1. Skinny Margarita
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz tequila (90 cal)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (20 cal)
- 1/2 oz agave nectar (30 cal)
- 2 oz club soda (0 cal)
- Ice
- Lime wedge (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a glass over ice.
- Top with club soda and garnish with a lime wedge.
History
A lighter take on the 1930s Margarita, this version cuts triple sec’s sugar, emerging in the 2000s health trend.
Tips
Use fresh lime juice for brightness—skip bottled versions. Total: ~140 cal.
2. Vodka Soda
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz vodka (96 cal)
- 4 oz club soda (0 cal)
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice (10 cal)
- Ice
- Lemon twist (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add vodka and lemon juice.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
History
A minimalist classic since the mid-20th century, it’s a go-to for its simplicity and low calorie count.
Tips
Infuse vodka with cucumber for flavor without calories. Total: ~106 cal.
3. Gin and Tonic Light
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz gin (96 cal)
- 4 oz diet tonic water (0 cal)
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (10 cal)
- Ice
- Lime wheel (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add gin and lime juice.
- Top with diet tonic water and stir.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
History
The G&T dates to 18th-century India; this lighter version uses diet tonic, popularized in the 1980s.
Tips
Choose a botanical gin for extra flavor. Total: ~106 cal.
4. Mojito Slim
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz white rum (96 cal)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (20 cal)
- 1 tsp stevia or 1/2 oz sugar-free syrup (0 cal)
- 4 oz club soda (0 cal)
- 8 mint leaves
- Ice
Instructions
- Muddle mint, lime juice, and stevia in a glass.
- Add ice and rum.
- Top with club soda and stir.
History
The Mojito’s Cuban roots go back to the 16th century; this slim version cuts sugar for modern diets.
Tips
Use fresh mint—don’t over-muddle. Total: ~116 cal.
5. Paloma Lite
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz tequila (90 cal)
- 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice (25 cal)
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (10 cal)
- 3 oz club soda (0 cal)
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice.
- Top with club soda and stir.
History
A Mexican staple since the 1950s, this lighter Paloma skips sugary soda.
Tips
Fresh grapefruit juice keeps it low-cal and vibrant. Total: ~125 cal.
6. Rum and Diet Coke
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz white rum (96 cal)
- 4 oz diet cola (0 cal)
- Ice
- Lime wedge (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add rum.
- Top with diet cola and stir.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
History
The Cuba Libre’s 1900s roots get a calorie cut with diet cola, a 1980s innovation.
Tips
Squeeze the lime for a zesty lift. Total: ~96 cal.
7. Spicy Michelada
Ingredients
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (20 cal)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (5 cal)
- 2 dashes hot sauce (0 cal)
- 12 oz light beer (100 cal)
- Ice
- Salt (for rim, optional)
Instructions
- Rim a glass with salt (optional).
- Add ice, lime juice, Worcestershire, and hot sauce.
- Top with light beer and stir gently.
History
A Mexican classic, the Michelada’s origins are murky, but this light version keeps the spice.
Tips
Use a low-cal light beer—adjust spice to taste. Total: ~125 cal.
8. Cucumber Gin Spritz
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz gin (96 cal)
- 4 cucumber slices (5 cal)
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (10 cal)
- 4 oz club soda (0 cal)
- Ice
Instructions
- Muddle cucumber and lime juice in a glass.
- Add ice and gin.
- Top with club soda and stir.
History
A modern spa-inspired twist on gin cocktails, popularized in the 2010s.
Tips
Add a mint sprig for extra freshness. Total: ~111 cal.
9. Tequila Sunrise Lite
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz tequila (90 cal)
- 3 oz fresh orange juice (40 cal)
- 1/2 oz sugar-free grenadine (5 cal)
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add tequila and orange juice, then stir.
- Slowly pour grenadine to sink to the bottom.
History
The 1970s Tequila Sunrise gets a low-cal makeover with sugar-free grenadine.
Tips
Use fresh OJ for the best flavor. Total: ~135 cal.
10. Whiskey Ginger
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz whiskey (105 cal)
- 4 oz diet ginger ale (0 cal)
- Ice
- Lemon twist (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add whiskey.
- Top with diet ginger ale and stir.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
History
A simple highball from the 19th century, updated with diet ginger ale for fewer calories.
Tips
A spicy diet ginger ale enhances the whiskey. Total: ~105 cal.
11. Light Bloody Mary
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz vodka (96 cal)
- 4 oz low-sodium tomato juice (25 cal)
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice (10 cal)
- 2 dashes hot sauce (0 cal)
- Pinch of celery salt
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add all ingredients and stir well.
History
From the 1920s, the Bloody Mary slims down with low-sodium juice for modern tastes.
Tips
Add a celery stalk for crunch, not calories. Total: ~131 cal.
12. Sea Breeze Slim
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz vodka (96 cal)
- 2 oz light cranberry juice (20 cal)
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice (15 cal)
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice.
- Stir well.
History
A 1950s classic, the Sea Breeze lightens up with reduced-sugar juice.
Tips
Use fresh grapefruit for a tart edge. Total: ~131 cal.
13. Low-Cal Daiquiri
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz white rum (96 cal)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (20 cal)
- 1 tsp stevia or 1/2 oz sugar-free syrup (0 cal)
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add rum, lime juice, and stevia.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
History
From 1890s Cuba, the Daiquiri slims down by swapping sugar for stevia.
Tips
Blend with ice for a frozen treat. Total: ~116 cal.
14. Spritz Light
Ingredients
- 1 oz Aperol (70 cal)
- 3 oz club soda (0 cal)
- 1 oz fresh orange juice (15 cal)
- Ice
- Orange slice (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add Aperol and orange juice.
- Top with club soda and stir.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
History
A lighter take on the 1950s Italian Aperol Spritz, cutting prosecco for fewer calories.
Tips
Use fresh OJ for a natural sweetness. Total: ~85 cal.
15. Rum Spritzer
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz white rum (96 cal)
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice (10 cal)
- 4 oz club soda (0 cal)
- Ice
- Lemon slice (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add rum and lemon juice.
- Top with club soda and stir.
- Garnish with a lemon slice.
History
A simple spritzer style from the 20th century, this keeps rum’s flavor light.
Tips
Try a flavored rum like coconut for variety. Total: ~106 cal.
