17 Best Low-Calorie Cocktails

Cocktails are a great way to destress after a long, hard day at work.

But if you’re watching your weight and counting calories, finding low-calorie cocktails that fit in your diet can be problematic.

With this list, though, you can make your own! Here, you’ll find 17 low-calorie cocktails ranging in flavor from strong and dry to sweet and fruity. 

Some of them, like the Bloody Mary and the gin and tonic, are traditional favorites with which most people are already familiar. 

Others, like the skinny margarita, low-carb mojito, and keto peach bourbon smash are ones you’ll adjust the recipe on to make specifically low-calorie drinks. 

Still, others are fun new drinks that you’ve maybe never tried.

So whether you’re in the mood for an old favorite or something new, give this list of 17 low-calorie cocktails a try.

1. Vodka and Soda

If you’re in the mood for a low-calorie drink that’s zesty, crisp, and refreshing, you’ll love this recipe for vodka and soda. 

You can pull it together in less than 5 minutes with nothing more than your favorite sparkling soda (La Croix is excellent), vodka, and a slice of lime. 

It’s bubbly and has plenty of lime and vodka flavor. It’s sure to be a fast favorite. 

2. Mulled Wine

This mulled wine is both low-calorie and low-carb, so it’s great for people on most diets.

And at only 15 minutes, it also doesn’t take nearly as long to make as some mulled wines. 

You’ll start with a base of dry red wine. To that, you’ll add oranges, cranberries, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and erythritol. 

It’s fruity but dry and tastes like Christmas. It’s pretty unbeatable. 

3. Pomegranate Kombucha Mimosa

If you like drinks that look as good as they taste, give this pomegranate kombucha mimosa a try. It’s sweet and fruity and not terribly strong. 

So if you’re looking for a beautiful drink that’ll let you celebrate without getting you drunk, this is the one you want. And did I mention it looks fantastic? 

(I know I did, but it bears repeating!)

4. Low-Carb Mojito

The low-carb mojito is another drink suitable for people counting carbs (1 net carb) and calories (105).

It also tastes just like a regular mojito, which makes it a favorite of mine.

Additionally, it’s a simple drink to make, requiring only five ingredients and as many minutes to make. 

As long as you have white rum, mint leaves, lime juice, Citrus Fresca, and Diet 7-UP, you can pull this one together in no time. 

5. Gin and Tonic

A traditional gin and tonic has a little under 200 calories, but if you’re watching your weight, that can be a lot for one drink. 

So, how exactly do you make a gin and tonic low-calorie and low-carb?

There are two secrets. The first: Buy exceptionally high-quality gin. Seriously, if you start with delicious gin, it doesn’t even really matter what you add to it.

The second secret is to forgo the diet tonic; use regular tonic, but cut the amount you use in half and substitute club soda for that half. 

It tastes as good as always and has nearly half the calories.

6. Moscow Mule

The Moscow mule is ideal for anyone who likes their drinks minty, ginger-flavored, and a bit on the dry side.

Moscow mules have a fantastic taste, but it’s not overly sweet, fruity, or tart. 

It’s just very clean and very refreshing. 

7. Bloody Mary Cocktail

If you’re a fan of tomato, celery, and a bit of spice, then you can’t beat the Bloody Mary. After all, classics are classics for a reason. 

This version is ready in 5 minutes, has less than 150 calories, and uses only seven ingredients: vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, celery salt, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper.

If you want a bit more flavor and substance, you can also add horseradish and whatever garnish you like best (cocktail shrimp, celery stalks, olives, etc.).

Personally, I prefer red bell peppers.

8. Tequila Sunrise

As with the gin and tonic, the key to making the Tequila Sunrise a bit less calorie-heavy is starting with high-quality liquor. In this case, you’ll need tequila. 

You’ll also use freshly squeezed orange juice – not the bottled kind – grenadine, and an orange slice and cocktail cherry for garnishes. 

You’ll get the same gorgeous sunrise appearance, the same phenomenal taste, but it’ll have about 100 fewer calories. 

9. Peach Bellini

When it comes to lovely, bubbly brunch drinks, mimosas and peach bellinis are two of the best, so if you’re a brunch enthusiast watching your weight, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate this recipe.

It’s a light drink with plenty of peach and Prosecco flavor. If you want to make it a bit stronger, you can also add half a cup of vodka. 

If the drink isn’t strong enough to suit your tastes, use a zero-calorie sweetener to get it as sweet as you like.

10. Skinny Sangria Spritzer

Both the ruby red color of this drink and its spectacular taste make it a big hit for anyone who loves cocktails. 

It has a sweetly tart, wonderfully tangy mixed berry flavor from the frozen triple berry mix and berry sparkling water.

There’s also citrus from the lemon juice and orange juice. 

Finally, you get the rich boldness of red wine and some minty freshness, as well. There’s a lot about this drink to love. 

11. Skinny Margarita

The skinny margarita has been popular for several years now.

In case you’ve somehow missed it, this recipe will show you how to make skinny margs in the comfort of your own home in just 5 minutes. 

Just be aware that the delightful tartness of this drink hides a surprisingly powerful kick of tequila underneath, so you may find the drink a lot stronger than you realized.

12. Grapefruit Gin Fizz

If you prefer cocktails that are more bittersweet than truly sweet, you should really like the grapefruit gin fizz. 

It features a bright and bitter grapefruit flavor with earthy notes of rosemary and gin. It’s not a bad drink, and I’m not even a huge fan of grapefruit. 

There’s something about its bubbly, seltzer-like texture and taste that makes it rather enjoyable. 

13. White Wine Spritzer

The white wine spritzer tastes like white wine, only bubblier. There’s also a nice lemon zest flavor, assuming you add enough juice in your lemon twist to taste. 

It’s a clean, refreshing drink that pairs well with most things and isn’t strong enough to knock you off your feet.

(It might get you up and dancing on them, though!)

14. Watermelon Mint Champagne Punch

This lovely pink drink is hard to describe, but it’s so unbelievably yummy. It takes about 10 minutes to make, but it’s well worth the time you spend on it. 

You’ll need vodka, Sprite (or any lemon-lime soda), Tropicana watermelon drink, champagne, fresh mint leaves, and a lemon. 

It almost tastes like a watermelon-flavored Jolly Rancher, but it’s a bit sourer and definitely has more of an alcohol kick to it. 

Still, if you enjoy the lightly sweet flavor of watermelon hard candies, the zestiness of lemon-lime soda, and don’t mind tasting your alcohol, you’ll appreciate this light cocktail. 

15. Raspberry Lemon Cocktail

The raspberry lemon cocktail tastes like raspberry lemonade, but it’s tarter, has more raspberry flavor, and features a bit of a kick. 

If you’re looking for a tangy and fruity drink that’s especially refreshing on a hot summer’s day, this one is an excellent choice. 

And though it has more carbs than someone on a low-carb diet might need, its calorie count isn’t bad at all. 

16. Keto Peach Bourbon Smash

You’ll certainly taste the bourbon in this sweet and smoky cocktail, but don’t worry; there’s a nice balance from the peach syrup, as well. 

I’m not sure why – maybe it’s the peaches – but this drink screams “southern-style drinking” to me.

I could totally see myself enjoying this in a rocking chair on a porch in the summer.

And best of all, it works for people on both low-carb and low-calorie diets. 

17. Paloma

The Paloma is like a margarita, but you’ll make it with grapefruit-flavored soda (Fresca) and lime instead of orange and lime. 

It leaves the drink tasting just as zesty and refreshing but adds a hint of bitterness, whereas the orange flavor in the margarita adds a tangy sweetness instead.