Keep the Flavor and Lower the Calories: Best Low-Calorie Alcoholic Drinks
Choosing wellness and eating in a mindful, healthy way are great goals that often make it hard to incorporate our favorite treats, like an occasional alcoholic beverage! Liquid calories from a couple of cocktails can add up quickly, but fortunately, there are easy ways to choose lower-calorie options.
In general, one serving (5oz wine, 1.5oz liquor, 12oz beer) has between 75-125 calories. But our drinks often far surpass these serving sizes! Paying attention to quantity is one of the best ways to limit your caloric intake from alcohol. You can make other easy adjustments to reduce the added sugars in your drinks, though. From brunch to seasonal favorites, here are some of the best low-calorie alcoholic drinks for any occasion.
Infuse Your Own Flavors
Infusing vodka or gin with your own flavors at home can be one of the best low-calorie alcoholic drinks. Just add a little sparkling water when you serve and voila! Infusing the flavor yourself allows you to choose lower-calorie options and avoid all of the sugary syrups and juices often found in cocktails at the bar. From fruits to spices, herbs to vegetables, there isn’t much that won’t mix with vodka and gin! A few of the most popular options are vanilla bean, cinnamon, chile peppers, and citrus.
Here’s a simple guide to flavoring your own vodka (and gin works the same way, just keep in mind that gin’s flavor works better with botanicals/spices than the sweeter things – but the sky’s the limit!).
Best for Brunch
Whether you’re cooking at home or dining out with friends, brunch menus almost beg for a delicious drink on the side. Try to stay away from the mimosas that contain a lot of sugar from the added juice. Instead, opt for a glass of extra-dry champagne with some frozen berries added for color and flavor.
If you like things a little spicier, make your own Bloody Mary so that you can control the “extras.” Avoid pre-mixed bottles that often have lots of salt and added sugars. One quick and lower-calorie alternative? Add some Otamot Organic Spicy Sauce to your vodka for a kick of heat, tomatoey flavor, and some extra sneaky veggies.
Seasonal Spring/Summer
One of the most refreshing drinks is a mojito – for a low-calorie version, use light rum, skip the syrup (or use this monk fruit zero-calorie substitute), and add extra mint and lime juice along with sparkling water. If you’re looking for something bubbly and portable to take on your summer vacations, try boozy kombucha from Luna Bay Booch; naturally, low sugar and packed with probiotics, the variety of flavors will leave you satisfied and refreshed.
Photo by Merla/Shutterstock
Seasonal Fall/Winter
Rich, warm drinks are often a part of our fall and winter celebrations. But those options can come with a steep calorie toll. Instead of eggnog or spiked hot chocolate, try options that rely on the flavors of fruit and spices instead. A hot toddy is a great cool-weather low-cal option because you can control how much honey or sugar substitute (like liquid Splenda) you add to your whiskey/bourbon, lemon juice, spices, and water.
If a warm, mulled wine is your seasonal favorite, you can make a lower-calorie version at home by carefully selecting your ingredients and ratios; try making it without any added sugar and mixing two parts wine with one part sparkling water before you put it on the stove.
Beer and Wine
If you prefer beer and wine, you can still make delicious low-calorie choices without sacrificing quality and flavor. On the wine aisle, choose a rosé that isn’t too sweet (so avoid the dessert wines) to minimize the calories. Better yet, have wine delivered right to your door with a rosé membership from Dry Farm Wines; their products are sugar/additive-free and delicious! For lower-calorie red and white options, head to Skinnygirl Cocktails and browse their bottles.
For the beer lovers, light and low-calorie varieties are your best bet; everything from Corona to Miller has a light option these days. If you’d like a “regular” beer, remember that a lighter color generally means fewer calories, so avoid the stouts; try Dogfish Head Brewery’s Slightly Mighty IPA brewed with monk fruit for the best flavor!
Whether you’re crafting your own infused liquor at home or out for a night with friends, knowing some of the best low-calorie alcoholic drinks for any occasion will help you have that drink and enjoy it, too!
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