Weight loss diets come with many restrictions. While observing those restrictions, most people prefer to reduce rather than eliminate alcohol from their diets.
There are about seven calories per gram in alcohol. This amount is not so different from dietary fat, which has about nine calories per gram. However, unlike the healthy fats that are high in calories, alcohol does not provide us with nutrients that enable us to perform bodily functions. Therefore, health professionals usually recommend cutting down alcohol for those who want to lose weight and/or to improve their health.
That being said, even if you are on a weight loss diet, you can still drink in moderation. Check out those five drinks that are low in calories:
The Best Low-Calorie Alcoholic Drinks
1. Old Fashioned
A traditional old fashioned cocktail has about 154 calories.
Ingredients
- 2 dashes bitters
- 1 ½ tsp of simple syrup
- 1 tsp of water
- Maraschino cherries
- 1 cup of ice
- 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey
- 1 orange slice
Instructions
Pour the whiskey into a glass. Afterward, add the syrup, bitters, and some ice. Continue by stirring the ingredients.
Put a clean glass in the freezer. After 30 minutes, take the glass out and, with a strainer, pour your drink into it. Then garnish your drink with an orange slice and cherry.
*Tip: Use a free-sugar sweetener instead of syrup to reduce the calories of this classic cocktail.
2. Gin and Tonic
Gin is a low-calorie alcohol. Therefore, a gin and tonic is one of the best low-calorie drinks you can have in a diet. There are about 150 calories in a gin and tonic.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of gin
- 4 – 6 oz of tonic water
- Lime wedge
- Ice cubes
Instructions
Place the ice into a glass. Pour the gin and continue by pouring the tonic on top. Next, gently stir to mix the ingredients. Garnish with a lime wedge.
This gin and tonic recipe doesn’t include syrup, but you can add some sugar-free syrup if you want to.
3. Skinny Mojito
The traditional mojito recipe has about 240 calories. However, with this recipe, you can enjoy a mojito with only 90 calories.
Ingredients
- 2 small lime wedges
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 2 ounces of white rum
- 12 ounces of lemon-lime-flavored soda
- 4 tbsp of stevia (calorie-free sweetener)
Instructions
In a chilled glass, muddle the mint leaves, the lime wedges, and the stevia. Next, add some crushed ice. Then add the rum and soda; stir to combine all the ingredients. Use a lime wedge to garnish and enjoy!
4. Pomegranate Martini
A pomegranate martini only has 107 calories.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of vodka
- 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
- 2 oz of sparkling water
- 2 tbsp of orange juice
- Ice
Instructions
Add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and mix thoroughly. Next, use a strainer to pour the drink into a martini glass. You can also add a slice of lime or some pomegranate seeds to garnish the drink.
5. Margarita
A margarita has about 170 calories and it is perfect for enjoying in the summer.
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz of lime juice
- 2 oz of tequila
- 1 oz of orange-flavored liqueur
- Salt
- 4 tbsp of stevia
Instructions
To prepare your glass, run a lime wedge over the rim. Next, dip the opening of the glass in a plate with salt.
Add the lime juice, tequila, orange liqueur into a cocktail shaker and mix it up. Then add some ice to your glass and pour the margarita mix into it.
*Note: You can enjoy this drink without sugar. But, if you prefer something sweet, try adding about 4 tbsp of stevia to the margarita mix.
Pomegranate Martini: The Crown Jewel Recipe
The pomegranate martini is the most-searched recipe on this page, and for good reason. It is light, antioxidant-rich, and clocks in at about 130 calories when made the smart way.
Here is a clean, low-calorie version:
- 1.5 oz vodka (or for a lower-calorie option, try a citrus seltzer base)
- 2 oz unsweetened pomegranate juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz simple syrup (or skip and let the pomegranate carry the sweetness)
- Pomegranate seeds and a thin lime wheel for garnish
Shake everything over ice, strain into a chilled coupe, and finish with the seeds. The pomegranate brings polyphenol antioxidants, the lime supports digestion, and the small portion of vodka keeps the calorie count gentle. Skipping the simple syrup brings the calories below 100 per drink.
Are Martinis Low-Calorie?
Martinis can be one of the lower-calorie cocktail choices, depending on how they are built. A classic dry martini made with two ounces of gin or vodka and a splash of dry vermouth comes in around 120 to 140 calories. That is well below most mixed drinks.
Where martinis go off the calorie rails is sweetened versions. An espresso martini with coffee liqueur and simple syrup can climb to 250 calories or more. A French martini with raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice often lands near 220 calories.
If you want a martini under 100 calories, try a vodka soda martini: two ounces of vodka, a splash of fresh citrus, and chilled soda water in a martini glass with a twist. It looks elegant, drinks crisp, and respects your calorie budget.
Lemon Drop Martini: How Many Calories?
A traditional lemon drop martini contains about 175 to 220 calories, mostly from simple syrup, sugared rim, and triple sec. Here is how to lighten it without losing the bright, citrus character:
- Use 1.5 oz vodka instead of 2
- Replace simple syrup with a teaspoon of monk fruit or stevia syrup
- Skip the sugared rim or use a lighter dusting
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for a brighter, cleaner flavor
This lighter version comes in around 110 calories with all the freshness of the original. It is a satisfying option for anyone who wants the lemon-drop experience without the sugar crash.
What Counts as a Low-Calorie Cocktail?
A low-calorie cocktail generally lands under 150 calories per serving. Anything under 100 calories sits in the ‘skinny cocktail’ range.
Three rules help you build one yourself:
- Limit added sugar. Simple syrup, flavored liqueurs, and sweet sodas drive most of the calorie load in mixed drinks.
- Use fresh, whole ingredients. Fresh herbs, citrus, muddled berries, and unsweetened juices add flavor without adding much sugar.
- Choose clear spirits. Vodka, gin, tequila blanco, and white rum all run roughly 65 to 70 calories per ounce, with no added sugar.
Sparkling water, kombucha, and unsweetened tea make excellent low-calorie mixers. They keep drinks bright and refreshing without sneaking sugar into the glass.
Cocktails as Part of a Balanced Wellness Routine
A well-made low-calorie cocktail can fit into a mindful wellness routine when you keep portions reasonable and balance the alcohol with plenty of water and nourishing meals.
At Z.E.N. Foods, our chef-prepared, nutritionist-designed meal plans support this kind of thoughtful approach to social occasions. Fresh, anti-inflammatory meals delivered right to your doorstep across Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura, and San Diego make it easier to stay on plan, even on weekends. To learn more about a personalized plan that fits your wellness journey, call us at 310-205-9368.
Quick Answers: Common Low-Calorie Cocktail Questions
What is the lowest calorie alcohol?
Vodka, gin, tequila blanco, and white rum sit at roughly 65 to 70 calories per ounce. Champagne and dry wines are also low: a five-ounce glass of dry red or white wine contains about 120 to 125 calories.
Is wine or a cocktail lower in calories?
It depends on the cocktail. A vodka soda runs about 100 calories. A glass of dry wine runs about 120 to 125. A margarita or a sweetened cocktail can run 250 calories or more. The biggest factor is added sugar, not the spirit choice.
Can I drink alcohol on a weight loss plan?
Many people maintain steady weight loss while including occasional drinks. The key principles: limit to one or two servings, choose low-sugar mixers, eat a balanced meal first, and stay well hydrated. Alcohol calories add up fast, so a mindful approach matters.
Does diet tonic water save calories?
Yes. Standard tonic water contains about 80 calories per cup from added sugar. Diet tonic uses zero-calorie sweeteners and brings that to nearly zero. For the cleanest option, try plain sparkling water with a twist of lime or grapefruit.
What is the lowest calorie alcoholic drink at a bar?
A vodka soda with fresh lime sits at the bottom of the menu calorie-wise, around 90 to 100 calories. Tequila on the rocks is similar. Most bartenders are happy to make light versions of classic cocktails when you ask for fresh citrus, no simple syrup, and a splash of soda.
Are you on a weight loss journey? At Z.E.N. Foods, we offer tasty and healthy delivery meals. Find out more about our meal plans by calling us at (310) 205-9368. We are here to help!
