It’s that time of year again. Party season is in full force, people. And you know what that means—it’s time to enjoy the good weather, great food, and even better drinks. Of course, this can admittedly make it difficult to stay on track and reach your health and fitness goals. Which is where the help of a delicious low-calorie cocktail comes in.
That said, finding a drink that tastes good and is good for you is oftentimes easier said than done. Which is why I set out to find drink recipes you can enjoy without sacrificing flavor for your health.
Of course, no alcoholic beverage will ever be completely calorie-free, but these low-calorie options will help you still enjoy and live your life without compromising your health goals. Plus, they’re tasty AF. Keep scrolling to learn the 4 low-calorie cocktails you need to try ASAP.
low-Calorie cocktail recipes:
1. spicy watermelon margarita
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- 3 oz silver tequila
- ½ oz low-calorie agave nectar
- 1 large watermelon
- ½ oz fresh lime juice (made from squeezing juice out of limes into separate glass)
- 2 oz triple sec
- 2-3 jalapeño coins (add more if you like a lot of spice!)
- cocktail shaker + strainer
- rocks glass or size equivalent
- drink muddler (substitute back of fork if unavailable)
- ice
- salt + chili powder (for spicy rim; optional)
WATERMELON JUICE DIRECTIONS:
- If doing a spicy rim: pour an even amount of salt and chili powder onto a plate and mix well. Wet rim of margarita glass, then dip into mixture.
- Put 2-3 jalapeño coins, agave nectar, and tequila into cocktail shaker. Muddle ingredients together.
- Add in 2 watermelon cubes, then fill cocktail shaker with ice, then add in triple sec, lime juice, and 2 oz watermelon juice.
- Cover cocktail shaker and shake well—cocktail shaker should be cold to the touch! Pour into margarita glass. Top with ice if needed.
HOW-TO:
- If doing a spicy rim: pour an even amount of salt and chili powder onto a plate and mix well. Wet rim of margarita glass, then dip into mixture.
- Put 2-3 jalapeño coins, agave nectar, and tequila into cocktail shaker. Muddle ingredients together.
- Add in 2 watermelon cubes, then fill cocktail shaker with ice, then add in triple sec, lime juice, and 2 oz watermelon juice.
- Cover cocktail shaker and shake well—cocktail shaker should be cold to the touch! Pour into margarita glass. Top with ice if needed.
2. cucumber gin smash
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- 3 oz gin
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 4 slices cucumber
- 4 basil sprigs
- soda water
- rocks glass or size equivalent
- ice
- drink muddler (substitute back of fork if unavailable)
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice (made from squeezing juice out of lemons into separate glass)
- cocktail shaker + strainer
SIMPLE SYRUP DIRECTIONS*:
*This should be chilled in fridge for at least an hour before it’s used in cocktail. It can also be made the night before and stored in fridge, covered, for 2-3 days.
- Pour 1 cup of low-calorie sweetener (like Splenda) and 1 cup of water into a pot. Bring to a boil on stovetop, stirring frequently.
- Once sweetener’s dissolved completely, remove pot from hot burner and turn off stove. Let mixture cool completely.
- Note: if simple syrup seems thin and watery, add in a tiny bit more sugar; repeat if needed until mixture is thicker.
- Pour into glass, cover, and store in fridge for at least an hour.
HOW-TO:
- Place 2 cucumbers, 2 basil sprigs, and simple syrup into cocktail shaker and muddle well.
- Add in gin, fresh lemon juice, and the 2 remaining cucumber slices. Fill cocktail shaker ¾ way with ice. Cover and shake well—cocktail shaker should be cold to the touch!
- Pour into rocks glass, then fill remainder of glass with soda water and garnish with remaining 2 basil sprigs.
3. skinny pineapple coconut cocktail
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- 3 oz coconut rum
- 4 chunks pineapple
- 2 oz orange liqueur
- ½ oz fresh lime juice (made from squeezing juice out of limes into separate glass)
- coconut water
- soda water
- cocktail shaker + strainer
- rocks glass or size equivalent
- ice
HOW-TO:
- Fill cocktail shaker with ice, then add in coconut rum, pineapple chunks, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and a dash of coconut water.
- Cover and shake well—cocktail shaker should be cold to the touch!
- Fill rocks glass with ice, then strain contents of cocktail shaker over it. Top with soda water.
4. strawberry surprise cocktail
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- 3 oz vodka
- 1 large strawberry, sliced
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice (made from squeezing juice out of lemons into separate glass)
- 2 oz elderflower liqueur
- ½ oz simple syrup (see directions above)
- soda water
- collins/highball glass or size equivalent
- cocktail shaker + strainer
- drink muddler + cocktail spoon
- ice
HOW-TO:
- Place 4 strawberry slices, vodka, and simple syrup into cocktail shaker and muddle well, then add in lemon juice, elderflower liquer, and 2-4 more strawberry slices.
- Fill remainder of cocktail shaker with ice, cover and shake well—cocktail shaker should be cold to the touch!
- Pour into glass and top with soda water.
