If you’re looking for easy and refreshing drink recipes you can enjoy when the weather is hot, these ideas will inspire you! We’ve curated a list of our favorite low calorie cocktails and mocktails that will allow you to indulge in a drink (or 3) without completely sabotaging your weight loss and fitness goals. Say goodbye to boring vodka sodas and tequila on the rocks and give some of these summer drinks under 200 calories a try!
4 Tips for Making Low Calorie Cocktails
Choose healthier mixers
Many alcoholic beverages are typically high in empty calories thanks to all of the flavour-enhancing mixers they contain. When you drink a high calorie cocktail, your body becomes more focused on breaking down the alcohol rather than burning fat, which can slow down your metabolism and halt your weight loss progress. If you want to indulge in a cocktail without stalling your weight loss efforts, pay attention to the mixers you are using. Here are some healthy substitutes to consider:
- Sparkling water for sodas
- Soda water for tonic
- Lemon juice for lemonade
- Frozen watermelon for frozen cocktail mixers
- Freshly squeezed juice for sugary store bought options
Stick with alcohol that is low in calories
If you’re on the hunt for summer drinks under 200 calories, you probably already know that certain types of alcohol are higher in calories than others. Try to stick with cocktails that use vodka, whiskey, gin, and tequila, and if you’re making sangria or a wine spritzer, opt for red wine over white.
Say yes to bubbles
While you probably don’t need an excuse to pop a bottle of bubbly, champagne and sparkling wine are low in calories, making them an excellent base if you’re trying to make summer drinks under 200 calories. And if you can afford it, ‘ultra brut’ champagne is an even better option as it contains no added sugar, which means it’s even lower in calories than your standard bottle of bubbles.
Opt for a mocktail
While I believe it is possible to drink alcohol without compromising your weight loss journey, it ultimately comes down to how important your goals are to you. If you are the kind of person who can have one or 2 drinks and call it a night, a few cocktails here and there probably won’t halt your weight loss progress. But if you’re a ‘go big or go home’ kind of person, it may be better to abstain from alcohol until you’ve reached your goal weight. Thankfully, there are tons of mocktails under 300 calories (see below!) that hit the spot without adding empty calories to your diet and lowering your inhibitions.
15 Boozy Summer Drinks Under 200 Calories
Skinny Cuban Mojito | skinnytaste
Skinny Sangria Spritzer | Take Two Tapas
Fresh Lime Margarita | Taste of Home
Healthier Bloody Mary | Verywell Fit
Sugar Free Moscow Mule | I Breathe I’m Hungry
Skinny Orange Crush | Chef Saavy
Skinny Paloma | Eating Bird Food
Red Wine Spritzer | Jennifer Meyering
Low-Calorie Peach Bellini | Fit Bottomed Girls
Mudslide Cocktail | The Spruce Eats
Aperol Spritz | SHAPE
Skinny Bloody Mary | The Almond Eater
Hard Cider Mimosa | Take Two Tapas
Sour Apple Martini | Better Homes and Gardens
Refreshing Rosé Spritzer | A Couple Cooks
15 Non-Alcoholic Summer Drinks Under 200 Calories
Sparkling Raspberry Limeade Mocktail | Low Carb Yum
Grape-Pineapple Mint Fizz | Eating Well
Lemon Cucumber Mint Sparkler | Fluffy Chix Cook
Citrus Strawberry Mocktail | Play Party Plan
New Mother Mocktail | Culinary Hill
Virgin Frozen Margarita | taste & tell
Frozen Peach Bellini Mocktail | Spicy Southern Kitchen
Mango Ginger Lemonade | Cook with Manali
Skinny Virgin Mojito | Simply Gluten Free
Coconut Fizz Mocktail | Women’s Health
Apple Pie Moscow Mule | The Cookie Rookie
Non-Alcoholic Sangria | I Heart Naptime
Watermelon Mint Lemonade | Healthy Beat
Designated Appletini Mocktail | The Spruce Eats
Virgin Sunset | allrecipes
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to enjoy a few cocktails or mocktails without completely erasing all of your weight loss efforts. By choosing the right types of alcohol, swapping out high calorie mixers for healthier substitutes, and taking the time to really enjoy your beverage of choice, you can indulge without the bulge! Remember to drink ample H2O to stay hydrated, and enjoy these summer drinks under 200 calories!