Is “lose weight” on your list of New Year’s resolutions? If so — or if you’re just trying to maintain your current weight — here are a few ways to cut calories without cutting out cocktails.
Skip the dessert in a glass
We all know that sweet drinks are higher in calories.
However, you might be surprised to find out just how many more calories they contain. A pina colada has nearly 400 calories, and a chocolate martini has nearly 500 calories. That’s four and five times the calories of a gin and tonic.
And, don’t even get me started on Long Island Iced Tea, which can have up to 700 calories in an 8-ounce serving.
Pay attention to the mixers and alcohol proof
Juices and sodas add flavor and calories to your drink. Even tonic water has 10 calories per serving. Try mixing with club soda, diet soda or Fresca. Also, the higher the alcohol proof, the higher the calorie count. Infused liquors can add flavor without adding calories, so you can cut down or eliminate the amount of juice or soda in your drink.
A jigger (1.5 oz) of 80-proof vodka, gin or rum has 97 calories. The same quantity of 100-proof alcohol has 123 calories. This helpful guide will tell you the calorie count for your favorite liqueurs, another source of hidden calories.
Consider low-calorie substitutions
Glamour magazine has some good recommendations for how to swap lower-calorie cocktails for higher-calorie favorites. For example, order a Mudslide instead of a White Russian and save 154 calories. Go for a Mojito instead of a Margarita and save 206 calories.
Baja Bob makes no-sugar mixers and Torini makes no-calorie flavored syrups — good ways to make your favorites at home in a lower-calorie way.
Recipes for cocktails under 170 calories:
Pomegranate Martini
Sour Apple Martini
Midori Lemonade, Midori Fizz, Zen Cooler and Zen Iced Tea
Diet Cuba Libre
Bloody Mary
Blueberry Lime Margarita
Low-Calorie Spring Cocktails
Photo credit: the prodigal untitled13
