The Holidays are coming, the Holidays are coming … and with that means parties and alcohol and party snacks and more alcohol and more snacks!! Sounds exciting, right? Well no, no it doesn’t. You know how many women (and men) are on diets during the holidays? Lots. Enter the Low-Cal Cocktails!
Most of the things I mentioned above are real diet killers.
So it’s a good thing I’m not on a diet, eh? Because I really love parties and alcohol and snacks …
But even still, I am on a quest to maintain all the ground I’ve gained in the last few months after this … my weight loss, my huge gain in energy, the formation of lean muscle, feeling great, etc.
I don’t want to wreck it all in one month!!
But, I love to have fun. I don’t want to be that girl who can never go out to eat with her friends, or can’t have a few cocktails at a party, ya know? It’s such a conundrum, no?
I don’t know about you, but I can easily stay away from snacks and stuff at parties. I have a hard time looking good while eating, so I never really graze at the food island.
What I do do is refill my cup with refreshments. I’m an Irish Catholic, so I’m entitled, it’s in my blood, it’s genetic, it’s expected. The problem is that a couple cocktails add up in the calorie department. So I’ve been doing my research.
I learned from my sister from another mister (and mother, so not really a sister, but I love her, you get the point) that Vodka and Soda was her drink of choice with about 96 calories and zero carbs!
That got me to thinking. I don’t need all that fruity syrup and stuff, it really only takes away from like, the liquor, and adds unneeded calories in the process, so what else is out there that I could enjoy but that is also considered a Low-Cal Cocktail? And are they still tasty? Oh tons, friends! Tons!
I ventured out onto the Internet and I admit I did some taste testing, because I’m all about honesty and I don’t want to steer you all wrong on anything. If I say something is good, it’s good, k? So, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite Low-Cal Cocktails.
Get ready to save this beauty of a blog to keep you on the straight and skinny during the holiday season, and beyond, without really sacrificing at all.
Table of Contents
Skinny Moscow Mule (Yum)
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 6 oz diet ginger beer
- ¼ fresh lime
- Fresh mint
- Pinch fresh shredded ginger
My drink of choice tonight, actually. Add vodka, freshly shredded ginger, mint and lime juice and stir. Add ice, top with ginger beer, garnish with fresh lime and serve! 98 Calories, Zero Carbs
Champagne
I was so happy to learn this was going to be on the top of my list as I love love love good champagne, well, and cheap champagne too! I love it all. The best news? One 4 oz flute is a mere 90 calories. And if you want to dress it up a bit, check this recipe for Coconut Water Champagne Punch for a mere 132 calories.
- ½ cup coconut water
- ⅓ cup champagne
- ⅛ cup orange juice (or pineapple, apple, grape, etc)
- 1 cup of fruit as garnish
- Splash grenadine
Michelob Ultra
I know, I know, not exactly a cocktail, but I have quite a few friends who love their beer, so I had to add this little beauty! Party on! 95 Calories, 2.6 g Carbs
Sea Breeze
This is my go-to drink when nothing else sounds good. At 180 calories, it’s pushing the limits, but it’s got grapefruit juice and cranberry juice and vodka!! Anytime I can add juice to alcohol and not break the calorie bank, I feel like I’m winning!
- 4 oz grapefruit juice
- 1.5 ozs cranberry juice
- 1 oz of vodka
- Lime
Mix and serve over ice! Yum!
Sparking Fruit Sangria
I absolutely love everything about this drink. It’s beyond delish! Sangria is my favorite indulgence, but never thought to add champagne to the mix … you must try this!!
- 1 Orange, sliced thin
- ½ Lemon, sliced thin
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 10+ Large Strawberries, sliced thin
- 1 cup OJ
- 1 bottle (750 ml) wine (like Riesling)
- 1 bottle (750 ml) fav champagne
Place all fruit and orange juice in a large pitcher or bowl, add wine and allow to sit in the refrigerator for 3 – 24 hours (super important step right there!). Immediately before serving, add champagne. 131 Calories
Skinny Arnold Palmer
I love ½ and ½’s!! I always thought an Arnold Palmer had alcohol in it and when I gound out it didn’t well, I set out to find a great recipe! Now Firefly Vodka isn’t wildly easy to find, I don’t know why that is, because it’s awesome and if you don’t find it in your Liquor Store, request that they stock it!! It’s amazing!! I also love this recipe bc it’s crazy simple!!
- 1 Shot Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
- Sugar-free lemonade
- Lemon
Fill 1 glass with ice, pour 1 shot of Firefly Vodka, add light lemonade and garnish with lemon! 70 Calorie
Weight Watchers Mojito Recipe
What is it with Mojito’s? They are all the rage amongst my luxe loving friends, so I had to give it a shot, I had to try one, you know, for y’all, for the team and I wasn’t disappointed!! Loved it. Try this skinny recipe …
- 1.5 oz Rum
- Fresh spearmint leaves
- ½ lime
- 7 ozs lemon lime soda
- 2 tbsp Splenda
Add it all together with some ice and stir well! Garnish with lime and some sprigs of mint! 2 Measly Points on WW.
Summertime Skinny Girl Pomegranate Margarita
Oooooh La La, if you know me you know I love pink, so this drink is just the thing I need to make me feel all giddy inside!!
- 1 ½ ozs of Tequila
- Splash of Cointreau
- 1 lime
- ½ lemon
- Splash of Pom Juice
- Splash of Zero Cal Margarita Mix (like Refine)
- Splash soda water
- Pink sugar for garnish
Mix all the ingredients together for 30 seconds and pour over ice! Ready for this: 100 Calories
Cherry Bomb
This drink is my kind of drink because you can’t even taste the alcohol. It’s also a little dangerous because it’s super yummy and it’s easy to have too much. If that’s possible!
- 2 cups (16 oz) 100% pomegranate juice
- 1/4 cup zero cal sweetner
- the juice of one blood orange (substitution can be the juice of a small lemon)
- 1/2 oz grenadine
- 1/2 oz limeade vodka
- 1 tsp maraschino cherry juice
- 4 oz low calorie lemon-lime soda (7UP TEN or Sprite Zero)
- crushed ice
- maraschino cherries to garnish
Squeeze the juice from one blood orange and set aside. Combine pomegranate juice and sugar substitute over a medium fire. Add the blood orange juice and stir. Keep stirring occasionally. Allow to come to a rolling boil and then let it continue to boil for an additional 4-5 minutes. When stirring check the consistency and as it starts feel a bit thicker, remove from heat. Store in a glass bottle in the fridge. In a glass pour the grenadine on the bottom. Add the crushed ice. Then, slowly add the vodka. Next slowly add the soda for a layered look. Garnish with cherries on a toothpick.
Red Bull and Vodka
This is my drink of choice when I go out dancing with all our friends. It’s a fun drink, it’s easy, I don’t have to think to order and it’s so low cal, it isn’t even funny! It’s also really easy and I love easy.
- ½ glass Sugar Free Red Bull
- ½ glass with Vodka
Serve over ice.
