Sipping on a happy hour cocktail alongside friends, family or coworkers, is a wonderful way to wind down from a busy day and connect with loved ones. But while blended piña coladas and margaritas are certainly tempting treats, they’re often packed with sugars and extra calories. Alcohol and weight loss don’t usually go together, especially when you’re looking for ways to lose weight on vacation.

Fortunately, not all that’s crafted behind the bar is perilous to your weight loss pursuits.

Like simple syrups and dense creams, alcohol can be savored in moderation, too. Alcohol is often high in calories and consuming too much can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and digestive issues that may prevent your body from absorbing the nutrients it needs.^[1]

So, if you're looking for an alcoholic beverage with fewer calories, we’re shaking it up with six low-calorie alcoholic drinks you can feel good about.

#1 Vodka Soda

Vodka soda is the leafy greens of the cocktail world. This alcoholic drink is light, refreshing and pairs wonderfully with a spritz of lemon.

Boasting only 133 calories in a 7.5-ounce glass, vodka sodas are incredibly low calorie alcoholic drinks, especially when compared to many blended cocktails, which can range anywhere from 400-500 calories.^[2]

To make a vodka soda, gather:

●       Two ounces of vodka

●       Club soda or sparkling water

●       Lemon wedge, cucumber or mint leaves

Then, grab a tall glass, fill it with ice and pour in the vodka, followed by club soda to top it off with a bubbly fizz. If you prefer a hint of citrus, squeeze a few drops of lemon into your low-calorie elixir before taking your first sip.

#2 Tequila With Lime

Photo by: bhofack2 on iStock

For a low-calorie rendition of a slightly tart, salt-rimmed margarita, opt for tequila with lime. A classic margarita, made with tequila, lime, triple sec and often simple syrup, can have up to 300 calories.^[3]

When you eliminate the triple sec, simple syrup and salt, you’re left with an equally as tasty mixed drink that’s only 99 calories per shot.^[4]

To serve low calorie alcoholic drinks to the whole crew, create a batch tequila cocktail with:

●       Three cups of your preferred tequila

●       One cup lime juice

For a hint of caramel sweetness, you can include yacon syrup. It’s a plant-based sweetener that may promote good gut bacteria.^[5] That said, only add a few drops. While yacon syrup only has a third of the calorie content as sugar, it’s still about 20 calories per tablespoon.^[6]

#3 Light Beer

If you’re craving an alcoholic drink with hoppy undertones over fruity spritzes, grab a light beer. Light beers with low alcohol content can reduce your alcohol consumption and calorie consumption.

Traditional beers with 5% alcohol content contain about 150 calories, while IPAs and draft pours with higher alcohol content can often range from 200-300 calories. Light beers with 2% to 3% alcohol, on the other hand, hover around 60-80 calories.^[7]

That said, some light beers pale in comparison to other beers when it comes to flavor. To elevate your happy hour hops, add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.

#4 Dry Martini

Whether it’s shaken or stirred, a dry martini is one of many favored low-calorie alcoholic drinks. Ordering a superb, low-calorie martini comes down to one thing: vermouth.

Vermouth is a fortified wine that’s often flavored with aromatic botanicals. Sweet vermouth, which often complements wet martinis, comes from red wine and can contain up to 15% sugar, while dry vermouths only contain about 3% sugar.^[8]

With that in mind, the typical dry martini consists of 2.5 ounces of gin and 0.5 ounces of dry vermouth, amounting to about 185 calories.^[9]

#5 White Wine Spritzer

Photo by: Bhofack2 on iStock

Looking to lower your calorie intake without sacrificing your happy hour? A white wine spritzer is an elegant and effervescent addition to any low-calorie cocktail hour, and it’s relatively low calorie, too—a five-ounce glass of white wine is just under 130 calories.^[10]

If you’re making it at home, simply add three parts white wine (chilled) to one part sparkling water. A spritz of lemon, lime or orange can elevate its flavor profile, and adding fresh fruits like blackberries, strawberries, peaches or pineapple can infuse your drink with a fruity essence.

Low-calorie white wines that pair perfectly with sparkling water or club soda include:

●       Chardonnay

●       Pinot grigio

●       Dry riesling

#6 Light Moscow Mule

Traditional Moscow mules are packed with flavor—and calories, too. Parse out ingredients like simple syrup and instead fill your copper mug with ginger beer, lime juice and just a splash of vodka for a dinnertime drink that’s less than 200 calories.

Photo by: Roxiller on iStock

Ingredients to Avoid in Alcoholic Drinks

A medley of delicious — and often enticing — ingredients are muddled, mixed and blended into our favorite alcoholic beverages. However, what makes these drinks so delectable are often responsible for their high-calorie and sugar content.

When ordering your beverage, or making your own, avoid aperitifs with the following ingredients:

●       Simple syrups and sugar – Simple syrups in sweeteners and cocktail premixes regularly  infiltrate fruity beverages and soda-based drinks. Unfortunately, they’re also highly processed and high in sugars, which can increase the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease.^[11]

●       Fruit juice – While tropical juices can add a splash of plummy sweetness to alcoholic drinks, they also have high fructose concentrations and, consequently, a large amount of calories. While studies about adults’ consumption of fruit juice are inconclusive about its health risks, some have shown that it can lead to weight gain.^[12]

●       Salt – Often rimmed on the side of popular tequila cocktails like margaritas, palomas and micheladas, salt is a happy hour staple. However, too much can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems.^[13]

●       Cream – Heavy cream, coconut cream and certain cream-based liqueurs, which are common mix-ins for piña coladas, White Russians and Grasshoppers, have a high calorie content and should be avoided.

●       Soda – Fizzy soft drinks are filled to the brim with sugars, which can take a toll on your dental and heart health. Plus, one can of soda contains anywhere from 125-180 calories.^[14]

Tips for Cutting Calories

If you adore sipping pretty on healthy beers, wines and mixed drinks, there are various ways to cut the calories while still maintaining the integrity (and flavor) of your favorite drinks:

●       Use natural or low-calorie sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, xylitol, yacon syrup and monk fruit sweetener.

●       Incorporate fresh herbs like mint, basil, lavender and rosemary to spice up your drink.

●       Adjust ingredient ratios to reduce high-caloric or high-sugar additions.

●       Add fresh fruit for natural sweetness like strawberries, pineapple, oranges, lemons and watermelon.

●       Choose diet sodas over regular sodas to reduce the amount of calories and sugar in your drink.

●       Opt for low-calorie, low-carb alcohols like gin, vodka, tequila, scotch and whiskey.

●       Make drinks at home to control which ingredients make it into your evening libation.

Begin Your Weight Loss Journey With Jenny Craig

A low-calorie drink devoid of sugar, fruit juice and cream is the perfect dinnertime accompaniment for those looking to enjoy a fresh-made drink while embarking on their own weight loss journey.

For scientifically proven, holistic, quick weight loss diet programs, join Jenny Craig.

We offer chef-crafted meals and snacks which are made with high-quality ingredients to help you meet your nutritional needs. You can even enjoy a low-calorie alcoholic drink from time to time. Our meal plans for weight loss draw from over 100 menu items and include premium, frozen meals. And now, we offer Fresh dinners!

Plus, our fasting bars are designed to keep you feeling full while supporting fat burn with simple ingredients like nuts and honey.

Lose weight without sacrificing your favorite foods with Jenny Craig.

Quote

 

This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles and was written by an experienced health and lifestyle contributor and reviewed by certified professionals. 

Our goal at Jenny Craig is to provide the most up-to-date and objective information on health-related topics, so our readers can make informed decisions based on factual content. All articles undergo an extensive review process, and depending on the topic, are reviewed by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Nutritionist, to ensure accuracy. 

 

This article contains trusted sources including scientific, peer-reviewed papers. All references are hyperlinked at the end of the article to take readers directly to the source.

 

Sources:

CDC. Alcohol Use and Your Health. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vodka and Soda. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1104445/nutrients

Center For Science in the Public Interest. Which alcoholic beverages have the most (or least) calories? https://www.cspinet.org/article/which-alcoholic-beverages-have-most-or-least-calories

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Tequila. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1104491/nutrients

Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry. Prebiotic Oligosaccharides: Special Focus on Fructooligosaccharides, Its Biosynthesis and Bioactivity. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28948462/

WebMD. Yacon Root Syrup: Are There Health Benefits? https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-yacon-root

Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. Buying Guide For Vermouth. https://www.abc.virginia.gov/products/product-knowledge/buying-guide-vermouth

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wine, Dessert, Sweet. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1104477/nutrients

Diseases. Wine: An Aspiring Agent in Promoting Longevity and Preventing Chronic Diseases. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/6/3/73

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wine, Table, White. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1104474/nutrients

Translational Medicine at UniSa. Obesity and Obesity Related Diseases, Sugar Consumption and Bad Oral Health: A Fatal Epidemic Mixtures.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5536157/

Nutrients. Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8228760/

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Salt and Sodium. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/

WebMD. Drinks With as Many Calories as Soda. https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-drinks-same-calories-soda
 

[1] CDC. Alcohol Use and Your Health. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

[2] U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vodka and Soda. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1104445/nutrients

[3] Center For Science in the Public Interest. Which alcoholic beverages have the most (or least) calories? https://www.cspinet.org/article/which-alcoholic-beverages-have-most-or-least-calories

[4]  U.S. Department of Agriculture. Tequila. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1104491/nutrients

[5] Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry. Prebiotic Oligosaccharides: Special Focus on Fructooligosaccharides, Its Biosynthesis and Bioactivity. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28948462/

[6]WebMD. Yacon Root Syrup: Are There Health Benefits? https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-yacon-root

[7] Center For Science in the Public Interest. Which alcoholic beverages have the most (or least) calories? https://www.cspinet.org/article/which-alcoholic-beverages-have-most-or-least-calories

[8] Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. Buying Guide For Vermouth. https://www.abc.virginia.gov/products/product-knowledge/buying-guide-vermouth

[9] U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wine, Dessert, Sweet. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1104477/nutrients

[10] U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wine, Table, White. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1104474/nutrients

[11] Translational Medicine at UniSa. Obesity and Obesity Related Diseases, Sugar Consumption and Bad Oral Health: A Fatal Epidemic Mixtures.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5536157/

[12] Nutrients. Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8228760/

[13] Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Salt and Sodium. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/

[14] WebMD. Drinks With as Many Calories as Soda. https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-drinks-same-calories-soda