruits, even buy them frozen and just toss them in your blender. Different flavors are quite popular, and can include strawberry, mango, peach, and watermelon. Margaritas are often served with salt around the rim of the glass, and garnished with fruit.

What is a daiquiri? 

Daiquiri’s are made with rum, ice (often shaved ice), lime juice, and a sweetener. They can also be made with different flavors and variations, including the classic daiquiri and a frozen daiquiri, which is made with blended fruits. Sound familiar?

The Decision

What I gathered from my research, besides a thirst for a fruity concoction, is basically this: margarita’s are made with tequila; daiquiris with rum. So, which liqueur is the healthiest for us? I found a few facts on Sparkpeople.com, who declared the winner to be rum. The nutritional value they listed sketched out to the following: Rum: 77 calories, 8g Carbs per 1.5 ounce serving; and Tequila: 104 calories, 9g Carbs per 1.5 ounce serving. Next time you are faced with this extremely difficult decision, I hope you remember this post and shoot for the daiquiri!

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=893