The Best Low Calorie Cocktails

By now the fad diets we experimented with in light of our New Years resolutions are going out the window, and instead of rigid guidelines we've decided to just start being more health conscious. That means watching what we eat and being aware of what's in it.

But what about our drinks? 

It's easy to rule out certain calorie ridden foods from our diet and completely overlook the amount of sugar and calories we consume when we go out for drinks after work. If you're looking to be more calorie wise in your beverages, the first rule of thumb is to avoid all of those fancy drinks made with cream and fruit flavoring. Daiquiris and pina coladas, for example, are particularly high in sugar and calories. 

To help you out next time you're in the club, here are our top 5 picks for low cal alcoholic bevvies:

Mojito
Crushed mint sprigs, fresh lime juice, rum, club soda. A delicious citrus treat that clocks in at only 160 calories and 15 grams of sugar.There's just the right amount of fruity flavor without too much sweetness, plus the mint is a refreshing twist. 

Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary is a cocktail classic and a great choice for people who like a bit of a kick. Vodka, tomato juice, and Worcestershire are the main components of the Bloody Mary and in combination they equal around 150 calories and 10 grams of sugar. 

Cosmopolitan
The Cosmo became a popular drink of choice for 20-something single women who wanted to emulate Carrie Bradshaw and co in Sex & The City. Years afterward, ladies still love it and lucky for them it's low in calories. To reduce the calories even more try substituting the cranberry juice with Crystal Light.  

Vodka Soda
A simple, no fuss or frills drink you can sit back and relax with, not having to worry about how much sugar or fat you're ingesting. Just add diet soda to a couple shots of vodka and you're good to go!

Water
Okay, so it's not a cocktail. And it's not very exciting, either. But sticking to water when you're just hanging out with friends is not a bad idea. Either that or have vodka water with lemon or lime, at about 98 calories per vodka shot this is a smart option for the diet conscious.

Image from MorgueFile

Courtney Gilmour
		About the author:
		Courtney is a published writer, stand-up comic, and shameless Internet enthusiast. She holds a double bachelors degree in English Literature and Communication Media Studies, specializing in semiotic theory, however she doesn't get Shakespeare and has never won a game of Scrabble. Currently she lives in Toronto and works as a writer for WOMAN.CA.
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