Whether you’re looking for a beverage that won’t make you feel too full or one you can enjoy more of, we’ve got you covered with the lowest-calorie alcohol drinks. One serving of alcohol contains anywhere from 100 to 300 calories, so having a drink with dinner might blow your diet for the day.
Cocktails are high in calories because the mixers contain sugar — this is what gives them a great taste, but it’s not worth the indulgence. Don’t think sipping a beer will make much difference, though. Depending on the style of beer, you’re drinking the equivalent of a slice of pizza. Pairing a beer or two with pizza increases your calorie intake exponentially.
This list of low-calorie drinks will keep you on track for your health goals while still helping you relax after a long day. Consider reaching for a lighter beverage, such as:
Here is a quick recap of our selection of 15 lowest-calorie alcohols:
- Light Beer
- Amaro Liqueur
- Vodka Soda
- Hard Seltzer
- White Wine
- Whisky
- Rumand Diet Coke
- Bloody Maria
- Dry Cider
- Prosecco
- Champagne
- Skinny Margarita
- Dry Sherry
- Gin and Diet Tonic
- Vodka Shots
Read on to discover what drink to go for the next time you’re at a party!
The 15 Lowest Calorie Alcohols
Diet foods stereotypically have no flavor and make you feel like you’re eating cardboard. If you’re counting on an alcoholic beverage to help you unwind, you don’t want something tasteless that doesn’t give you a buzz.
We compiled a list of the lowest-calorie alcohols that still make a great-tasting drink.
15. Light Beer – 80-100 Calories per 330 ml
Next time you are tailgating or enjoying a summer BBQ, opt for a light beer. Generally, light beers mean a lower alcohol content which means lower calories.
Miller Light, known as the original light beer, is affordable and widely available in the U.S. This beer has just 96 calories per bottle, making it a great option if you’re trying to stay under 100 calories.
Another option for light beer is Heineken Light. Coming in at 90 calories per bottle, this is another great option for a low-calorie beer. This smooth beer has a well-balanced taste and a crisp finish.
14. Amaro Liqueur – 97 Calories per 50 ml
This herbal, Italian liqueur is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it can be a good option if you are looking for a drink under 100 calories. Commonly used as an after-meal digestive aid, this group of liquor is bittersweet.
This alcohol is made by adding herbs, flowers, and other natural elements to age together with the alcohol.
Jägermeister, Campari, Amer Picon, and Fernet are all considered part of the Amaro Liqueur family.
13. Vodka Soda – 133 Calories per 225 ml
This classic drink is as simple as the name suggests. To make this drink, combine your favorite vodka with unflavored club soda. This simple, low-calorie drink is easily elevated with a splash of lemon or lime. Or, if you prefer, add your favorite fruit to take your drink to the next level!
Instead of club soda, some people prefer to make this drink with flavored sparkling water.
12. Hard Seltzer – 99 Calories per 355 ml
To continue on the fruity train, we can’t forget about hard seltzers. These drinks typically come in a wide array of fun, fruity flavors. Think everything from passion fruit to blueberry.
Typically, seltzers are made from fruit flavorings, brewed cane sugar, and sometimes fruit juice and soda water.
In the US, White Claw is a popular choice for hard seltzers.
11. White Wine – 123 Calories per 150 ml
White wines typically have a lower alcohol content than reds, making them a great choice if you are looking to keep calories to a minimum.
Next time you find yourself browsing the wine menu at your favorite restaurant, choose a nice Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, or a Sauvignon Blanc.
10. Whisky – 110 Calories per 100 ml
Whisky is a very popular, low-calorie option. Second only to vodka in the calorie department, you can drink up knowing this is a great option if you are watching your weight.
Popular whisky brands include Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, and Fireball Cinnamon.
9. Rum and Diet Coke – 135 Calories per 225 ml
A regular Coke has about 140 calories in a 12-oz. can. Diet Coke, on the other hand, has no calories at all. This would be a perfect addition to a glass of rum. So, try mixing your favorite white rum with your favorite diet cola!
Coke zero is another popular low-calorie option.
8. Bloody Maria – 97 Calories per 200 ml
Think of a Bloody Maria as Bloody Mary’s lower-calorie cousin. This refreshing drink is made from–you guessed it–tomato juice, Mezcal, cucumber juice, and whatever spices you prefer.
Next time you are out for brunch and your friends are ordering Bloody Mary’s, step out on a limb and try a Bloody Maria!
7. Dry Cider – 113 Calories per 225 ml
Cider is made from the fermentation process of fruit, usually apples. Dry cider is a great way to embrace the fall season without the excess calories that you’ll probably be getting from Halloween candy anyway.
Look for light dry cider options for even lower calories!
6. Prosecco – 89 Calories per 125 ml
Prosecco is a sparkling white wine from Italy. Since this is a white wine, we already know it has fewer calories than your average red vino.
If you prefer a little bubble with your dinner, opt for a Prosecco!
5. Champagne – 89 Calories per 125 ml
If we are talking about bubbles, we can’t forget about Champagne. This low-calorie alcoholic beverage is something worth celebrating!
Congratulate yourself on picking a drink under the 100 calorie mark and drink up!
4. Skinny Margarita – 112 Calories per 88 ml
The next time you order a margarita with your Mexican food, make it a skinny one! Omit any syrup and opt for fresh lime juice instead.
Most margaritas are made with fruit syrup that is not only high in sugar but one that is also high in calories. Cut down the calories by making sure your drink is only made with 100% fruit juice.
3. Dry Sherry – 98 Calories per 100 ml
Dry sherry is a white wine that has undergone complete fermentation. This means there is less sugar left over from the grapes that made the wine.
Being a white wine, this is a lower calorie option than your go-to red.
2. Gin and Diet Tonic – 128 Calories per 174 ml
This popular drink can have a significant reduction of calories when you swap normal tonic water for diet tonic water. Like diet soda, diet tonic water is a calorie-free alternative to the regular option.
Next time you are at the bar, don’t forget to make that tonic a diet tonic!
1. Vodka Shots – 100 calories per 100 ml
Vodka is the lowest calorie alcohol and a popular drink when taking shots. Typically, people take 1-3 shots. A shot is about 50 ml each, or about 50 calories each.
Conclusion
Having an alcoholic beverage or two doesn’t have to ruin your calorie count for the day. Enjoy a drink and still have plenty of room left for a meal by choosing low-calorie beverages.
Though all these options are low-calorie, you can choose something that’s a bit lower when you’re pairing them with food. Then, on cheat days, you can choose a drink that’s still low in calories, but lets you feel like you’re cutting loose.
In general, when you’re looking for the lowest calorie alcohol, keep an eye out for whisky, tequila, white wines, and vodka.
FAQ
Here are some answers to questions you might have when searching for a low-calorie drink.
What is the lowest calorie alcohol?
Vodka is the lowest calorie alcohol, coming in at just 100 calories per 100 ml.
Does drinking alcohol cause weight gain?
Calories are calories, whether they come from food or drink. If you have an excess of calories per day, it will likely cause weight gain.
As we have learned, different alcoholic beverages contain differing amounts of calories and sugar. Be mindful when selecting a drink if you are trying to stick closely to weight loss goals.
What are some drinks to avoid when on a diet?
You might want to avoid Long Island Iced Teas, Pina Coladas, beer, and most cocktails that are notoriously high in sugar and calories.
Avoid drinks where flavored syrup is a common ingredient. Flavored syrups are notoriously high in both calories and sugars.
What are the best alcoholic drinks for weight loss?
If you are trying to stick to a certain calorie limit per day, opt for lower-calorie drinks. Based on our research, we have found whisky, tequila, vodka, and white wines to be great choices for low-calorie sipping.
Keep added ingredients to a minimum, and always switch out a regular drink for a diet one where possible.
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