Whether you always stick to your New Year’s resolution or have trouble dedicating yourself past January 2, it’s always intimidating to start the month with a massive burden on your shoulders. But if you can’t quite commit to dry January, there are still ways to enjoy cocktails without completely breaking your diet. Here, eight drinks that are lower in calories and sugar than most. Go ahead and sip them guilt-free.
Not only is the Bloody Mary low in calories but, if you use pure, natural tomato juice, it’s actually a fairly healthy cocktail. Plus, spice is good for detoxing, so the more flavor you layer in, the better it will taste and make you feel.
The Essentials
Vodka
Tomato Juice
Worcestershire Sauce
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This smoky Highball may seem like a simple pleasure, but perfecting it is actually a complex process. When made right, though, this sugarless cocktail is downright decadent.
The Essentials
Japanese Whiskey
Soda Water
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A Margarita still contains some caloric sugar, thanks to naturally sweet agave, but when mixed correctly with fresh lime juice and just a half ounce of nectar, you’ll get your sweet fix without completely breaking your diet.
The Essentials
Blanco Tequila
Lime Juice
Agave Nectar
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We love La Croix sodas because they deliver a punch of flavor without any sugar or artificial sweeteners. Made with spicy green chile vodka and sweet, tangy blackberry liqueur, this satisfying Highball tastes way more decadent than it actually is.
The Essentials
Green Chile Vodka
Crème de Mûre
Muré Pepino La Croix
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Sure, Martinis are higher in alcohol calories than some classics, but they’re low in sugar and carbs, especially if you take yours dirty. By cutting the vermouth in half and replacing it with olive brine, you have a satisfying drink that will probably get you nicely buzzed after just one.
The Essentials
Gin
Dry Vermouth
Olive Brine
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Even if you’re on a diet, you can surely spare a single sugar cube. Other than that, the Old Fashioned is simply a mix of bitters and whiskey, which is stiff but not overly heavy.
The Essentials
Whiskey
bitters
sugar cube
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Save for a touch of simple syrup, the Sazerac is all booze—and the strong stuff, at that. Whip one up and you probably won’t even need a second cocktail.
The Essentials
Rye
Absinthe
Bitters
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Green juice is the king of the health movement, and this spiked version from NYC’s Chalk Point Kitchen is the perfect (healthy-ish) way to get your buzz on. If you don’t feel like juicing all the veggies yourself, simply add booze to your favorite juice bar concoction.
The Essentials
lime juice
kale juice
Absolut Apple vodka
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