I’m not one to pass up a cocktail, but I also don’t want to consume a ton of sugar or unnecessary calories. I realize that no cocktail is healthy for you, but if you’re going to have a drink or two, you can choose lower calorie options that are still delicious and sometimes even nutritious. Here are 7 low-calorie cocktails (you need to try)!
7 Low-Calorie Cocktails (You Need to Try)
Skinny Pina Colada
The Skinny Pina Colada has nowhere near the fat and calories of a regular Pina Colada because I use coconut water instead of coconut cream and add just a splash of pineapple juice to make it. A little bit of pineapple-seltzer or coconut-seltzer is a great addition as well! This is probably my favorite of the bunch included in these 7 low-calorie cocktails (you need to try)!
White Sangria
I love this recipe for White Sangria and always recommend it to friends. It’s a crowd-pleaser and super easy to make – just toss all of the ingredients into a pitcher and you’re good to go. The recipe makes a huge batch, which is perfect for parties and other summer get-togethers. I typically throw in a bag of frozen berries to keep it nice and cold, but fresh fruit works too! Definitely put this one on your must-make list for summer as one of the 7 low-calorie cocktails (you need to try)!
Low-Cal John Daly
You may remember this cocktail from my recent visit to New York City. Theodora and I mixed Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka with Crystal Light Pure Lemonade and ice. Basically, you just pour 1-2 shots of Sweet Tea Vodka over ice and fill the rest of the glass with lemonade. You can also add a splash of iced tea if you like.
Cotton Candy
When I waitressed on Block Island, I used to drink these Cotton Candy cocktails on the job like it was my job. I haven’t had one in years, but asked the bartender at the Chebeauge Island Inn to make me one last weekend. It tasted just as delicious as I remembered! This cocktail is made with vanilla-flavored vodka and seltzer water with a splash of pineapple juice and a squirt of grenadine. The grenadine is really sweet, so go easy on it at first and then add more if needed.
Creamsicle
If you haven’t heard of Pinnacle Vodka yet, click over to their website and do some exploring. Their vodka flavors and recipes will blow your mind. Apparently, they have a cake-flavored vodka now!? I NEED to try it ASAP! There’s probably a similar Creamsicle recipe on the Pinnacle Vodka website, but here’s how I make mine: pour approximately 1-2 shots of Pinnacle Whipped vodka over ice and then fill the glass with seltzer and a splash of orange juice.
Pomtini
This recipe is an oldie, but goodie! In a shaker, add ice, citrus-flavored vodka and a splash of grapefruit juice and pomegranate juice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Zero Calorie Margarita
Obviously, I didn’t create the SkinnyGirl Margarita, but I just had to include it in this post. It’s really delicious and so much better than drinking that nasty sour mix.
What is your favorite cocktail?
P.S. Just in case you missed it, here are my tips for drinking in moderation and how to have a healthy happy hour!
P.P.S. If you’re tracking macros, check out my FREE “When Macros Get Boozy” guide, which teaches you how to calculate alcohol macros. It also includes an alcohol “cheat sheet” and more low-calorie cocktails! 🙂
This post was originally published on August 4, 2011. It was updated on July 2, 2019 and republished.Â
128 Comments
I like to make margaritas with lime or lemon flavored crystal light, diet sprite, splash of OJ and tequila. (I don’t usually like to use sugar subs/sugar free stuff, but when it shaves 500calories off an alcoholic drink, I’m all for it!)
Oh this post is absolutely bookmarked! I need a good drink about right now! I’ve been enjoying kahlua with unsweetened almond milk…it is so good! Kinda like a grown up milk shake!
These cocktails rock! I totally can’t wait to try some of these!
You. Are. Awesome! I can’t wait to have people over and impress them with all these low-cal drinks! YUM. Thanks so much for posting the recipes.
Great post Tina! Cocktail don’t have to be so calorie laden! I make ‘skinny’ lime daiquiries alllll the time, just white rum, lime juice, trivia, and ice! So refreshing and not full of sugar 🙂
One of my fav posts!
Oh, I’m so excited for the weekend, now!
Ahhh I can’t wait to try these!!
So I just saw vinny from jersey shore on tv wearing a pugs not drugs shirt!!! I thought of you right away!
Mojitos and Sangria!
I posted my favorite lower calorie sangria recipe (from HG) last month and I am still working on the mojito!
Cake flavored vodka? Goodness, what will they think up next haha…
Both the creamsicle and cotton candy cocktail are totally up my alley! And I need to get my hands on some cake batter vodka!!
I love cocktails, especially in the summer! Can’t wait to try them 🙂
I like mojitos, cosmos and daiquiris!
These are all good ideas! I am a HUGE fan of a margarita! I’ll have to try the skinny version next time We bust out the blender 🙂
Those all look pretty and yummy…I am most excited to try white sangria 🙂
JUst a correction- for the Skinny Girl Margarita, you have a splash of orange liquor, and then, a splash of Grand Mariner or Triple Sec. Those are both orange liquors, so they are the only thing you need.
This post has been bookmarked 🙂 Thanks Tina!
Oh my gosh, I love the Pinnacle Whipped Cream vodka. My friends and I drink that with sparkling orange water and an orange slice. It was delicious and tastes very light.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – The Skinny Pina Colada drink is THE BOMB!!! Great job on that cocktail! xoxo
I can’t wait to try the cotton candy! Thanks for sharing!
I play it safe and usually stick with wine. 1/2 bottle is about 350 calories, which is still less than a lot of the mixed cocktails. My hubby loves pineapple flavored drinks so I’ll have to try your skinny pina colada recipe.
The cotton candy sounds awesome! Love Pinnacle vodka… Thanks for sharing!
not too crazy about fruit flavored drinks. But skinny girl margarita – really you can just buy the bottle, and it is sooooo good! and STRONG!
Yum! Love cocktails! I’m excited to try the new Skinnygirl Sangria! I know some friends have seen it in NYC, but I’ve yet to track it down yet.
Belvedere makes an amazing Pink Grapefruit vodka that you need to try. Just add a splash of club soda and you have an awesome, lo-cal drink.
I if I drank alcohol I would prob try the cotton candy one!
i tried your recipe for the skinny girl pina colada last weekend and it BLEW MY MIND!! this is DEFINITELY my summer go to drink! my fiance is always making fun of me because i never know what i want to drink, but now im all set! thanks for the great recipes!!
This makes me want a drink–and it isn’t even 9 AM!
Check out my most recent post for a low calorie (that’s right, 30 calories!) party punch. I haven’t tried it with alcohol, but I’m sure it would be fantastic!
These cocktails look delicious! I have saved all of them to try! 🙂
perfect post for the weekend!!! I’ve been stuck in a rum + diet coke rut for a while now… time to branch out 🙂 THANKS!
Love this post!! Thanks for sharing these Tina 🙂 Makes me want a cocktail right now..and it’s 9:30am…it’s 5 ‘o clock somewhere, right?! 😉
These are some GREAT ideas, thanks! The cotton candy one sounds great… and I can’t wait to try those crazy Pinnacle flavors!
Yummy! I’m going to have to try one of these this weekend 🙂 thanks for the recipes!
Have you tried Ciroc coconut vodka? Another great way to make a Skinny Pina Colada: coconut vodka + soda water + splash of pineapple = 🙂 OR coconut water instead of soda water… mmmm!
These all look fabulous! I know it’s “old lady” of me, but I love a good dirty gin martini, with bleu cheese stuffed olives. Always leaves me purring.
Carly
Flavored liquors typically have 110 calories.. as opposed to the 60 for non-flavored. So if you put 2 shots in a drink + low-cal mixers the drink is still probably up to 250 calories!
I still haven’t tried the SkinnyGirl margarita which is a shame because I heart Bethanny Frankel. I need to try that recipe! (Or buy a bottle).
you should try the Whipped Cream Vodka with Diet Root Beer- HOLY ROOT BEER FLOAT!! (but be careful they go down too easy!)
mmmm these sound good! for some reason though i always feel wierd ordering fancy drinks at bars.. i usually stick to vodka tonic!
good thing is.. since im so active and eat so healthy, there isnt much time left for drinking.. so im a super lightweight now!
I make a blended watermelon mint margarita thats 125 cals, so I ADORE that one. I haven’t tried the whipped vodka because I didn’t know what to make with it, NOW I have a recipe. YAYYYY!
I LOVE these ideas! I will be making one (or three) asap…
my favorite go-to drink is just bacardi, diet coke, and lime, but recently i’ve been buying the crystal light lime margarita drink mix, and combining that with a flavored vodka, a splash of club soda, and a few pieces of frozen fruit….soooo good!!
Mm thanks for sharing! These look great.
GOD nowi want a drink! At my desk!!
Ugh 3.5 hours until I can make one of these 🙂
That Cotton Candy Cocktail sounds scrumptious!!! It’s on my to-make-this-summer list. It might not wait past this weekend. 😉
Great post! I think I may have to give these all a try 😉
Thanks for sharing!! They all sound really good and I have a feeling I’ll be giving them a try soon. However, I’ve already had the Skinny Piña Colada. When you first mentioned it, I literally ran out and bought the 3 ingredients, it sounded way too good and I just had to try it…. (it was also the first time that I have ever had coconut water, which is delicous!!
The Skinny Piña Colada is amazing and has become a regular around here. 🙂
I generally just drink wine. Or light juice or diet pop with liquor. I guess I’m not very creative! I’ve heard that the creamsicle drink can be made with the cake vodka and sunkist or some other orange flavored pop, so you could mix it w/ diet sunkist. I’ll have to visit our local liquor store soon to find some!
I tried out the Cotton Candy, I’m actually going add this to my blog today 🙂
the BF and I were just talking about how we need to make sangria! can’t wait to trick him into the yummy low cal stuff 🙂