10 Low Calorie Cocktails Perfect for Sipping All Summer Long
Made with ingredients like your favorite seltzer, fresh fruit, and natural sweeteners.
It’s finally (dare I say it?) warm here in Boston. We’ve waited long enough for this weather—and with the long weekend coming up, there’s no better way to celebrate than by spending time with a couple good friends sipping cocktails outside.
If you’re trying to make it through the weekend without a nasty hangover, try making one of these low calorie cocktails. Made with ingredients like seltzer, fresh fruit, and natural sweetener, these drinks won’t leave you feeling too heavy or bloated. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Cheers!
1. Grilled Mango Habanero Margaritas
Via Wicked Spatula
This margarita captures the flavor of summer with the extra smokiness from the grilled mango. It’s sweetened only with the mango and a squeeze of honey.
2. Blackberry Mint Mojitos
Via Tastes Lovely
To make the blueberry syrup, you’ll need a fine mesh sieve to strain the blueberry and water puree. If you don’t have fresh blackberries, you can use frozen.
3. Sriracha and Wasabi Bloody Mary
Via Bird and Cleaver
Wasabi and sriracha add extra spice to this twist on a bloody mary. Garnish the bloody mary with olives, celery, or deviled eggs.
4. Skinny Strawberry Lime Spritzer
Via Peas and Crayons
Lime seltzer, strawberry vodka, and fresh strawberries are all you need to make this simple drink. When buying the vodka, make sure you don’t buy one that’s only flavored, not sweetened.
5. Watermelon Margarita
Via Sugar and Charm
This refreshing cocktail uses fresh watermelon and orange juice. Instead of salt, this recipe recommends using sugar to coat the rim because it complements the watermelon flavor better.
6. Cucumber Cooler Cocktails
Via Minimalist Baker
For gin lovers, this is a refreshing twist on the gin and tonic with the addition of mint and cucumber. To lower the sugar content, you can also make this cocktail with club soda instead of tonic.
7. Honey Bee Martini
Via Marla Meridith
Coconut vodka, lavender honey, and lemon are used to make this refreshing drink. Chill the glasses beforehand and garnish the cocktail with lavender sprigs and lemon wheels.
8. Blueberry Mint Fizz
Via Waiting on Martha
The ice cubes in this cocktail recipe—made out of blueberries, mint, and grape juice—give it an elegant look and provides some slight sweetness. If you decide to not use the grape juice, a touch of simple syrup or St. Germain liquor will do the trick.
9. Skinny Colada
Via Everyday Maven
This lighter version of a piña colada contains all the flavor, but won’t make you feel as full. Instead of coconut milk, coconut water is used.
10. Pomegranate Paloma
Via Cooking Light
Grapefruit, ginger, pomegranate, and lime are used in this refreshing summer drink. For a smoky flavor, try using mezcal instead of tequila.