Low-calorie alcoholic drinks may sound like an oxymoron but they really are a thing—and they can be helpful if you’re trying to decrease the amount of calories you’re consuming from alcohol. In one of the more unfair laws of the universe, alcohol isn't exactly a health elixir. Liberator of deep, dark secrets, yes. "You have dance moves like Beyoncé and need to share them with the world" cheerleader, sure. But whether you're trying to lose weight or generally live a healthy life, co*cktails aren't always a great fit.
That doesn't mean you've got to give imbibing up for good—eating and drinking things you enjoy is a necessary part of maintaining a good outlook on food (and your sanity). But if you’re trying to be mindful of the calories in your alcoholic beverages, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, a primer on how to order low-calorie alcoholic drinks.
The good news is alcoholic drinks can be lightened up if you know how to order them. Because here’s the thing: All alcohol—whether it’s liquor, wine, or beer—is calorie-dense, Rachel Beller, M.S., R.D.N, founder of Beller Nutrition, tells SELF.
“A shot of hard liquor, which is typically an ounce and a half, has about 96 calories,” she says. And remember, that’s before you start adding in mixers. Gentle reminder: Tonic water is not the same as soda water. “A 12-ounce can has about 124 calories and 32 grams of sugar,” says Beller. “Even if you’re not drinking a full can, that’s still a lot of sugar and calories where soda water has none.”
Unfortunately wine isn’t much better calorie-wise. “A glass of wine, which is usually a five and a half–ounce pour, has approximately 130 to 140 calories, and a 12-ounce light beer will contain anywhere from 120 to 150 calories, depending on what kind it is,” says Beller.
If ordering a low-calorie alcoholic drink is your primary concern, go for a very simple liquor-based drink like vodka soda with a squeeze of lime, suggests Beller. “You’re not getting the kind of nutritional value that you get from red wine, which has antioxidants, but it has fewer calories,” she explains.
In general a good rule of thumb when ordering a co*cktail is to keep it simple and ask the bartender to skip the sugary syrups and go easy on mixers like juice. “Ask for just a splash,” says Beller, who is a fan of antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice over cranberry juice. She also loves kombucha as a mixer with vodka: “It has a delicious apple-cidery taste, and half of a large bottle of kombucha (about eight ounces) is only around 25 calories,” she says.
Keep reading to learn which low-calorie alcoholic drinks other nutritionists recommend.
1. A Bloody Mary, extra spicy
"I especially love when they come with pickles, olives, or other fun garnishes. I prefer Bloody Marys to sweet drinks because the extra sugar in most co*cktails gives me a terrible hangover. Also when a drink is super spicy, it slows down my drinking and encourages me to have a sip of water between each sip of alcohol." —Abbey Sharp, R.D., Abbey's Kitchen
2. A glass of pinot noir or champagne
"I rarely pick a mixed drink, as the added sugar and calories are just not worth it for me. I like a glass of red wine, preferably a pinot noir as it has a high concentration of antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and resveratrol. And of course I appreciate the occasional glass of French champagne because life's too short not to." —Denise Julia Garbinski, M.B.A., R.D.N. of Botanical Nutrition Therapy
3. A Johnny Walker Black and Diet co*ke
"I'll get flack for this—many whiskey-lovers make fun of me for mixing the good stuff with Diet co*ke, but that's just my taste preference. I also ask the bartender to use a jigger so I know how much alcohol is mixed in." —Toby Amidor, M.S., R.D., author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen: 130 Delicious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
4. A low-calorie version of a cosmopolitan
"It's raspberry-infused vodka, club soda, and a splash of lime and cranberry juice. Even though fruit juices contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, they also contain a high amount of natural sugar, which can add up in a drink. Just a splash of the cranberry juice adds enough flavor but keeps the calories in check." —Dawn Orsaeo, R.D., L.D.N.
5. A Moscow mule with a twist
"My absolutely favorite for the summer is a Moscow mule with ginger beer, vodka, lime juice, and lots of ice, skipping the simple syrup. It's so refreshing, and when you don't use simple syrup it's only around 80 calories." —Molly Morgan, R.D., C.D.N., C.S.S.D., owner of Creative Nutrition Solutions
6. A Scotch on the rocks
"My favorite is Macallan 12-year aged Scotch. I like to avoid sugary mixers like juice, and since Scotch is stronger I sip it slower and one glass can last me the whole evening." —Rebecca Lewis, in-house R.D. at HelloFresh
7. Silver tequila on the rocks, or with soda plus lime juice or an orange slice
"Silver tequila usually has less sugar in it than brown tequila or other brown liquors. I skip the sugary mixers and drink it straight up or with no-calorie club soda and a little flavor from a splash of citrus." —Sarah Rueven, R.D., owner of Sarah Rueven Nutrition
8. A vodka seltzer with lemon or lime
“There's a common misconception that tonic water is the same as seltzer water, but it actually contains a lot of calories and sugar. I opt for seltzer instead, which is just water with bubbles. A squeeze of either lemon or lime gives the drink a healthy (and sugar-free) boost of flavor!” —Rebecca Ditkoff, R.D., CUNY School of Public Health and member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
9. An ice cold beer
"A true Wisconsin native, I'm especially a fan of a nice hoppy craft brew. Not only do I enjoy the flavor complexities a craft beer has to offer, beer gives you the most volume for about the same total of calories and alcohol as wine and spirits, meaning it takes longer to drink and therefore helps moderate total alcohol consumption." —Emily Brown, R.D.N., L.D., wellness dietitian at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program
10. A toned-down mojito
"I love the mint and lime in a mojito, but I find many places make them too sweet, so I get a sugarless mojito with extra lime. Most of the time, the mint and extra lime are enough flavor for me. If I'm feeling like it needs a little extra sweetness, I'll add my own sugar or stevia. I end up with a perfect drink every time." —Dina Garcia, R.D.N., mindful eating coach and founder of Vida Nutrition
11. A glass of sauvignon blanc or a simple marg
"I don't worry about calories or sugar. I drink my favorite wine of choice—sauvignon blanc—or a margarita on the rocks with salt (no mix, just straight tequila, lime, and agave). I know I can drink two beverages, enjoy the taste, and still get up for yoga the next morning!" —Laura Cipullo, R.D., C.D.N., C.D.E., C.E.D.R.D., owner of Laura Cipullo Whole Nutrition
12. Vodka soda with a splash of juice
"Trendy drinks like those made with aloe vera juice, kombucha, and bone broth may be novel, but they are not more nutritious or diet-friendly than a classic vodka soda with a splash of your favorite juice." —Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D.
13. Kombucha with vodka
"I love putting vodka in my kombucha, but I do it from a flavor perspective rather than for nutritional impact." —Esther Blum, M.S., R.D., author of Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous
14. Market berry co*cktails
Kristy del Coro, R.D., and culinary nutritionist for Rouge Tomate New York, likes using fresh muddled berries with vodka and simple honey syrup for extra sweetness. Get the recipe here.
Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.
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