Ask a bartender what drink they pour more than any other on a Friday night, and the resounding answer is often (begrudgingly) the Vodka Soda. The fallback order for anyone counting calories, the flavor deprived shot of vodka topped with club soda is wholly uninspired. Though there are ways to spruce up the drink, youβre better off ordering a more interesting cocktail to begin withβand there are plenty that also hover around 130 calories. Thatβs right, the Vodka Soda isnβt the only diet-friendly cocktailβin fact, a couple of these cocktails are even better for your waistline.
Entertaining
5 Cocktails With as Few Calories as a Vodka Soda
With only about 10 more calories than a Vodka Soda, the Whisky Skin is a perfect way to stave off dessert cravings. Essentially the Gaelic version of a Hot Toddy, the Whisky Skin is an amalgam of scotch, a teaspoon of demerara sugar and piping hot water, with an expressed lemon peel for added zest. Itβs as warming as a cup of cocoa, but wonβt inspire any of the calorie-induced guilt.
The Essentials
Vodka has marginally less calories than other spirits, so swapping it out for scotch will amount to essentially no caloric difference. The same goes for gin, tequila and other whiskies, but flavorful, smoky scotch is our favorite way to give a basic Highball a little more oomph. Just donβt be tempted to use tonic water instead of soda waterβtonic packs an additional 10 calories per ounce, plus added sugar, compared to its neutral, zero-calorie counterpart. Thatβs about 50 calories of tonic in your average G&T.
The Essentials
Another cocktail with a nearly identical calorie count to the Vodka Soda, the Americano is an ideal summer aperitivo for those trying to maintain a beach bod. Essentially a bubbly version of the Negroni without the gin, the Americano tops Campari and sweet vermouth with soda water. And thanks to its low-ABV, youβll still feel up for hitting the gym at night, even if youβve had one or two of these with lunch.
The Essentials
Champagne is a great go-to booze for anyone trying to drink healthier (some studies even say that itβs good for your heart). And adding a splash of orange juice certainly wonβt hurt your efforts. At approximately 116 calories, the Mimosa is still slimmer than the Vodka Sodaβthough we canβt say the same if you drink it in bottomless proportions at brunch alongside a heaping plate of eggs benedict. But hey, lifeβs all about balance.
The Essentials
The Essentials
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