Come January 1, we oftentimes have the same train of thought going on — we want to be a bit healthier, but we don’t necessarily want to give up our alcohol fix. As much as our resolutions mean to us, giving up happy hours and social outings isn’t the kind of sacrifice we’re looking to make. Plus, cutting out parties with friends and staying home seems like a surefire way to forget your initial goal of improving your health by not drinking in the first place.
But who says you have to? Staying healthy and retaining our New Year’s resolutions is a year round affair, meaning the key to achieving our goals come December 31 is making small, healthy swaps wherever possible. As such, when keeping your health in mind while out at dinner or cramming around a table at your favorite dive, consider opting for low calorie bar drinks.
Just because you’re watching your calories doesn’t mean drinking has to be boring, however. From beer, to wine, to mixed drinks, there’s something for everyone when it comes to sourcing healthier options on a night out. We’ve compiled a list of seven low calorie drinks to order at a bar. Any bar you may find yourself in, even your local dive.
Rum and Diet Coke
Well drinks are great. They’re easy to drink, hard to mess up, and always affordable during happy hour. However, the killer of well drinks is the sugary mixers that bartenders use to create your concoction. Swapping out the standard cola for diet soda in your rum and Coke will reduce calories by half, resulting in a delicious low calorie mixed drink to order at a bar.
Approximate calorie count: 64.
Gin and Diet Tonic
Similarly to a rum and Coke, swapping out calorie-dense mixers in your gin drinks will make a world of difference in your alcohol calorie consumption. While diet tonic is certainly less popular than Diet Coke, we’d highly recommend taking advantage of the situation if you find yourself at a bar that offers it and slurping down a gin and diet tonic.
Approximate calorie count: 75.
Sparkling Wine
Low calorie drinks at bars aren’t always mixed drinks. For all our wine lovers watching their health, sparkling wine clocks in at a lower calorie count than its red and white cousins. And we’re not complaining — bubbles are the most fun to drink anyway.
Approximate calorie count per standard 4-ounce serving: 85-100.
Light Beer
We know, we know, light beer is never as good as the regular stuff. However, if you’re planning on throwing back multiple pints, doing so with most craft or regular beers could run you over 800 calories. Stick with Miller Light, Michelob Ultra, or good old Natty Light to stay under 100 calories.
Approximate calorie count per 12-ounce serving: 95-99.
Vodka Soda
Ah, yes, the Vodka Soda. The classic well drink for those looking to simultaneously watch their waistlines while still enjoying the inebriating effects of alcohol. The nightlife staple can easily be swapped out for other spirits options like tequila or gin, which result in other low calorie mixed drinks at bars.
Approximate calorie count: 65.
Red Bull and Sugar-Free Vodka
Picking up on the theme here? Zero. Calorie. Mixers. Though we wouldn’t recommend drinking more than one or two of these in a night, lest you give yourself a heart attack, Red Bull and Sugar-Free Vodka can save you the 150 calories a serving that comes from standard Red Bull.
Approximate calorie count: 64.
Amaro
Amaro is one of our favorite things to drink right now. These after-dinner digestifs take neutral spirits and macerate them in herbs, barks, and other natural flavors to create deliciously refreshing spirits. Some of our favorites are Braulio, Cynar, and Averna, though countless others worth trying line back bars nationwide.
Approximate calorie count: 75.
