Lena Savoie
While most alcoholic drinks have little to no nutritional value, there are some low-calorie options for those who are conscious about their health. One example is hard seltzer, which is made by combining seltzer water with alcohol fermented from cane sugar. A 12-ounce (355-ml) serving of mango hard seltzer has just 95 calories, which is comparable to a single shot of vodka. Another option is to mix your liquor with low-calorie mixers like club soda, coconut water, or mint. For example, a shot of vodka with muddled mint and cucumber has about 97 calories.
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What You'll Learn
Rum has no carbs, no fat and about 97 calories per 1.5 fluid ounces
While it is important to remember that alcohol has no nutritional value and is associated with unhealthy weight gain and obesity, drinking in moderation can be incorporated into the calorie limits of most healthy eating patterns. According to the USDA, moderate alcohol consumption is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
Rum is a distilled beverage, so it contains no naturally-occurring sugars or fat. A 1.5 fluid ounce shot of rum contains about 97 calories, no carbs, and no fat. However, the calorie count can increase significantly when rum is mixed with high-calorie ingredients like sugary sodas or sweetened juices. For example, a piña colada can contain around 340 calories.
If you are looking for other low-calorie alcoholic drinks, there are several options. Vodka has about 97 calories per shot, and you can make a refreshing drink by mixing it with muddled mint, cucumber, and fresh lime juice. Tequila with lime is another low-calorie option, and you can also mix tequila with club soda, mint, or coconut water. Hard seltzer, which combines selzter water with alcohol made from fermented cane sugar, is typically low in calories, although the exact number varies by brand and flavour. Light beer usually has fewer calories than regular beer, and Budweiser Select 55 has the lowest calorie and carb count among beers. Prosecco is another relatively low-calorie option, with around 128 calories per 6-ounce glass.
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Vodka has about 97 calories per shot
While there are no alcohol shots with absolutely no calories and no carbs, vodka is a good option if you're looking for a low-calorie alcoholic beverage, with about 97 calories per 1.5-ounce shot. Vodka is considered a lower-calorie option compared to wine or beer, and it contains zero carbs and no fat. All the calories in vodka come from the alcohol itself, and the higher the proof, the more calories per ounce.
To give you an idea of how the calorie count can change depending on the mixer, a Vodka Redbull with a full can of Redbull and 1.5 ounces of vodka is 212 calories. However, with a 3:1 ratio of Redbull to vodka, a common serve, the drink would be only 126 calories. A Vodka Tonic made with 1.5 ounces of vodka and 5 ounces of tonic is 152 calories, while a Vodka Sprite with the same amount of vodka and Sprite is 154 calories.
If you're looking to cut down on calories, drinking vodka straight-up, on the rocks, or with sparkling water or a diet mixer will cost you approximately 100 calories per drink. However, it's important to note that the calorie count can quickly add up when you mix vodka with sugary ingredients, liqueurs, and other spirits. For example, a lemonade vodka cocktail (286 grams) may have almost 200 calories and 26 grams of carbs, of which 25 grams are added sugars.
If you're trying to lose weight, decreasing the number of calories you consume from alcohol can be very effective. Many alcoholic beverages are loaded with calories and added sugar, which can contribute to obesity and other health problems in the long term. However, it's important to remember that alcohol should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, and there are many low-calorie options you can enjoy without compromising your weight-loss plans.
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Tequila with lime is low in calories
While many alcoholic drinks are loaded with calories and added sugar, there are some low-calorie options, including tequila with lime. Tequila is a low-calorie alcohol with zero carbohydrates and only 97 calories in a standard 1.5-ounce serving. It is distilled from agave, so it is also gluten-free.
A simple way to make a low-calorie tequila drink is to mix tequila with soda water and lime. This drink is crisp, bubbly, and refreshing, with a hint of sweetness from the tequila. To make it, pour 2 ounces of tequila over ice and mix in 3 or more ounces of club soda. Garnish with a fresh squeeze of lime wedge, or even a few jalapeno slices.
If you're looking for something a little more complex, you can try a Skinny Paloma. Fill a tall glass with ice and combine 2 ounces of silver (blanco) tequila with 1/2 ounce of fresh-squeezed lime juice. Pour over 3-4 ounces of grapefruit soda, stir, and garnish with a lime wedge. Alternatively, you can replace the grapefruit soda with 3 ounces of grapefruit juice and top up the drink with sparkling water, soda water, or plain seltzer.
Another option is to make a low-calorie "margarita" by combining 1 ounce of blanco tequila with 3 ounces of coconut water and 1 ounce of lime juice (or more, if you like it extra tart) over ice. You can also add a little flaked salt.
Tequila with lime is a great option for those looking for a low-calorie alcoholic drink, and there are many ways to prepare it to suit your taste.
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A vodka martini contains about 120 calories
While it is important to remember that alcohol should be consumed in moderation as part of a well-rounded diet, there are many low-calorie alcoholic options available. One such option is a vodka martini, which contains about 120 calories. However, other sources suggest that a standard-sized vodka martini has approximately 202 calories. This variation in calorie count may be due to differences in the size of the cocktail or the specific ingredients used. For example, adding garnishes such as olives or maraschino cherries can increase the overall calorie count.
To provide some context, a 1-ounce serving of vodka contains approximately 64.7 calories, according to the USDA FoodData Central. Vermouth, another common ingredient in vodka martinis, has about 47 calories per ounce. By comparison, a shot of rum (1.5 fluid ounces) contains about 97 calories and no carbs or fat, making it a popular choice for those on a weight loss journey.
When it comes to low-calorie alcoholic drinks, tequila is also a good option. Mixing tequila with lime or club soda, mint, or coconut water can create a refreshing and low-calorie cocktail. Hard seltzer, made by combining seltzer water with alcohol fermented from cane sugar, is another low-calorie choice that often comes in fruity flavors. Additionally, light beer typically has fewer calories and a lower alcohol content than regular beer.
It is worth noting that while decreasing the number of calories consumed from alcohol can be effective for weight loss, many alcoholic beverages are loaded with added sugar, which can contribute to health problems in the long term. As such, it is essential to consume alcohol in moderation and be mindful of the ingredients and mixers used in cocktails, as they can significantly impact the overall calorie and nutritional content.
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Hard seltzers are low in calories
Hard seltzers are typically made by combining seltzer water with alcohol derived from fermented cane sugar. They are usually available in several fruity flavours, including lime, strawberry, passionfruit, and pomegranate, blackberry, apple, and mango.
Hard seltzers are often low in calories and carbohydrates compared to many beers, wines, and cocktails. A typical 12-ounce can of hard seltzer contains around 100 calories and 2 grams of added sugar, which is similar to the calorie count of many light beers. The exact number of calories and carbohydrates can vary depending on the specific brand and flavour. For example, Mike's Hard Seltzers come in 330ml cans with 100 calories per can at 5% ABV, and only 2 grams of carbs and sugar.
Hard seltzers are a convenient and lower-calorie alternative to traditional sugary spirits and mixers. They are also suitable for those on vegan and gluten-free diets. However, despite being low in calories and carbs, most dietitians would not consider hard seltzers to be healthy. They are easy to drink, and unlike beer, they don't create a sense of fullness, making it easy to consume too many. Therefore, it is important to enjoy hard seltzers in moderation, sticking to one a day for women and two for men.
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Frequently asked questions
Pure spirits like rum, vodka, and tequila contain no carbs, but they do have some calories. A shot of vodka, for example, has about 97 calories.
Yes, you can mix spirits with soda water, tonic water, or seltzer, which have few or no calories.
No, all alcoholic drinks contain some calories. However, you can minimise your calorie and carb intake by choosing drinks with a lower alcohol percentage and avoiding added sugars.
