Ordering cocktails at a bar can be a fun and delicious experience, but the calories can quickly add up, especially in sugary mixed drinks. The good news is that with some simple strategies, you can enjoy cocktail hour while still keeping your calorie count in check. Here are some tips for ordering low calorie cocktails at a bar or restaurant.
Ask for modifications
One of the easiest ways to lower the calorie count of a cocktail is to ask the bartender to modify it. For example, instead of a pina colada made with heavy cream, ask for it to be made with skim or low fat milk. Request fruit juice instead of sugary simple syrups. Ask for soda water with a splash of juice instead of juice alone. Don’t be shy about asking the bartender to adjust ingredients – most are happy to accommodate requests, especially if it means you’ll come back as a satisfied customer.
Skip the sugar rim
Lots of cocktails are served in glasses with sugared rims, which quickly adds empty calories and carbs. Ask for your margarita or other cocktail to be served without the sugar coating on the glass. You’ll still get the flavor of the tequila or other liquor, without the unnecessary added sweetness.
Watch the mixers
What you mix your liquor with can make a big difference in the calorie count. A vodka soda with lime has around 100 calories, versus 300-400 for a vodka cranberry made with sugary cranberry juice cocktail. Club soda, diet soda, unsweetened iced tea, and water are all low calorie mixers. Stay away from cream-based mixers like cola, tonic water, sweetened juice, or creamy liqueurs which all have more sugar and calories.
Go neat or on the rocks
Skipping mixers altogether is one of the easiest ways to control your cocktail calories. Opt for liquor served “neat” – just poured on its own in a glass, or “on the rocks” – poured over ice. This allows you to sip a cocktail and appreciate the aroma and flavor of quality liquor without added calories. Vodka, tequila, whiskey, and gin all make good low calorie neat/rocks options.
Pick clear liquors
In general, clear liquors like vodka, tequila, gin, and rum tend to have fewer calories than darker liquors like whiskey, bourbon, brandy, and some rums that have added sugars. Check out the calorie counts for different liquor types to choose lower calorie options:
| Liquor (1.5 oz) | Calories |
|---|---|
| Vodka | 96 |
| Gin | 97 |
| Tequila | 97 |
| Light Rum | 97 |
| Whiskey | 105 |
| Bourbon | 105 |
| Brandy | 104 |
Limit fancy garnishes
Garnishes like pickled vegetables, olives, or bacon add flavor, but they can also add unwanted calories. Ask for drinks to be served with a basic garnish like lemon, lime, or cucumber. Or opt to skip the garnish altogether if it’s something fried, creamy, or sugary.
Downsize portions
Many bars serve cocktails in very large glasses, which can hold 2-3 servings of alcohol. Choose a smaller glass size, ask for less mixer, or request your drink be made with single (1 oz) liquor portions instead of doubles (2 oz). This slashes the calories while still letting you enjoy a drink.
Avoid frozen and blended drinks
Large, frozen cocktails like margaritas, daiquiris, and piña coladas taste great, but they are often calorie bombs. All that blended ice cream, juice, and extra liquor can rack up nearly 1000 calories in a single drink! Stick to cocktails served straight up or on the rocks in smaller portions to cut the calories.
Low Calorie Cocktail Recipes to Order
Once you have some general strategies down, let’s look at some specific low calorie cocktail recipes you can order at the bar:
Vodka Soda
Vodka soda is a go-to low calorie cocktail. To make it even lighter, ask for soda water instead of regular tonic, a squeeze of lemon or lime instead of a sugary juice, and skip the vodka if you prefer an alcohol-free option.
Calories: Around 100 per serving
Paloma
A refreshing, fizzy Mexican cocktail made with tequila, grapefruit juice, lime, and soda water. Ask them to go easy on the sugary juice and use diet soda to cut more calories.
Calories: 150-200
Mojito
A minty, Cuban libation that’s perfect for hot summer days. Traditionally made with rum, mint, lime juice, sugar, and soda water. Ask them to use fresh mint instead of sugary syrup and cut back on the rum for a lighter version.
Calories: 150-250
Bloody Mary
Savory tomato juice mixed with vodka and spices like Tabasco, Worcestershire, pepper, and celery salt. Go light on the vodka and ask for low sodium vegetable juice to reduce the salt and calories.
Calories: 100-200
Gin & Tonic
Have them swap regular tonic, which is high in sugar, for diet tonic or soda water. Ask for just a splash of gin and add lime or lemon for a lower cal refreshment.
Calories: 150-200
Whiskey Sour
A tart, citrusy cocktail typically made with whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar. Ask them to use a sugar substitute like stevia to cut the calories. Add some muddled berries for extra flavor.
Calories: 150-250
Manhattan
Traditionally made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Ask for dry vermouth and dial back the whiskey to create a lighter version.
Calories: 150-300
Martini
Have them swap sweet vermouth for dry and use vodka or gin for the lowest calorie martini. Ask for it to be served without the olive garnish to save around 50 calories.
Calories: 150-250
Spritzer
Low alcohol wine mixed with soda water. Choose a light, crisp white wine and ask them to go easy on the portions.
Calories: 100-150
More Tips for Ordering
Here are some additional tips when ordering cocktails:
Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to ask your bartender exactly what’s in a drink and how it’s prepared. They can suggest lower calorie subs or ways to adjust the recipe.
Order virgin drinks
You can order “virgin” versions of any cocktail to skip the alcohol and avoid those calories. A virgin mojito or piña colada can satisfy your craving for a fancy fruity drink without the high calorie cost.
Try small-batch drinks
Some bars offer mini cocktail versions served in smaller glasses with less alcohol and mixer. This allows you to enjoy the flavor without overdoing portions.
Split drinks
If you want a higher calorie cocktail, ask for two glasses and split one drink between friends. You’ll cut the calories in half and get to sample more options.
Skip happy hour
Happy hour drink specials are tempting, but cocktails served at this time are often much larger and stronger. Hold off until after 7pm when the menu returns to regular sizes.
Low Calorie Bartending Tips
If you enjoy whipping up cocktails at home, there are lots of ways to control calories:
Use fresh ingredients
Freshly squeezed citrus juices, muddled fruit, herbs, spices, and other real ingredients add flavor without calories.
Skip sugary mixers
Swap fruit juice, sodas, and prepared mixes for seltzer, unsweetened teas, vegetable juices, and other low calorie options.
Use alternative sweeteners
Stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, and other natural sweeteners allow you to cut sugar while adding sweetness.
Balance strong flavors
Bitters, herbs, peppers, and extracts like vanilla or almond provide flavor intensity without calories.
Infuse liquor
Soak fruit, herbs, spices, or vegetables in vodka or gin for a few days. Strain to naturally infuse flavor.
Make “skinny” versions
Look up recipes for “skinny” cocktails that lighten classic drinks by cutting sugar and alcohol.
Use smaller glasses
Portion control is key. Serve drinks in small rocks glasses or sherry glasses rather than oversized cocktail glasses.
Conclusion
With some simple substitutions and smart strategies, you can enjoy delicious cocktails without sabotaging your healthy lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to ask the bartender to adjust standard recipes. At home, experiment with fresh ingredients and lighter options. Sip mindfully and savor each flavorful, low calorie cocktail. Cheers!