Theo Nash
When it comes to choosing alcoholic drinks with fewer calories, it's best to opt for those with little to no added sugar. Clear liquors like vodka, gin, and tequila usually have around 60–70 calories per 1-ounce shot. Vodka is considered one of the healthiest options in terms of calorie count, with about 96 calories per shot, and it lacks sugars and additives. Tequila comes in at a close second, and you can make a low-calorie cocktail by mixing it with club soda, mint, or coconut water. Light beer and hard seltzers are also good options, with fewer calories and a lower alcohol content. White wine spritzers, made with club soda and wine, are another low-calorie choice, with about 75 calories per 5-ounce drink.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lowest calorie spirit | Vodka |
| Calories per shot | 96 |
| Calories per ounce | 65 |
| Other low-calorie spirits | Tequila, gin, white rum |
| Low-calorie mixers | Lime, club soda, diet coke, seltzer, sparkling water |
| Low-calorie cocktails | Vodka soda, tequila with lime, rum and diet coke, white wine spritzer, hard seltzer |
| Low-calorie beers | Light beer, Michelob Ultra, Lagunitas Daytime |
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What You'll Learn
Vodka with soda or sparkling water
Vodka is a clear liquor with a burning alcohol flavour that many people find unpleasant by itself. It is often mixed with other beverages like sweet juices, sodas, and bitters to make a tasty cocktail. However, many of these mixers are high in added sugars, carbs, and calories, which can interfere with weight management.
Soda water or sparkling water are good alternatives to sweet juices and sodas, as they have no added sugar and, therefore, fewer calories. Vodka with soda or sparkling water is a good low-calorie alcoholic beverage option. Vodka is a low-calorie liquor with no carbs, fat, sugar, or nutritional value. All the calories in vodka come from the alcohol itself.
If you want to add some flavour to your vodka and soda or sparkling water, you can use a squeeze of lemon or lime, which is another low-calorie option. You can also infuse the vodka itself with natural or artificial flavours such as lemon, berry, coconut, watermelon, cucumber, vanilla, cinnamon, bacon, whipped cream, ginger, mango, or smoked salmon. Many infused versions don't contain more calories than plain vodka, but it's important to avoid confusing flavour-infused vodka with vodka drinks made with flavoured sugary syrups added after the distillation process, as these often contain more calories and carbs.
It's important to note that while vodka with soda or sparkling water is a low-calorie option, alcohol itself has a high number of calories, with 7 calories per gram, second only to fat. Additionally, alcohol interferes with the body's fat-burning process, as the liver metabolises alcohol ahead of burning fat. Therefore, while vodka with soda or sparkling water is a good choice for a low-calorie alcoholic beverage, it's important to try to manage the amount of alcohol you consume.
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Tequila with lime
If you're looking for a low-calorie alcoholic drink, tequila with lime is a great option. It's an easy drink to make, and it's also very low in calories. Clear liquors like tequila usually have around 60-70 calories per 1-ounce shot.
When it comes to mixers, it's best to avoid tonic water as it contains added sugar and, therefore, more calories. Instead, opt for club soda, diet coke, coconut water, or sparkling water. You can also add a splash of grapefruit-flavoured sparkling water and a sprinkle of salt to create a low-calorie Paloma. If you're looking for a convenient option, you can try a Truly Hard Seltzer in Lime Tequila Soda, which has only 100 calories and 1 gram of sugar.
While drinking tequila straight may not be for everyone, you can also try mixing it with low-calorie ingredients like mint to make a refreshing and healthy cocktail. Compared to regular beer, light beer usually has fewer calories and a lower alcohol content, so that can be another good option if you're looking to cut down on calories without compromising on taste.
Remember, while choosing low-calorie drinks is a good start, decreasing your overall intake of alcohol can also support weight loss. So, be sure to consume alcohol in moderation and always drink responsibly.
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Rum with diet coke
When it comes to alcoholic beverages, it's important to note that while spirits and alcohol will increase your calorie count, giving them up entirely is not necessarily the only option for managing your weight. Instead, you can opt for low-calorie alcoholic drinks or make your favourite drinks healthier by reducing the calorie content.
One such low-calorie option is rum with diet coke. A 7.5-ounce (225-mL) serving of rum and diet coke contains 135 calories, significantly fewer than the 200 calories in a regular rum and coke. This simple switch can help you cut down on calories without compromising on taste.
To further reduce the calorie count, you can skip the sugar or use a calorie-free sweetener instead. Additionally, making your drinks at home instead of buying premade mixers can also help decrease the calorie intake, as premade mixers tend to be high in sugar and calories. Enhancing the flavour with fresh herbs is a great way to make your drink healthier and more enjoyable.
It's worth mentioning that while drinking low-calorie alcoholic beverages can support weight loss, decreasing your overall alcohol intake is also beneficial. Alcoholic drinks, even the low-calorie ones, contribute to your total calorie consumption. Therefore, it's important to consume alcohol in moderation as part of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
In conclusion, rum with diet coke is a great choice if you're looking for a low-calorie alcoholic drink. By opting for this combination, you can enjoy a tasty beverage while also staying aligned with your fitness goals and maintaining a balanced diet.
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Light beer
When it comes to alcoholic drinks, spirits and hard liquor will generally increase your calorie count. However, this doesn't mean you have to give them up entirely. Instead, consider opting for low-calorie alcoholic drinks, such as light beer.
If you're looking for a low-calorie alcoholic drink, light beer is a good option, especially if you enjoy the taste of beer. However, it's important to remember that even low-calorie alcoholic drinks can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. Therefore, it's recommended to consume alcohol in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Additionally, choosing drinks with lower sugar content and paying attention to portion sizes can help reduce calorie intake.
Some other low-calorie alcoholic drink options include vodka soda, tequila with lime, and rum with diet coke. Clear liquors like vodka, tequila, and gin typically have around 60-70 calories per 1-ounce shot. By skipping sugary mixers and opting for low-calorie alternatives, you can further reduce the calorie count of your drinks. For example, switching from regular Coke to Diet Coke in a rum and Coke can significantly reduce the calorie intake.
In summary, light beer is a good choice if you're looking for a low-calorie alcoholic drink, especially among beer options. However, to support weight loss and develop healthier habits, it's important to consider the overall calorie intake, choose low-sugar options, and practice moderation in your alcohol consumption.
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Hard seltzer
The calories in hard seltzers vary depending on the brand. For example, a 330ml can of Mike's Hard Seltzer contains 100 calories at 5% ABV, while a 12oz can of Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer contains 90 calories at 4.5% ABV. Other leading brands, such as Truly Hard Seltzer and White Claw Hard Seltzer, tend to contain around 100 calories per 12oz can.
However, despite being low in calories and carbs, dietitians would not typically call hard seltzer a healthy drink. This is because it is easy to drink and does not make you feel full, so it is easy to consume too many. Therefore, it is important to enjoy hard seltzers in moderation.
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Frequently asked questions
Vodka is considered the lowest-calorie spirit, with about 96 calories per 1 oz shot. It is also low in sugar and lacks additives, making it a relatively healthy choice.
Tequila is a close second to vodka in terms of calorie count. A 1.5 oz serving of tequila blanco with lime has only 97 calories.
Other clear liquors like gin, white rum, and whiskey are also relatively low in calories. These can be paired with zero-calorie mixers like soda or diet coke to keep the calorie count low.
Some low-calorie cocktails include a vodka soda with citrus or lime, a tequila and soda, or a white wine spritzer made with one part club soda and three parts wine.
To reduce the calorie count of your drinks, avoid sugary mixers and opt for zero-calorie or diet options. You can also try making your drinks at home and using fresh herbs or citrus instead of high-calorie sugars or syrups.
