Nutrition experts warn about the high-calorie and sugar content in cocktails and popular ‘ready to drink’ pre-mixed drinks. But DrinksWorld has you covered with 10 no-sugar and low-calorie (no & low) cocktails to make at home or order at the bar. Each cocktail averages or is under 100 calories and is easy to prepare.
- Vodka Soda: ≈ 97 calories
- Rum and Diet Coke: ≈ 97 calories
- Mojito without Sugar: ≈ 97 calories
- Gin and Tonic Light: ≈ 97 calories
- Paloma Light: ≈ 100 calories
- Spritz: ≈ 100 calories
- Tequila with Lime: ≈ 110 calories
- Whiskey Sour: ≈ 110 calories
- Bloody Mary: ≈ 110 calories
- Martini: ≈ 130 calories
Many people confuse skinny and low-calorie cocktails. Skinny cocktails, like a “Skinny Margarita,” swap high-calorie ingredients for lighter options while low-calorie cocktails keep the original flavors but use smaller portions or calorie-friendly tweaks. Check our section about Keto cocktails where we list low-carb drinks made without sugars or high-carb mixers to fit a ketogenic diet.
The 10 Best Lowest Calorie Cocktails
Vodka Soda
Mixing vodka with soda water keeps the calorie count low, and adding fresh lime or lemon juice adds flavor.
Rum and Diet Coke
Swapping regular cola for a diet or zero version in a rum and coke drastically reduces the calorie count.
Mojito without Sugar
Make a traditional mojito with rum, mint, lime, and soda water, but leave out the sugar, or use a zero-calorie sweetener (such as agave syrup, for example) for a lighter version. Stevia syrup, which is neutral in taste, can be used as well; however, it tends to change the drinks texture and mouthfeel. Taste both options to figure out which one is your favorite!
Gin and Tonic Light
Opt for a light or diet tonic water with your gin to reduce sugar and calories while still enjoying this classic.
Paloma Light
Use grapefruit soda that’s low in calories or a combination of fresh grapefruit juice and soda water with tequila for a refreshing, low-calorie option.
Spritz
A traditional spritz made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water is relatively low in calories. Opting for a brut Prosecco (meaning the type of Prosecco with the smallest amount of residual sugar) can make it even lighter.
Tequila with Lime (Skinny Margarita)
A skinny margarita uses tequila, fresh lime juice, and a touch of agave syrup instead of the Triple Sec in traditional margaritas. It’s our summer favorite mix!
Whiskey Sour
Mix whiskey with fresh lemon juice and a small amount of sugar or a zero-kcal sweetener for a lower-calorie version.
Bloody Mary
Tomato juice, vodka, and a mix of seasonings make the Bloody Mary a good low-calorie choice.
Martini
A classic martini with gin or vodka and dry vermouth is low in calories, especially if you keep it simple without added syrups or liqueurs.
Calculate Your Cocktail Calories
Use the ReThinkingDrinking calculator to enter your average weekly intake of your preferred drinks. The calculator will then display the weekly calorie intake from those alcoholic beverages. You can also use the table on MedlinePlus, which lists all popular beverages and serving sizes.
More Drinks and Cocktails on DrinksWorld
Low sugar cocktails
Low carb cocktails
No calorie drinks
FAQs
What’s the lowest calorie count in cocktails? The lowest count in cocktails starts at 97 calories, the typical amount for a 1.5-ounce serving of a base spirit like vodka, gin, or tequila. Pair these spirits with zero-kcal mixers to keep calories low and avoid adding sugar.
What’s the healthiest cocktail? The World Health Organization (WHO) states that no alcoholic beverages are truly “healthy.” Instead, choose low-calorie options like light beer over craft beers or dry vermouth over sweet. For a healthier choice, consider going for non-alcoholic cocktails instead.
What alcohol is the lowest in calories? Hard liquors like vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and whiskey have the fewest calories per serving because they contain no carbs and are consumed in smaller amounts than beer or wine. A 1-ounce shot (about 30 ml) of a 40% ABV spirit, like vodka, has only around 97 calories.
