Low Calorie Cocktails: 20 Of The Best

In modern times, more and more people are eating better and trying to take care of their physical and mental wellbeing through diet and exercise. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to forgo the good things in life. Thanks to the internet, there are countless recipes for low calorie cocktails that can be consumed guilt-free for a little end of the week treat. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Skinny Grapefruit Margarita

The very nature of margaritas makes them one of the lowest calorie cocktails around, and thanks to the light, citrus infused ingredients, they also happen to be one of the most delicious and refreshing. 

This skinny grapefruit recipe sticks to low calorie ingredients, forgoing the usual sugar laden approach, instead opting for natural sugars found in the grapefruit juice, lime juice, and the lime garnish. 

2. Kombucha Margarita

While many of you might have heard the word ‘kombucha’ in passing, many people don’t know the calorie benefits of this fermented, sweetened, black tea drink from China. 

This kombucha margarita takes the classic tequila, adds triple sec (or cointreau), and adds fresh lime juice, before adding the kombucha itself to create a tangy, fizzy margarita that is low in calories and rich in flavor.

3. Sparkling Blueberry Mojito

Mojitos are naturally light and low calorie, thanks to the consistency of the ingredients that go into it.

With limes, fresh mint, fresh blueberries, sparkling water, and white rum, this is a light, low calorie way to beat the summer heat, and celebrate with friends and family. 

Options include serving with sweeteners for a (somewhat) healthier source of sugar, as well as additional blueberries, lime wedges, and fresh mint for a delicious edible garnish. 

4. Skinny Hot Buttered Rum

On the face of it, the words ‘hot buttered rum’ might not sound especially healthy, however when talking about nutrition, it is important to consider the difference between good and bad fats. 

Natural butter is a healthier fat than most (particularly the saturated kind), and this recipe contains around half the amount found in a traditional buttered rum.

What’s more, this recipe also contains no granulated sugar, relying on low calorie sweeteners, and the natural sugars found within the cinnamon and ginger. 

This really is the perfect winter warmer, and can be a great treat to share with family and friends while bringing in the festive season. 

5. Skinny Key Lime Pie Cocktail

While the traditional version of this cocktail is anything but low calorie, this skinny version takes the flavors and feel of the original and turns them into something delicious and guilt free. 

The trick to this drink is whipped cream flavored vodka.

This recreates the taste of the pouring cream that would usually be applied, and when combined with key lime juice, lime flavored sparkling water, and fresh sliced limes, this really does taste like the much loved American dessert. 

Perfect all year round, this is a refreshing take on a classic. 

6. Strawberry Mojito

There is a reason that the mojito is such a popular cocktail, and it is not just down to the refreshing taste.

The low calorie nature of mojitos make them a great choice for those who are looking to enjoy themselves while avoiding any unwanted pounds, and the strawberry flavor gives this a great, delicious summertime feel that will leave you wanting more. 

All in all these just look so light and attractive, with the subtle pink blush of the coloring offering an inviting taste of summer fun.

Be sure to use fresh ingredients, such as mint, to really get the best out of this drink. You won’t regret it!

7. Low Calorie Whiskey Sour

The whiskey sour is a classic New York cocktail, and one that is constantly associated with decadent roaring twenties, F Scott Fitzgerald, and The Great Gatsby. But can something so sophisticated and indulgent really be healthy? 

The answer is a resounding yes! Thanks to this low calorie recipe, the whiskey sour is now firmly within the grasp of those seeking to enjoy a classic whiskey cocktail without suffering the calorific side effects. 

8. Vodka Soda

The vodka soda is a classic, light cocktail, with minimal ingredients and no unseen calories.

Vodka is famously a low calorie spirit, and soda water can be a great way of adding a little fizz and excitement to this classic drink while remaining healthy and refreshing. 

Ultimately, when it comes to keeping calories down, the best thing to shoot for is having the least ingredients possible.

Luckily, this drink does that in spades, and boasts a timeless minimalism that tastes great, feels light and refreshing, and has that air of sophistication that makes it right at home in any environment. 

9. Tequila With Lime

A famously low calorie spirit, tequila is also a great beverage for pairing, and can be enjoyed with countless combinations of fruit juices, other spirits, and cocktail making ingredients.

This means that you can really go as complicated or simplistic as you want. 

This recipe opts for the latter, taking a simple, high quality tequila, and combining it with lime juice to create a tangy, sour, but refreshing summer cocktail that is perfect for beating the heat, and keeping those unwanted calories at bay. 

Switch for limeade for that extra bit of fizz and excitement, and serve over ice for a refreshing slice of summer. 

10. The Paloma

The Paloma is another famous tequila cocktail, developed and celebrated throughout Mexico and South America for its fantastically refreshing taste, and attractive pink hue. 

Thanks to the low calorie content of tequila, the Paloma is also one of the more healthier cocktails, especially when combined with natural fruit juices, no added sugars, and sea salt, this is a great way to beat the summer heat with friends, or for a refreshing way to consume 

tequila guilt-free. 

11. The Gimlet

A standard amongst mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts alike, the Gimlet is an elegant gin cocktail with a long and illustrious history in the industry. 

What’s more, this low calorie recipe takes this elegance and mystique and delivers it in a great tasting, healthy package, meaning you can enjoy a little decadence and indulgence without too many unwanted pounds. 

12. Martini 

A classically light cocktail, the martini is the epitome of elegance and style, enjoyed by millions around the world for its fresh taste, light body, and simplistic construction. 

Once again, what really makes this cocktail effective for keeping down the calories is the fact that it has limited ingredients, with gin, vermouth, ice cubes, and green olives for garnish. 

Why not enjoy a low calorie cocktail in style with this guilt-free concoction? 

13. Old Fashioned

A notoriously simplistic cocktail, the Old Fashioned has an attractive, brooding energy right out of a black and white, Humphrey Bogart film noir. 

What’s more, the simplistic nature of this drink, and the few ingredients therein, means that it is incredibly easy to keep the calorie count low, and still enjoy a classic cocktail with all the stylishness and mystique of classic Hollywood. 

14. Gin & Tonic

Like the vodka soda, the gin & tonic is a classical cocktail that is simple, timeless, and most importantly, low calorie. 

Using a diet tonic water, gin, and garnishing with cucumber and rosewater, this can be a great way to stay refreshed, look the part, and enjoy a barroom staple without worrying about your waistline. 

15. Rum & Diet Cola

While the sugar content in dark rum (especially in excess) can certainly be detrimental to your calorie intake, pairing it with a diet cola, and serving with ice and fresh lime wedges can be a great way to enjoy a cool, tasty beverage without worrying too much about the calories. 

Once again, it is the minimalism that works in your favor here, and this classic combination has the benefit of being entirely delicious without any needless added ingredients. 

16. Moscow Mule

The vodka cocktail is a classic amongst mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts alike, and is known for its light body, minimalist design, and refreshing taste. 

The trick to making this low calorie equivalent is to forgo the sugar, opting instead for fresh ginger, lime juice, sweetener based syrups, and diet ginger ale to create a drink that is not only incredibly refreshing and delicious, but is also good for your calorie intake. 

17. Bloody Mary

A classic breakfast cocktail, and purported hangover ‘cure’, the Bloody Mary has a long history in the cocktail industry, with a vegetable heavy ingredients list, fresh seasoning, and a vodka base that offers great taste, refreshment, and a low calorie count. 

A great way to make this even lighter is to replace the traditional vodka for tequila, which is lower in calories, and pairs equally as well with the classic ingredients. 

18. Grapefruit Gin Fizz

The grapefruit gin fizz is a great way to enjoy a light, refreshing cocktail without consuming too many calories. 

This drink relies on the natural sugars of the grapefruit juice, tonic water, and rosemary, to create a flavor palette that doesn’t require any of the added sugars that do more harm to your waistline than anything else. 

19. White Wine Spritzer

Once again, it is the minimalism of this drink that keeps the calories down, as well as the fact that white wine is much lower than its red counterparts. 

This spritzer takes white wine and combines it with lashings of club soda to make a refreshing, simple cocktail that has all the elegance and flavor one could ever want. 

20. Keto Peach Bourbon Smash

Last on our list, but by no means least, this peach bourbon smash is keto, which means it is low on carbohydrates (and thus lower in bad calories). 

Taking bourbon, low calorie peach syrup, fresh lemons, and mint leaves, this cocktail offers a multitude of flavors in a minimalistic, low calorie package. 

Final Thoughts

And there we have it, our rundown of the best 20 low calorie cocktail recipes on the market. 

One thing that stands out is just how much choice there is nowadays, whether you are seeking to lose weight, keep the calorie count down, or stay healthy, there are numerous ways you can still enjoy the good things in life and still see the benefits. 

Why not try some for yourself? Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!