Trying to lose weight without giving up alcohol? These 25 low-calorie drinks let you enjoy your favorite beverages guilt-free.
So choose wisely my friends. There are several low-calorie options that can be enjoyed in moderation while still supporting your weight loss goals.
Here are the top 25 best low calorie alcoholic drinks to order at a bar!
Key Takeaways
- Low-calorie drinks let you enjoy the night without overloading on sugar or calories.
- Options like vodka soda, gin and tonic, and tequila with lime are light but flavorful.
- Choose clear spirits (vodka, gin, tequila) with soda water or fresh citrus for fewer calories.
- Skip heavy mixers like syrups, sugary juices, or soda—they add empty calories quickly.
- Wines and dry champagne are excellent choices—just limit portions to avoid extra sugars.
- For beer fans, go with light beers or low-carb options—they keep it crisp without the bloat.
- Flavored seltzers or skinny cocktails are trendy and perfect when watching calorie counts.
- Always drink moderately and balance boozy nights with plenty of water for hydration.
- You can still have fun while sticking to choices that keep you feeling good the next day!
Light Beers
1. Michelob Ultra (95 calories per 12 oz)
2. Budweiser Select (99 calories per 12 oz)
3. Miller Lite (96 calories per 12 oz)
4. Coors Light (102 calories per 12 oz)
5. Amstel Light (95 calories per 12 oz)
Wines
6. Dry red wines like Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon (around 120-125 calories per 5 oz glass)
7. Dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio (around 120-125 calories per 5 oz glass)
8. Prosecco (around 90-100 calories per 5 oz glass)
Lowest Calorie Liquor Chart
9. Vodka (64 calories per 1 oz)
10. Tequila (64 calories per 1 oz)
11. Gin (64 calories per 1 oz)
12. Rum (64 calories per 1 oz)
13. Whiskey (64 calories per 1 oz)
Low Calorie Mixed Drinks to Order at a Bar
14. Vodka soda with lime (around 65 calories)
15. Tequila soda with lime (around 65 calories)
16. Gin and tonic (around 115 calories)
17. Rum and diet cola (around 65 calories)
18. Whiskey and diet ginger ale (around 65 calories)
19. Skinny margarita (around 120 calories)
20. Bloody Mary (around 120 calories)
Hard Seltzers
21. White Claw Hard Seltzer (100 calories per 12 oz)
22. Truly Hard Seltzer (100 calories per 12 oz)
23. Bon & Viv Spiked Sparkling Seltzer (90 calories per 12 oz)
24. Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer (90 calories per 12 oz)
25. Bud Light Seltzer (100 calories per 12 oz)
Tips for Drinking Alcohol While Trying to Lose Weight
- Have fun and always drink responsibly of course. You can still party and have a good time without stressing about your figure.
- Practice moderation. Alcohol contains empty calories, so overconsumption can hinder weight loss efforts. Limit yourself to 1-2 drinks per occasion.
- Choose lower-calorie options like vodka, gin, tequila, rum, or whiskey (around 64-100 calories per 1.5 oz shot). Avoid sugary mixers and cocktails.
- Opt for light beers (around 95-100 calories per 12 oz) or dry wines (around 120-125 calories per 5 oz glass) instead of regular beer or sweet wines.
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated and slow up your drinking pace.
- Avoid eating high-fat, high-calorie, or fried foods while drinking, as alcohol can impair your body’s ability to burn fat efficiently.
- Make an effort to resist visiting those all too familiar fatty fast food places after having a few drinks. You know the ones!
- Consider having alcohol-free days or limiting drinking to social occasions to reduce overall calorie intake.
- Choose lower-calorie mixers like club soda, diet tonic water, or fresh citrus instead of sugary juices or sodas.
Impact of Alcohol on Metabolism and Weight Management
Once again, alcohol provides empty calories with little to no nutritional value. These calories can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess.
When alcohol is consumed, the body prioritizes metabolizing it over other nutrients like fats and carbohydrates.
This can lead to excess fat and glucose being stored as body fat instead of being used for energy.
Alcohol can impair the absorption of nutrients from food, affecting the metabolism of organs like the liver that play a role in nutrient processing and fat metabolism.
Heavy consumption can increase metabolic rate in the short-term, but chronic heavy drinking and resulting liver disease can eventually decrease the metabolism of alcohol itself.
This may disrupt hormone levels, including testosterone, which can negatively impact muscle growth, fat burning, and metabolic processes. Drinking can contribute to poor sleep quality, which is linked to imbalances in hormones that regulate hunger, satiety, and energy storage.
Alcohol may impair judgment and decision-making, leading to overconsumption of food, especially unhealthy options.
Drinks are often consumed in addition to high-calorie mixers or foods, further increasing calorie intake.
Alcohol and weight loss? The key is to be mindful of your alcohol consumption and make smart choices when indulging. Moderation and opting for lower-calorie alternatives can help you enjoy a drink without derailing your weight loss goals.
Additionally, excessive drinking can have negative health consequences. It’s best to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized advice with your weight loss.
What Alcohol Makes You Gain the Most Weight?
Based on our search results, there is no single alcoholic beverage that universally causes the most weight gain.
However, certain types of alcohol and drinking patterns are more likely to contribute to weight gain than others:
Heavy drinking or excessive alcohol consumption is strongly linked to weight gain over time.
*The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines heavy drinking as more than 3 drinks per day for women and more than 4 drinks per day for men.
Alcoholic beverages that are high in calories, sugar, and carbohydrates tend to be more fattening.
This includes:
- Sweet and dessert wines
- Sweetened cocktails and mixed drinks with syrups, juices, and liqueurs
- Flavored alcoholic beverages like hard lemonades or wine coolers
- Regular beer (around 150 calories per 12 oz)
- IPA beers (180-200 calories per 12 oz, sometimes as much as 300 calories)
Drinking increases your appetite and leads to overeating.
Alcohol may disrupt hormones that regulate appetite, fat storage, and metabolism, potentially contributing to weight gain over time with excessive intake.
In contrast, lower-calorie options like light beers, dry wines, vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and whiskey consumed in moderation are less likely to cause significant weight gain for most people.
Individual responses can vary based on factors like genetics, diet, exercise, and overall drinking patterns.
The takeaway here, is that excessive alcohol consuming, especially of calorie-dense and sugary alcoholic beverages, is most strongly associated with increased weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
How Much Weight Can You Lose by Giving Up Alcohol for a Month?
Well, the amount of weight you can lose by quitting alcohol for 30 days depends on several factors, but you can expect a noticeable difference.
Alcohol, with its empty calories, add up quickly, so cutting it out will lead to a calorie deficit without a doubt.
For example, a 12 oz beer has around 150 calories, and a 5 oz glass of wine has about 125. If you drink moderately, you could lose 2-4 lbs in a month just from the calorie savings.
However, if you binge drink, your weight loss could be more significant. Alcohol also causes dehydration and bloating, so you’ll drop some water weight initially.
Overall, cutting out alcohol for 30 days is a great way to kickstart weight loss and improve your health.
Can You Reverse “Alcohol Belly?”
YES, it is possible to reverse an “alcohol belly” or better known as the “beer belly”. You can shrink that excess belly fat gained from drinking. Here’s how to do it:
- Stop or significantly reduce your alcohol consumption. Drinking contributes to weight gain, especially around your midsection. Cutting these “empty“ calories creates a calorie deficit conducive to fat loss.
- Follow a calorie-controlled diet focused on lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Reduce portion sizes and avoid high-calorie, fatty foods.
- Increase your physical activity. Cardiovascular exercise like walking, running, or swimming combined with strength training will help you burn overall body fat, including visceral fat around the abdomen.
- Stay hydrated by drinking water. This will help reduce bloating and constipation sometimes caused by alcohol.
- Be patient and consistent. It can take several weeks or months of reduced alcohol intake, calorie deficit, and exercise to see a noticeable reduction in abdominal fat.
Consider supplements that may help block fat absorption or boost metabolism under medical supervision.
With a commitment to lifestyle changes, an alcohol belly can be reversed, though results will vary individually.
Bottom line, shedding pounds while enjoying a refreshing drink is entirely possible. By opting for the best alcoholic drinks for weight loss, you can indulge without guilt.
This list of the Top 25 low-calorie drinks offers a diverse selection, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Cheers to making smart choices and toasting to a healthier you!
FAQs
What are the best low-calorie alcoholic drinks to order at a bar?
You can’t go wrong with vodka soda, tequila with lime, or dry wine. They’re simple, low in sugar and calories, and easy to find.
Do clear liquors have fewer calories than darker ones?
Yes! Clear liquors like vodka, rum, tequila, and gin tend to have fewer calories than darker ones like whiskey or spiced rum.
What’s considered a “skinny cocktail”?
A skinny cocktail swaps high-calorie mixers like juice or soda for soda water, fresh fruit, or other light options to cut down calories.
Are hard seltzers a good option?
Totally. Drinks like White Claw have around 100 calories per can, and they’re usually lower in sugar than most cocktails or beers.
Does beer have more calories than liquor?
Usually, yes. Most beers pack way more carbs than liquor, which tends to make a big calorie difference. Light beers, though, are an okay alternative.
Can champagne be low-calorie?
Absolutely! A glass of brut champagne or dry prosecco usually has fewer calories than sweet cocktails.
Are flavored vodkas higher in calories?
Not really, but it depends. The flavoring doesn’t add much, but avoid sugary mixers—they’re the real calorie bomb.
How many calories are in tequila?
Pure tequila has about 96 calories per 1.5-ounce shot. Skip sugary margarita mixes to keep it low-cal.
Does drinking vodka or tequila make you gain weight?
Not directly. It’s more about the sugary mixers or the number of drinks adding up quickly.
Which cocktails should I avoid if I’m watching calories?
Long Island Iced Teas, piña coladas, and sweetened margaritas are calorie overload. They’re packed with sugar and syrups.
How can I order a healthier margarita?
Ask for a skinny marg—typically tequila, fresh lime juice, and a splash of soda water. No sugary mix needed!
What’s a good low-calorie replacement for beer?
Grab a hard seltzer, a vodka soda with lime, or a light beer—they taste great but trim the calories way down.
Are there any wines I should avoid?
Sweet wines like Moscato or dessert wines carry more sugar and calories. Stick with red, dry whites, or rosé.
How do mixers affect calories in drinks?
Mixers have the biggest impact! Juice, syrups, or sodas can add hundreds of calories. Soda water and fresh lime or herbs are better picks.
Is whiskey a bad idea if I’m counting calories?
Not necessarily! Straight whiskey or with a splash of soda can be reasonable. Avoid sweetened versions or cocktails like Old Fashioneds.
How can I make my drink healthier at a bar?
Keep it simple! Stick to clear spirits, avoid sugary mixers, and add fresh fruit or herbs for flavor.
Are there low-calorie options for sweet cocktail lovers?
Yep! Try a mojito without added sugar or a lightened-up version of a whiskey sour made with fresh lemon.
Can cocktails ever be low in sugar?
Yes, but it’s all about what you add. Use soda water, fresh ingredients, and sugar-free alternatives to keep things light.
Is it better to sip slowly to drink fewer calories?
Definitely! Sipping slower not only helps you stay mindful but lets you enjoy your drink longer without ordering another.
What’s the lowest-calorie option in a bar?
Usually, it’s a vodka soda with lime—no sugar, super light, and refreshing.
Does alcohol with zero percent sugar mean it’s low-calorie?
Nope! Some no-sugar drinks still have alcohol calories. Just keep an eye on the labels or stick to known low-cal options.
How many calories are in White Claw?
A white claw hard seltzer has 100 calories per 12-ounce can and a white claw 0% alcohol has only 15 calories per 12-ounce can. If you’re drinking in moderation and watching overall calories, White Claw can fit into a calorie-conscious diet.
Are there any sweet-tasting drinks under 150 calories?
Try a vodka soda with a splash of cranberry or grapefruit juice. It’s just enough sweetness without the calorie overload.
Does alcohol slow weight loss?
Unfortunately, yes. Your body prioritizes breaking down alcohol over burning fat, which can slow your progress.
What’s the best tip for enjoying a low-calorie night out?
Pace yourself, sip water between drinks, and go for simple, clean options like vodka soda or a dry wine. You’ll feel better tomorrow, too!
What alcohol has almost no calories?
It may come as a surprise but technically there are no low-calorie alcoholic drinks. Even Vodka, alcohol’s lowest calorie offering, has around 100 calories per shot!