FYI: Eggnog is liquid ice cream, literally. And many Frozen Margaritas have the equivalent number of calories as a slice of cheesecake. Red Lobster’s infamously high-calorie Lobsterita has almost 900 calories! Therefore, how can we have a cocktail (or two) without ingesting a weeks’ worth of carbs in the process? Here is my list of 15 low-calorie cocktails under 200 calories that will help you make better decisions when ordering at the restaurant, bar, or when making cocktails at home.
But first, here is a bold opinion for you: The Skinny Margarita and cocktails made with artificial sweeteners suck. Luckily it is possible to have a low-calorie cocktail that doesn’t use weird sweeteners. Personally, I can’t stand the flavor or aftertaste of artificial sweeteners. None of the cocktails listed below use them.
That being said, if you’re like me and watching your calorie intake, you might want to bookmark this page for future reference.
Here are some of my favorite low-calorie cocktails.
- The Michelada con Tequila. With only 124-calories, this is the lowest calorie cocktail on my blog. It is the Mexican version of the Bloody Mary and is a great substitute for the Frozen Margarita when dining out at your favorite Mexican restaurant.
- West Texas Ranch Water. Another low-calorie Tequila cocktail with only 141-calories. a 3-ingredient cowboy thirst quencher born in the miserably hot, dry dusty summers of West Texas. Topo Chico mineral water, lime juice, and tequila are all you need for this low-calorie favorite of house parties and dive bars.
- Classic Champagne Cocktail. With only 144-calories, this low-calorie classic is nice for a celebration or special occasion. It’s also a good way to use a lesser quality Champagne, never use the good stuff as a mixer! This cocktail dates back to the mid-1800s and is truly a classic. Champagne, Cognac, a sugar cube, and bitters.
- The Hanky Panky. Tied for the number 3 spot for low calories. This gin cocktail only has 144-calories and has a great history behind its origin. Originating around 1925 at the Savoy hotel in London, it is a play on the Sweet Martini.
- Japanese Dirty Martini. Japan has some great gin distilleries, and this low-calorie cocktail makes the most out of it. A Dirty Martini using pickled ginger liquid rather than olive brine. It’s a great twist on the classic and the best part is it only has 152-calories.
- White Sangria with Grand Marnier. This Sangria only has 152-calories and is as pretty as a picture! Made with a sauvignon blanc, mangos, raspberries, blood oranges, and plums. Cold and refreshing, this fruity cocktail is one of my favorite summer thirst quenchers. White Sangria has just the right amount of fizz from the Topo Chico mineral water and a nice orange kick from the Grand Marnier.
- Gin and Galliano Sour. This cocktail has a beautiful color and an amazing mild anise flavor. With only 172-calories, this is one of my regulars and a favorite low-calorie cocktail.
- The BLT, Bourbon, lemon, and tonic water. Fun name, right? The BLT, a combo of Bourbon, Lemon, and Tonic Water is an easy to drink summer whiskey and tonic cocktail. With the slightly bitter flavor of Tonic Water and the smokiness of Bourbon, mixed with just a hint of lemon and optional simple syrup. At only 172-calories it’s a great low-calorie cocktail choice.
Halfway Thought the List of Low-Calorie Cocktails!
- The TNT, Tequila, and tonic. A great alternative to the Margarita, with only 173-calories. I like to salt the rim of the glass and serve it with lime wedges.
- The Dirty Martini. Cloudy and slightly salty, The Dirty Martini originated in New York City and dates back to the year 1901. Bartender John O’Conner created the original Dirty Martini by adding a splash of olive brine to the classic Gin Martini and the rest is history. However, this one is borderline as far as low-calorie cocktails go. Simply because I love olives with my Martini. Therefore, depending on how many olives you consume, this may not be the skinny cocktail you were hoping for. But at only 175-calories, it’s a good start.
- Bourbon Honey Lemonade. So, refreshing and easy to drink, this doesn’t taste like a skinny cocktail. I was shocked when I put this cocktail in the computer to get the calorie count. 177-calories for a Bourbon lemonade?!? Awesome! Nothing like the sweetness of honey and the tart lemon to compliment the smoky ice-cold Bourbon. The only thing that Bourbon likes better than lemon and honey, is bitters. I add a splash of tonic water to the whiskey to add bubbles and to give a hint of bitter flavor to this refreshing cocktail
- Blood Orange Old Fashioned. Gorgeous color and flavor. Blood oranges and Bourbon are a great combination. Just sweet enough not to overwhelm the flavor of the whiskey. This low-calorie cocktail comes in at just 182-calories.
- Topo Chico Mojito. The Mojito is literally a pirate drink and has an amazing history. A refreshing low-calorie summer cocktail with the flavors of the Caribbean. Mint, lime juice, sugar cane, and rum, originally a cure for an upset stomach aboard pirate ships. The only thing missing from the original Mojito is the magical mineral waters of Topo Chico. A delicious low-calorie alternative to the classic Mojito, my version of this cocktail has only 183-calories.
- Absinthe and Tonic. It has a cloudy, spooky look to it, with a pretty pink blush. Absinthe, sweetened with a little maraschino cherry syrup, sour with a whisper of lime juice, and bitter with sparkling tonic water. A 184-calorie cocktail with an amazing anise flavor that is as delicious as it is beautiful.
- Blood Orange Gin and Tonic. Another beautiful cocktail thanks to the brilliant color of the blood oranges. Although this is number 15 on the list of low-calorie cocktails, it has only 185-calories and is one of my favorite gin and tonic variations.
Olley Thompson
I’ll have one of each, especially the one full of fruit. I’m going to try that one for me