Low Calorie Drink Recipes: Skinny Cocktails and Alcohol Options With Less Guilt

You can enjoy the treats and beverages of any celebration and still protect your waistline by choosing low calorie alcoholic drinks. The number of calories in a mixed drink varies depending on three factors, which include the percentage of alcohol, the mixer and the drink size.

Don't Forget the Calories in the Alcohol Itself

The higher the alcohol percentage the more calories you will consume. For example 80-proof vodka (40% alcohol; the most common type) has 64 calories per 1oz 86-proof vodka (43% alcohol) has 70 calories 1 oz 90-proof vodka (45% alcohol) has 73 calories and so on. Mixers alone can be packed full of calories such as soda and flavored syrups. Try choosing beverages mixed with low calorie fruit juice, vegetable juice, club soda or diet soda. Don’t be afraid to ask the bartender if he or she can mix your beverage with one of the following mixers:

Low calorie mixer options:

• Diet soda or diet tonic: 0 calories
• Orange juice (6 oz): 84 calories
• Light orange juice (8 oz): 50 calories
• Light cranberry juice (8 oz): 40 calories
• Light lemonade (8 oz): 5 calories
• Coffee, tea: 0 calories
• Lemon or lime juice (1/2 oz): 10 calories

Low Calorie Beer and Wine Options

For those who are trying to protect their diet and consume fewer carbohydrates choosing light beers such as Michelob Ultra or wine can help. Light beer equals low carbohydrate. They contain the same amount of alcohol but fewer calories. On average here is how beer and wine choices look for calorie consumption:

• Port wine (3 oz): 128
• Bloody Mary (5 oz): 118
• Red wine (5 oz): 120
• White wine (5 oz): 120
• Alcohol-free wine (5 oz): 20-30
• Beer (12 oz): 150-198
• Light beer (12 oz): 95-136
• Ultra-light beer (12 oz): 64-95

Mixed Drink & Cocktail Variations with Less Calories

For punches and tropical cocktail options liquor should be limited as well. These recipes often contain sugary mixed options that pack the calories in a small glass. Try to substitute recipes using artificial sweeteners or sugar free syrups to keep the calorie content at a minimum for your next party. Here are some ideas of how liquor calories stack up:

• Wine spritzer (5 oz): 100
• Spiced cider with rum (8 oz): 150
• Screwdriver (8 oz): 190
• Mimosa (4 oz): 75
• Rum and Coke (8 oz): 185
• Rum and Diet Coke (8 oz): 100
• Green apple martini (1 oz each vodka, sour apple, apple juice): 148
• Martini (2.5 oz): 160
• Champagne (5oz): 106-120

Being Safe and Smart About Alcohol Consumption

No matter your drink of choice during the festivities always be safe. Don’t drink and drive (or drink if you are underage) instead have cab fair on hand or a designated driver for safe transportation. Don’t leave your beverage unattended as it could lead you to become a victim of drink spiking. Leaving your drink unguarded could make it susceptible to being mixed with GHB or Rohypnol (roofies) a.k.a. the date rape drug. Better safe than sorry so have a friend watch your drink or simply dump your old drink and order a fresh one. Over consumption of alcohol is hazardous to your health. It can lead to stomach, liver and kidney problems that can be fatal. So drink responsibly and enjoy the party season fun in good health.