Celebrate Valentine’s Day with delicious cocktails that don’t compromise your healthy lifestyle. These 18 low-calorie cocktails are perfect for toasting to love while keeping the calories in check. Here’s how to make them!
1. Skinny Strawberry Margarita
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces of tequila
- 1/2 ounce of triple sec
- 1 ounce of fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup of pureed strawberries
- 1 teaspoon of agave syrup
- Ice cubes
- Salt for rimming (optional)
Instructions:
- Rim a glass with salt if desired and set aside.
- In a shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, strawberry puree, and agave syrup with ice.
- Shake well and strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
History:
The margarita, a classic Mexican cocktail, gets a fresh twist with pureed strawberries and a low-calorie makeover by using agave syrup instead of sugar.
Tips:
Use fresh, ripe strawberries for maximum flavor. Skip the agave syrup for an even lower-calorie option.
2. Love Light Spritzer
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of sparkling water
- 1/4 cup of white wine
- 1/4 cup of fresh grapefruit juice
- Grapefruit wedge for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Add sparkling water, white wine, and grapefruit juice.
- Stir gently and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
History:
The spritzer, a European staple, is loved for its light and bubbly nature. This version adds a romantic twist with fresh grapefruit juice.
Tips:
Opt for a dry white wine to keep the calorie count low. Add a sprig of rosemary for a fragrant garnish.
3. Raspberry Lime Mojito
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces of white rum
- 1/2 ounce of lime juice
- 6 fresh raspberries
- 6 mint leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey
- Club soda
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Muddle raspberries, mint leaves, lime juice, and honey in a glass.
- Fill the glass with ice and pour in the rum.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
History:
The mojito, originally from Cuba, is known for its refreshing combination of mint and lime. Adding raspberries makes it a perfect Valentine’s treat.
Tips:
Use a sugar-free sweetener to lower the calorie count further. Garnish with a mint sprig and a raspberry for extra flair.
4. Skinny Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces of vodka
- 1/2 ounce of triple sec
- 1/2 ounce of cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
History:
Popularized in the 1990s, the Cosmopolitan is a timeless cocktail. This lighter version uses unsweetened cranberry juice for fewer calories.
Tips:
Garnish with a twist of lime peel for an elegant presentation. Use flavored vodka (like citrus) for added depth without additional calories.
5. Grapefruit Gin Fizz
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce of gin
- 1/2 ounce of fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce of lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey
- Club soda
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine gin, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and honey with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
History:
The Gin Fizz, a 19th-century favorite, is reimagined with grapefruit juice for a zesty and romantic twist.
Tips:
Use sparkling water instead of club soda for a different level of fizz. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit for a pop of color.
6. Cucumber Mint Cooler
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces of vodka
- 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey
- 3 slices of cucumber
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- Club soda
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Muddle cucumber slices, mint leaves, lime juice, and honey in a glass.
- Fill the glass with ice and add vodka.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
History:
This refreshing cocktail is a modern twist on classic vodka sodas, incorporating cucumber and mint for a spa-like Valentine’s drink.
Tips:
Use a cucumber-infused vodka for extra flavor. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon for an elegant touch.
7. Sparkling Cranberry Kiss
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of sparkling water
- 1/4 cup of cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 1 ounce of vodka
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add vodka and cranberry juice, then top with sparkling water.
- Stir gently and garnish with fresh cranberries.
History:
This light and fizzy cocktail is inspired by the classic vodka cranberry, elevated with a low-calorie sparkling twist.
Tips:
Swap vodka with gin or tequila for a different flavor profile. Freeze the cranberries beforehand to keep the drink chilled.
8. Love Potion Mocktail
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of sparkling water
- 1/4 cup of pomegranate juice
- 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Combine pomegranate juice and orange juice in the glass.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
History:
Mocktails have gained popularity as non-alcoholic alternatives. This romantic mix of pomegranate and orange juice is perfect for Valentine’s celebrations.
Tips:
For an extra touch, rim the glass with pink sugar. Serve in a champagne flute for a sophisticated look.
9. Skinny Bellini
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of prosecco
- 1/4 cup of peach puree
- Peach slice for garnish
Instructions:
- Pour peach puree into a champagne flute.
- Top with prosecco and stir gently.
- Garnish with a peach slice.
History:
The Bellini, invented in Venice, Italy, is a classic brunch cocktail. This version skips added sugars to keep it light and low-calorie.
Tips:
Use frozen peach puree for a colder drink. Opt for a dry prosecco to keep the calorie count low.
10. Light Lavender Lemonade
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce of vodka
- 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of lavender syrup (sugar-free)
- Club soda
- Ice cubes
- Lavender sprig for garnish
Instructions:
- In a glass filled with ice, combine vodka, lemon juice, and lavender syrup.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lavender sprig.
History:
Lemonade cocktails are versatile and refreshing. The addition of lavender brings a floral note, perfect for romantic occasions.
Tips:
Use fresh lavender for garnish to enhance the aroma. Adjust the lavender syrup to suit your sweetness preference.
11. Watermelon Cooler
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of watermelon chunks
- 1 ounce of vodka
- 1/2 ounce of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- Club soda
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Blend watermelon chunks into a smooth puree.
- In a shaker, combine watermelon puree, vodka, lime juice, and honey with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
History:
This summer-inspired cocktail is adapted for Valentine’s Day with its vibrant pink color and light flavor.
Tips:
Use a seedless watermelon for convenience. Garnish with a small watermelon heart for added charm.
12. Blood Orange Sparkler
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of sparkling water
- 1/4 cup of fresh blood orange juice
- 1 ounce of vodka
- Blood orange slice for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Combine vodka and blood orange juice in the glass.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a slice of blood orange.
History:
The striking hue of blood oranges makes them a popular ingredient in cocktails. This sparkling version is light and perfect for a Valentine’s toast.
Tips:
Use freshly squeezed blood orange juice for the best flavor. Add a sprig of thyme for an herbal garnish.
13. Rosewater Gin and Tonic
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces of gin
- 1/4 teaspoon of rosewater
- Tonic water
- Rose petals for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add gin and rosewater to the glass.
- Top with tonic water and stir gently.
- Garnish with edible rose petals.
History:
The classic gin and tonic, a British favorite, is elevated with a touch of rosewater for a romantic Valentine’s twist.
Tips:
Use a premium tonic water to enhance the drink’s flavor. Add a few drops of pink food coloring for a festive hue.
14. Cherry Lime Spritzer
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce of vodka
- 1/2 cup of sparkling water
- 1/4 cup of fresh cherry juice
- 1/2 ounce of lime juice
- Cherries and lime wheel for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Combine vodka, cherry juice, and lime juice in the glass.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish with cherries and a lime wheel.
History:
Cherries and lime create a timeless pairing, and this spritzer offers a low-calorie way to enjoy their vibrant flavors together.
Tips:
Freeze cherries to use as edible ice cubes. Replace vodka with gin for a different taste.
15. Passionfruit Sparkle
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of sparkling water
- 1/4 cup of fresh passionfruit pulp
- 1 ounce of white rum
- Passionfruit slice for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Combine rum and passionfruit pulp in the glass.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a slice of passionfruit.
History:
Passionfruit is celebrated for its tropical flavor and vibrant appearance, making it an ideal choice for Valentine’s Day cocktails.
Tips:
Use a spoon to scoop out fresh passionfruit pulp for the best taste. Serve in a coupe glass for a more elegant presentation.
16. Vanilla Almond Latte Martini
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce of vodka
- 1/2 ounce of almond milk
- 1/2 ounce of cold brew coffee
- 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Ice cubes
- Shaved dark chocolate for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine vodka, almond milk, cold brew coffee, vanilla extract, and ice.
- Shake well and strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with shaved dark chocolate.
History:
This latte-inspired martini offers a creamy, indulgent flavor while remaining dairy-free and low-calorie.
Tips:
Use unsweetened almond milk to keep the calories low. Add a dash of cinnamon for an extra warming note.
17. Raspberry Rosé Cooler
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of rosé wine
- 1/4 cup of sparkling water
- 1/4 cup of fresh raspberries
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add rosé wine and raspberries to the glass.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
History:
Rosé wine is a classic choice for romantic occasions, and this cooler makes it even more refreshing with sparkling water and fresh fruit.
Tips:
Use frozen raspberries to chill the drink without diluting it. Garnish with a sprig of mint for a pop of color.
18. Pomegranate Martini
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces of vodka
- 1/2 ounce of triple sec
- 1 ounce of fresh pomegranate juice
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine vodka, triple sec, pomegranate juice, and ice.
- Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
History:
Pomegranate martinis are a modern favorite, loved for their sweet-tart flavor and beautiful presentation.
Tips:
Use unsweetened pomegranate juice for fewer calories. Add a lime twist for extra flair.
With these 18 low-calorie Valentine cocktails, you can toast to love without guilt. Here’s to a happy, healthy Valentine’s Day!
