5 Lower-Calorie Summer Cocktail Drink Recipes That Won't Mess Up Your Diet
Keep your figure AND your buzz with these Summer drink mixes!
Unsplash They say summer bodies are made in the winter. But if your winter months were anything like mine, you know that there is some catching up to do.
As the opportunities for rooftop wine sipping and sunset office happy hours start to ramp up, so do the anxieties of packing on a few extra pounds of rosé and frozen margaritas.
But never fear! This list of low calorie and high alcohol content mixed drinks will ensure your gym time isn't spoiled by one (or let's be honest— several) trips to the bar.
Diets like Keto, Paleo, and Whole30 have swept the nation as we desperately try to eat our way to a six-pack of abdominal muscles. But the one repeat offender on the "Do Not Consume" list of practically every diet is our beloved friend: alcohol.
With this guide, you'll find it second nature to swap out sugar heavy juices for lower calorie liquid and fresh fruit options.
Simple ingredient swaps like flavored sparkling water instead of Sprite and traditional vodka instead of sweet flavored vodkas make an unbelievable difference in the nutritional macros of a drink. Surprisingly, these changes do wonders for your waistline without severely altering the taste of the drinks.
Beyond a multi-step mixed drink recipe, my insider secret to the low-calorie cocktail trend is water enhancer drops! You can find them at your local grocery store or pharmacy; mix up a vodka soda and add a couple of flavor drops! You can enjoy the taste of a sweet and fruity without the guilt!
For those of us who have the time to wow our friends and family with a healthier alternative to some of our favorite beverages, try out these batch cocktail drink recipes. Your guests can thank you later!
Whether you find yourself hosting a summer barbeque on the back patio with some island music blasting or having a movie night with your girlfriends, in some pajamas with your favorite candles lit, these cocktail recipes are sure to keep the summer vibes flowing!
1. Low Carb Bloody Mary
Credit: Toni Osmundson on Unsplash
Recipe and image by: Thyme&Joy
Host the Saturday brunch to end all Saturday brunches with this savory drink. This recipe yields 4 servings.
Ingredients
- 24 oz Unsweetened Tomato Juice
- 1/4 c Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire
- 1 tbsp Prepared Horseradish
- 1 tsp Tobasco Sauce
- 1 pinch Ground Black Pepper
- 4 oz Vodka
Method
Add all ingredients to a blender or shaker cup. Serve cold and add preferred skewered garnishes (celery, pickled asparagus, pepperoncini, olives, cheese, pickles, bacon, shrimp, etc.).
Nutrition
Per serving: 162 calories, 0g fat, 8g carbohydrates, and 4g protein
2. Cucumber Cooler
Credit: Jenny Pace on Unsplash
Recipe and image by: Minimalist Baker
Cool down the spice from your bloody mary with this cucumber and gin cocktail! This recipe yields 4 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Gin
- 16-24 Cucumber Slices
- 1 Medium Lime (sliced)
- 16 oz Tonic Water
- 24 Mint Leaves
- Optional: 4 tbsp sugar (or sweetener)
Method
Add mint, lime, gin, and sugar (if using) to shaker and muddle. Add cucumber slices to the shaker and shake vigorously. Pour mixture over a glass filled with ice and top with tonic water. Stir, let sit for a few minutes for the flavors to enhance and enjoy.
Nutrition
Per serving: 162 calories, 16mg sodium, 12g carbohydrates, 11.2g sugar
3. Skinny Pineapple Coconut Cocktail
Credit: Olivier Guillard on Unsplash
Recipe and image by: Persnickety Plates
Try this substitute for piña coladas while listening to a Jimmy Buffett tune! This recipe yields 1 serving.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c Coconut Pineapple Sparkling Ice
- 3 oz White Rum
- Splash Triple Sec
- Ice
- Optional: Fresh Pineapple (garnish)
Method
Pour the Coconut Pineapple Sparkling Ice over ice cubes. Add the white rum. Pour in a splash of Triple Sec. Stir to combine & enjoy!
Nutrition
Per serving: 202 calories, 6g carbohydrates, 5g sugar
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4. Blended Raspberry Mojito
Credit: PTMP on Unsplash
Recipe and image by: Food Faith Fitness
Cool down with this frozen alternative to one of the summer's most popular bar requests. This recipe makes 4 servings.
Ingredients
- 3/4 c Fresh Blueberries
- 4 oz White Rum
- 2 oz Water
- 2 c Frozen Raspberries
- 6 c Ice Cubes
- 1/4 c Fresh Mint
- 2-3 tbsp Truvia, to taste (plus more for rimming)
Method
Place the blueberries in a medium bowl and lightly mash them with a muddler. Leave some a bit chunky for texture. Set aside. Combine all remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until icy and smooth. This drink is very thick, so you may need to stop your blender and scrape down the sides every so often. Optional rimming: Pour some lemon juice into a medium-sized, shallow bowl and pour some Truvia into a small, shallow plate. Put the rim of each cup into the lemon juice, followed by the Truvia. Twist the cup around in the Truvia until the outside is rimmed. Repeat with remaining glasses. Pour (or spoon) the mojito into the cups and top with the muddled blueberries.
Nutrition
Per serving: 115 calories, 0.5g fat, 12.3g carbohydrates, 5.7g sugar, 1g protein
5. Low Carb Sparkling White Sangria
Credit: Amanda Vick on Unsplash
Recipe and image by: I Breathe I'm Hungry
Nothing kicks off OR wraps up an afternoon cocktail binge quite like a crisp, fruity sangria! This recipe makes 9 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 c Pureed Fresh or Frozen Peaches
- 1/4 c Torani Sugar-Free Mango Flavored Syrup
- 1/4 c Bourbon
- 1/2 c Vodka
- 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar Substitute
- 1 tbsp Lime Juice
- 24 oz Mandarin Flavored Seltzer Water
Method
Combine all of the ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well. Serve over ice. Garnish with raspberries and/or slices of fresh peach if desired.
Nutrition
Per serving: 50 calories, 0g fat, 1g net carbs, 0g protein
Madison Kerth is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.