(CAKE) first move to cut calories. Two years ago, it rolled out a Small Plates and Snacks menu with less food and lower prices. The move has since been widely copied by a number of chains.Cheesecake, which makes its cocktail drink mixes in house, will replace some sugar with Splenda and some natural sweeteners, Mears says. It will not reduce alcohol content or portion sizes.While it's good to offer customers lower-calorie choices, says Robyn Flipse, a registered dietitian and consultant, "People who believe fewer calories in their drinks will offset a high portion of calories in their meals are mistaken."The rollout for the lower-calorie drinks, to be sold along with conventional drinks, will hit all 150 locations by March. The prices won't get skinnier, however: from about $7 to $11.Others in the low-cal cocktail crowd:•Some of the 17 Ram Restaurant amp; Bakery locations in five states sell 80-calorie, Skinny Lime Bite Coolers made with Captain Morgan Lime Bite Rum and Diet Coke and served with a lime wedge.•Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill, an Austin chain, has a "Naturally Skinny" drink menu with six drinks under 250 calories. The drinks do not use artificial sweeteners, but fresh juice, spirits and natural garnishes, says Nick Rotas, regional manager.•RA Sushi Bar Restaurant locations in Pembroke Pines and Palm Gardens, Fla., are selling "skinny" cocktails under 200 calories.Technomic's Tristano says skinny cocktails particularly appeal to women and to older consumers. But, he adds, "By the time you get to the third drink, you might not care how many calories are in it."/>"consumers>
Cheesecake Factory's skinny drinks are about 150 calories
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