Low Calorie Drinks at the Bar: Stop Drinking Junk Now

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Needless to say, it’s easy to underestimate the number of calories in liquids. This is because these calories are unassuming and highly difficult to track. And before you even realized it, you’ve sipped over 1,000-1,500 calories on your happy hour alone. Looking for low-calorie drinks at the bar should be easy after reading through.

Now that’s not so inspiring considering that you might also eat something afterward. In most cases, the social drinking habit of a person can be the lifestyle factor restricting them from living a healthy and fit life.

According to expert advice, if you want to limit your calorie intake while drinking, then you need to choose what you don’t like drinking. However, absurd that may sound, we’ll break it down for you so that you can understand clearly.

Low Calorie Alcoholic Drinks

Light Beer

Light beer is a popular low-calorie option available at most bars. It typically contains around 90-110 calories per 12-ounce serving.

Wine

Dry wines, both white and red, are relatively low in calories. A 5-ounce serving of dry white or red wine typically contains about 100-120 calories.

Spirits

Spirits like vodka, gin, rum, and tequila are relatively low in calories, with about 64 calories per 1-ounce serving. However, be careful with mixers as they can quickly add up in calories.

Cocktails

Some cocktails can be made in a lower-calorie version. For example, a mojito made with sugar-free syrup or a margarita made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar can be lower in calories.

Low Calorie Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Sparkling Water

Sparkling water is a great low-calorie option at the bar. It contains zero calories and can be enjoyed plain or with a splash of lemon or lime.

Diet Soda

Diet soda is another zero-calorie option available at most bars. However, be mindful of the artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas as they may not be suitable for everyone.

Iced Tea

Unsweetened iced tea is a refreshing low-calorie option. It contains zero calories and can be enjoyed plain or with a slice of lemon.

Fruit Infused Water

Water infused with fresh fruits like berries, cucumber, or citrus fruits is a flavorful and low-calorie option.

Tips for Mindful Drinking

Watch Your Portion Sizes

Be mindful of the portion sizes of your drinks. A standard serving of alcohol is 1.5 ounces of spirits, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer.

Be Careful with Mixers

Mixers like soda, juice, and pre-made cocktail mixers can be high in calories and sugar. Opt for diet sodas, sugar-free syrups, or fresh fruit juices to keep the calorie count low.

Stay Hydrated

Make sure to drink water throughout the night to stay hydrated. Alternate between alcoholic drinks and water or other non-alcoholic beverages.

Pace Yourself

Drink slowly and pace yourself throughout the night. This will help you stay in control and be mindful of your alcohol and calorie intake.

FAQs

• Are there any zero-calorie alcoholic drinks? There are no zero-calorie alcoholic drinks as alcohol itself contains calories. However, there are low-calorie options like light beer, dry wine, and spirits.
• What are some low-calorie mixers? Some low-calorie mixers include diet soda, sugar-free syrups, and fresh fruit juices.
• How can I make my favorite cocktail lower in calories? You can make your favorite cocktail lower in calories by using sugar-free syrups, diet sodas, or fresh fruit juices as mixers. Also, consider using less alcohol or opting for a smaller serving size.

Calories Found in the Top 3 Mixed Drinks

When trying to keep fit or lose weight, we are mostly concerned about the portion size of what’s on our plates. While that is a good thing, the portion we drink is also a great determinant of how many calories we also take.

Here, we’ll look at the top 3 mixed drinks in typical bars that are most requested. The aim is to show how many calories each of these drinks contain.

1. Margarita

Calories: 740

Carbohydrates: 56 grams

Ingredients: 4 ounces of tequila, 1/3 ounces of triple sec, and 4 ounces of limeade

Margarita is by far one of the most requested mixed drinks in most bars. It contains different ingredients as broken down above, which makes the drink perfect for a hot day.

But as you can see, the calorie count on a Margarita is also too high than most drinks.

2. White Russian

Calories: 425

Carbohydrates: 26 grams

Ingredients: 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ½ ounces of heavy cream, and 1 ½ ounces of coffee liqueur

Due to the heavy cream, you can easily tell that the white Russian is filled with calories. However, the tasty nature of this drink might consume your judgment as well. Note that almost all creamy drinks are rich in calories.

3. Mojito

Calories: 160

Carbohydrates: 12 grams

Ingredients: 2-3 ounces of rum, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar, club soda, and fresh mint leaves.

Mojito is a pretty popular mixed drink in most bars around the country. But like the first three options, Mojito is also full of calories, which means you need to take caution on the portion you consume.

15 Low Calorie Drinks at the Bar

Knowing now just how calorie-rich some of your favorite mixed drinks can be, here are the top 15 low-calorie drinks at the bar you can replace them with.

1. Light beer

Calorie: 103

Unlike most regular beers, light beers usually contain about 50 fewer calories, which makes them great options if you are trying to limit your calorie intake.

2. Vodka soda with lemon

Calorie: 96

Being a liquor-based drink, it’s easier to sip small portions of vodka soda with lemon. And considering that it features a low-calorie count, this drink will help you save lots of calories.

3. Sparkling wine

Calorie: about 85-100 per standard 4-ounce serving

If you love wine but are afraid of the calories, then try sparkling wine because it contains less calories.

4. Gin and Diet Tonic

Calorie: about 75

This is not as popular as diet coke but contains less calories and can be a great alternative.

5. Mojito without the syrup

Calorie: not more than 100

Standard mojitos usually contain about 160 calories as detailed above. But without the syrup, you can enjoy this drink with lesser calories.

6. Light bloody Mary

Calorie: less than 100

Not only does this drink have less calories, but it’s also a healthy option.

7. Rosé

Calorie: 120

To ensure that you don’t consume too much calorie when ordering a glass of rosé, ensure that it isn’t too sweet.

8. Kombucha with vodka

Calorie: 90

This is a fermented health drink that’s good for your health due to its probiotic content.

9. Hot toddy

Calorie: less than 150

This cocktail is made with hot water, honey, bourbon, a pinch of cinnamon, and lemon. It’s perfect for the cold winter season.

10. Vodka soda

Calorie: 65

If you want to enjoy a refreshing alcohol drink that won’t mess up your waistline, then vodka soda is the drink for you.

11. Amaro

Calorie: 75

Made of barks, herbs, and other natural ingredients, this is a healthy and refreshing drink for any occasion.

12. Champagne

Calorie: 96

Low sugar content, making champagne great for dieting.

13. White wine

Calorie: 121

This is an easy low-calorie drink that’s sweet for any occasion.

14. Sea breeze

Calorie: 165

The sea breeze is a healthy and low-calorie fruit drink if you are into natural beverages.

15. Martini

Calorie: 128

Martini is a popular option in most clubs and it’s also a low-calorie cocktail.

Conclusion

Enjoying a night out at the bar doesn’t mean you have to consume a lot of calories. There are plenty of low-calorie drinks at a bar, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Be mindful of your portion sizes, be careful with mixers, stay hydrated, and pace yourself throughout the night. With these tips in mind, you can enjoy a night out while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

If you’re a health nut like me, having a healthy habits list is a great way to stay on track. Do you need one?