Low Calorie Cocktails

published on Jul 22, 2024

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5 from 44 votes

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Each of these low calorie cocktail recipes clocks in at under 100 calories each and tastes JUST like the classics! With six unique cocktails, they’re ready in seconds!

Need more healthy cocktail recipes? Try my keto margarita, keto mojito, and almond milk eggnog next.

I hate missing out on all the fun, but not as much as I hate all the liquid calories from my favorite cocktails.

So, as a compromise, I’ve re-created my five favorite libations to give them a low calorie makeover, though you’d never guess by how refreshing they taste.

What is the best alcohol to drink for weight loss?

Spirits such as tequila, gin, vodka, and rum will have the lowest calories. Each standard drink, or 1.5 oz fluid serving, has around 95 calories. However, when used in cocktails or mixed drinks, they can be quite the calorie bombs.

Table of Contents

Tips for picking low calorie cocktails
Ingredients needed
How to make a low calorie cocktail
Cocktail variations
Arman’s recipe tips
Frequently asked questions
More low calorie favorites
Low Calorie Cocktails (Under 100 Calories!) (Recipe Card)

Tips for picking low calorie cocktails

I’m a big ‘everything in moderation’ guy, but with that said, it doesn’t hurt to have a few low-calorie options on hand to avoid unnecessary sugar and carbs. Here are some tips for looking for low-cal cocktails:

Know what to avoid. Beer and wine can be very high-calorie, but so can all the sneaky sugars, syrups, and fruit juices found in your everyday cocktail.
Look for low-calorie mix-ins. Pure lime juice, lemon juice, bitters, or sugar-free syrups can add plenty of flavor with little to zero calories.
Add a little sparkle. Soda water doesn’t technically add flavor, but it does make any drink feel a bit more festive. Alternatively, champagne is surprisingly low-cal, at just 95 calories per glass!

Ingredients needed

Alcohol. Again, I recommend using liquors like vodka, tequila, rum, or gin.
Sugar syrup substitute or sweetener. The secret ingredient to keeping the calories low but flavor high. Homemade sugar-free simple syrup (or sugar-free maple syrup) adds sweetness to every cocktail, minus the calories!
Liquid. Like soda water, diet soda, or diet cranberry juice, for example.
Mix-ins. Think sliced fruit, flavor extracts, or sugar-free whipped cream.

How to make a low calorie cocktail

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Combine ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.

Step 2- Serve. Pour into the appropriate glass and serve immediately.

Cocktail variations

Long Island iced tea. ¾ ounce vodka, ¾ ounce white rum, ¾ ounce tequila, ¾ ounce gin, 1 teaspoon orange extract, 1 tablespoon sugar-free simple syrup, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and ¼ cup diet coke.
Espresso martini. 2 ounces vodka, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 ½ ounces cold brew or espresso, and ½ ounce sugar-free simple syrup.
Margarita. 1 ½ ounces tequila, ¾ ounce fresh lime juice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon sugar-free maple syrup, and ¼ cup club soda.
Mojito. 1 ½ ounces rum, ½ ounce sugar-free simple syrup, ¾ ounce lime juice, ¼ cup club soda, and 3 mint leaves to muddle.
Gin and tonic. 1 ½ ounces gin, 4 ounces diet tonic water, and 1 lemon wedge to serve.
Moscow mule. 1 ½ ounces vodka, 4 ounces diet ginger beer, ½ ounce lemon juice, and 1 lime wedge to serve.

Arman’s recipe tips

Switch up the liquors. I love traditional cocktails, but to keep things interesting, I enjoy switching up the liquors. You haven’t lived until you’ve had an espresso martini with whiskey!
Make drink mixes. When I’m hosting, I love to make a big batch of cocktails for easy serving. Just hold off on adding soda water, soda, or garnishes until you’re ready to serve.
Don’t forget the garnish. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
Serve with a rim. Brush the edges of the glass with water and dip it in sweetener, salt, or tajin, whatever seems fitting for the drink!

Frequently asked questions

What are some low calorie cocktails to order at the bar?

If you’re not sure what to order at the bar, I recommend sticking with liquor and soda water, like vodka sodas, for example. Alternatively, light beers and champagne are generally lower-calorie, in the 95-125 range.

Which is the healthiest cocktail?

There’s not really a ‘healthy cocktail,’ but some will be healthier than others. For example, a Bloody Mary is not really low in calories, but it does offer vitamin A and potassium from tomato juice, while dry red wine has been shown to contain heart-healthy antioxidants (source).

More low calorie favorites

Originally published December 2021, updated and republished July 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.