SHANDY
77 calories per serving
Popular in the United Kingdom, where it’s also known as a Shandygaff, this cocktail is usually made of equal parts beer and carbonated lemonade. If you can’t find sparkling lemonade in your grocery store, you can also use a lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite or Diet Sprite. It’s really quite refreshing and fun! Serves 3
12 ounces very cold light beer, such as Bud Light
12 ounces very cold sparkling lemonade
Ice cubes
3 thin slices of lemon, for garnish
3 fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
In a pitcher, combine the beer and lemonade.
Fill 3 chilled tall glasses with ice cubes and divide the drink among the glasses. Garnish with a lemon slice and a fresh mint sprig, if desired, and serve.
Substitute sparkling blood orange juice for the sparkling lemonade.
Substitute orange juice for the sparkling lemonade.
EL LUCHADOR
102 calories per serving
It is said that this cocktail will give you the strength of the famous Mexican wrestlers, the luchadores, whom the drink is named after—or you can just kick back and imbibe while watching them on TV. This cocktail is best served in a chilled, frosty glass. Serves 1
4 ounces very cold Clamato juice
6 ounces very cold Corona Light
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Few dashes of Tabasco sauce or your favorite hot sauce
Pinch of ground cumin
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of kosher salt
Ice cubes (optional)
In a chilled glass, combine the Clamato, beer, lime and orange juices, hot sauce, cumin, black pepper, and salt into the glass. Stir well. Add ice cubes, if desired.
MICHELADA
64 calories per serving
This beer-based cocktail—always served in a salt-rimmed glass—is a Mexican classic that many believe to be a remedy for hangovers. Regardless, it is a perfect cocktail to sip by the pool or in front of the TV on game day! Serves 2
Kosher salt or sea salt
Juice of 4 limes (about 2 ounces), rinds reserved
Ice cubes
12 ounces very cold Corona Light
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 dashes of hot sauce, or more if you like it spicier
2 pinches of freshly ground black pepper
Place enough salt in a wide, shallow dish to cover the bottom. Rub the rim of 2 rocks glasses with the lime rinds and dip the glasses into the salt. Fill the glasses with ice cubes and set aside.
In a small pitcher, combine the lime juice, beer, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce and stir well. Pour the drinks into the prepared glasses, top with a pinch of pepper, and serve.
Float 1 ounce of silver tequila on the top of the Michelada. (calories: 128)
GIN GIMLET
140 calories per serving
A 1928 description of the gimlet reads: “gin, a spot of lime, and soda.” That means it’s naturally low calorie! However, somewhere along the way, Rose’s Lime Juice—a sweetened bottled lime juice that contains 10 calories per teaspoon—replaced fresh lime juice and increased the sweetness of this drink and also its calorie content. Fresh lime juice and simple syrup add a fresher, less sweet flavor to this “old school” libation and make it much more figure friendly. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1½ ounces best-quality gin
Finely grated zest and juice of ½ lime
Lime wedge, for garnish
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, and then add the gin, lime zest and juice, and simple syrup. Stir for 5 seconds, and then strain into a cocktail glass.
Squeeze the lime wedge into the glass and add the lime wedge to the glass, and serve.
Replace the 1½ ounces of gin with 1½ ounces of good-quality vodka or white rum.
MULLED RED WINE
127 calories per serving
What could be cozier than a toasty mug of mulled wine on a cold winter night? This classic cocktail has been warming people for centuries and is a sophisticated low-calorie alternative to creamy spiked coffees and hot chocolates. Plus, let’s not overlook the heart-healthy benefits of red wine! Serves 6
1 bottle fruity red wine, such as merlot
½ cup water
½ orange, thinly sliced
1 small lemon, halved and thinly sliced
1 pear, halved and thinly sliced
3 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
4 whole cloves
In a medium nonreactive saucepan set over medium heat, combine the wine, water, orange slices, lemon slices, pear slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. Bring to a simmer and cook until fragrant, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the stove, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes. Serve in heatproof mugs or wine glasses.
MIMOSA
103 calories per serving
What would brunch be without the mimosa? Cutting back on the amount of orange juice and sparkling wine makes this version very calorie friendly. You can also use low-calorie orange juice to reduce the calories even more. Serves 1
2 ounces fresh orange juice
3 ounces sparkling wine
1 ounce orange-flavored club soda
1 strip of orange zest, for garnish
Put the orange juice in a chilled champagne flute and then add the sparkling wine and club soda. Garnish with the orange strip and serve.
WINE SPRITZER
100 calories per serving
It doesn’t get much simpler, more low cal, or more refreshing than a wine spritzer. Funny how just a splash of something fizzy and some fruit can turn an ordinary glass of wine into a celebration! Serves 1
4 ounces white or red wine
2 ounces plain or flavored club soda or sparkling water
Fresh fruit (berries, grapes, lemon, and/or lime), for garnish
In a wine glass, combine the wine and soda. Garnish with fruit and serve.
BLACK VELVET
113 calories per serving
According to the Guinness Storehouse, this cocktail was invented in 1861 at London’s Brook’s Club soon after the death of Prince Albert. In his grief, the club’s steward declared that “even the champagne should be put into mourning,” and he mixed it with the inky Guinness. Despite its dark color and full flavor, Guinness has far fewer calories than most beers, with 125 calories per 12 ounces. Serves 1
3 ounces cold Guinness stout
3 ounces cold sparkling wine
Orange twist, for garnish
Pour the stout into a chilled champagne flute, followed by the sparkling wine. Garnish with the orange twist and serve.
KIR SPRITZER
128 calories per serving
Kir is a classic French cocktail that’s made with white wine and crème de cassis, a black currant liqueur. Its deep pinkish-red color is beautiful and so festive! Serves 1
3 ounces cold white wine
2 teaspoons crème de cassis
2 ounces raspberry or blackberry club soda
In a chilled champagne flute, combine the wine and crème de cassis. Top with the club soda and serve. Serves 1
Substitute champagne for white wine.
Substitute champagne for white wine and peach liqueur for crème de cassis.
Substitute champagne for white wine and Chambord for crème de cassis.
WHITE WINE SANGRIA
104 calories per serving
Spanish-born sangria is a wonderfully refreshing fruity drink, but the combination of wine, brandy, triple sec, and fruit juice can add up to a calorie nightmare. Getting the fruity flavor from fruit alone, plus the addition of fruit-flavored club soda, makes it much more figure friendly. If you nibble on some of the fruit while drinking, it will add a few more healthy calories! With fruit it’s 137 calories! Serves 6
1 bottle fruity dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc
1 green apple, cored and thinly sliced
½ pint ripe fresh raspberries
½ orange, halved and thinly sliced
3-inch strip of orange zest
2-inch strip of lime zest
Splash of orange-flavored club soda
In a pitcher, combine the wine, apple slices, raspberries, orange slices, orange zest, and lime zest. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
To serve, divide the sangria among 6 wine glasses and fill to the top with club soda.
Substitute 5 ounces of the wine with a dry, fruity red wine, such as merlot, and blackberries for raspberries.
CLASSIC SAKETINI
135 calories per serving
This drink is essentially a Japanese martini. Sake (or saké) is an alcoholic beverage of that is made from fermented rice. It is sometimes called “rice wine,” but the brewing process is more akin to beer making, where starch is converted to sugar during the fermentation process. It is relatively low in calories, coming in at 39 calories per ounce. Serves 1
1½ ounces gin
1 ounce sake
Ice cubes
2 thin slices cucumber, for garnish
1 fresh basil leaf, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, sake, and ice cubes. Shake for 10 seconds.
Strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with the cucumber slices and basil, and serve immediately.
Substitute vodka for the gin and a sage leaf for the basil leaf.
CRANBERRY-GINGER SAKETINI
137 calories per serving
This cocktail is to the saketini what the Cosmopolitan is to the martini. Serves 1
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
3 fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes
1 ounce cold vodka or gin
1 tablespoon cold sake
1 ounce cranberry juice
Lime or orange twist, for garnish
Muddle the ginger, mint, and agave in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the ice cubes, vodka, sake, and cranberry juice and shake for 10 seconds.
Strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with a lime or orange twist, and serve.
SAKE COCKTAIL
117 calories per serving
Coconut water is credited with everything from boosting metabolism to replacing electrolytes after a hard workout. It also makes a healthy mixer for cocktails, giving great coconut flavor without fat or calories. Serves 1
3 ounces ice-cold coconut water
2 ounces ice-cold sake
Juice of ½ lime
1 teaspoon agave
Crushed ice
Lime wedge, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, combine the coconut water, sake, lime juice, and agave, and stir well.
Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice and pour the drink over the ice. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve.
GIN MARTINI
129 calories per serving
James Bond prefers his martinis shaken, not stirred, and with vodka, not gin. Homer Simpson prefers his full of alcohol. Probably the most archetypal of all cocktails, the martini puts the “class” in classic. It is a very simple cocktail that contains just two ingredients: gin and dry vermouth. The less vermouth you put in the drink, the “drier” it is. Garnished with either of twist of lemon or lime or a few pitted green Spanish olives (which are about 10 calories each), it is a naturally low-calorie choice—and you look very cool drinking it. Serves 1
1½ ounces dry gin
½ ounce dry vermouth
1 dash of orange bitters (optional)
Ice cubes
1 strip of lemon zest
In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, vermouth, and bitters, if using. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and stir well, and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. To serve, twist the lemon zest over the drink and use as a garnish.
Substitute vodka for the gin and omit the bitters.
Stir 1 tablespoon of the briny liquid of green olives into the drink and garnish with 2 olives. (calories: 149)
GIN FIZZ
140 calories per serving
This is the cooler cousin of the gin and tonic. With lots of lemon and lime flavor from the citrus zest and sweetness from the addition of simple syrup, you can definitely think of it as Sprite for adults. Serves 1
1½ ounces gin
¼ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
¼ teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Crushed ice
Lemon-lime club soda
Lemon and or lime wedge, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon and lime zests, lemon and lime juices, and simple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake for 10 seconds.
Strain the drink into a rocks glass filled with ice and add a few splashes of club soda. Garnish with the lemon wedge and serve.
GIN & TONIC
96 calories per serving
Because of its historical connection with warm climates, gin and tonic is a popular cocktail during the warmer months. Nothing is better on a hot summer day than this refreshing libation served on the rocks with a wedge of lime. Don’t let tonic water fool you—it actually contains about 10 calories an ounce. This version uses club soda, which contains no calories and tastes practically the same. Try using lime-flavored club soda for additional lime flavor with no additional calories. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1½ ounces gin
3 ounces cold club soda, plain or lime flavored
Lime wedge
Fill a glass with ice cubes and add the gin and soda. Squeeze the lime wedge into the drink, add the wedge to the glass, and serve.
TOM COLLINS
148 calories per serving
The best way to describe a Tom Collins is that it’s sparkling lemonade for adults. This classic gin cocktail has been around for more than a century and has recently seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the AMC show Mad Men. Serves 1
1½ ounces gin
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
Ice cubes
3 ounces lemon club soda
1 thin slice orange, for garnish
1 maraschino cherry, for garnish
In a Collins glass, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
Fill the glass to the top with ice cubes and add the soda. Garnish with the orange slice and cherry and serve.
GIN RICKEY
111 calories per serving
Similar to a gin and tonic but with much more tart lime flavor, this drink was originally made with bourbon. However, it only became widely popular once it was made with gin instead. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1¼ ounces gin
Juice of 1 lime
2 ounces lime-flavored club soda
In a rocks glass filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lime juice, and agave. Add the club soda and serve.
Add 1 teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice along with the gin, lime juice, and agave. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. (calories: 121)
FRENCH 75
136 calories per serving
The French 75 is basically a Tom Collins with champagne added. Serves 1
1 ounce gin
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
2 ounces cold sparkling wine or champagne
Lemon twist, for garnish
Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a chilled champagne flute. Add the sparkling wine, garnish with the lemon twist, and serve.
DAISY
116 calories per serving
This rendition of the classic long cocktail is slimmed and trimmed and oh-so-delicious. The alcohol has been scaled back, and the homemade red-berry simple syrup has fewer calories but still lots of flavor. Serves 1
1 ounce gin
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Crushed ice
Raspberry-flavored club soda
Orange or lemon slice, for garnish
Stir together the gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a tall cocktail glass.
Add crushed ice and fill to the top with club soda. Garnish with the orange slice and serve.
SALTY DOG
120 calories per serving
This classic cocktail is the salt-inflected version of another classic, the Greyhound. They’re made the same way, only this one is made with gin instead of vodka, and the rim of the glass gets a sweet/salty dusting. Serves 1
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon sugar
1 lime wedge
Ice cubes
2 ounces pink or yellow grapefruit juice
1½ ounces gin
Grapefruit-flavored club soda or Squirt (or another calorie-free grapefruit soda)
Combine the salt and sugar on a small plate. Rub the rim of a tall glass with the lime wedge and dip the rim of the glass in the salt mixture.
Fill the glass with ice cubes, then add the grapefruit juice and gin and fill to the top with the club soda. Garnish with the same lime wedge you used to rim the glass and serve.
Substitute vodka for the gin and serve in an unsalted glass.
COSMOPOLITAN
113 calories per serving
There is a reason that Carrie and her friends loved this drink … it’s naturally low in calories, pink, and delicious! Use a cranberry- or orange-flavored vodka to cut back on the cranberry juice, and use orange-flavored club soda to save on the very caloric orange liqueur (188 calories per 1½ ounces!). Serves 1
1½ ounces cranberry- or orange-flavored vodka
1 ounce cranberry juice
Ice cubes
2 ounces orange-flavored club soda
Lime wedge
Orange twist, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka and juice, fill with ice cubes, and shake for 10 seconds.
Strain into a martini glass, add the club soda, and squeeze the lime wedge into the drink. Garnish with the orange twist and serve.
LEMON DROP
103 calories per serving
Rumor has it that this drink was created sometime in the 1970s at a San Francisco bar called Henry Africa’s, and that their goal was to popularize so-called girly drinks. Well, everyone is glad they did, because this drink is the perfect combination of sweet and sour, and, with a few tweaks, it’s very low cal. Using lemon-flavored vodka makes all the difference in the cocktail—the lemon flavor is off the charts! Serves 1
Juice of 1 lemon
1½ teaspoons superfine sugar
Ice cubes
1½ ounces very cold lemon-flavored vodka
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
Splash of lemon- or orange-flavored club soda (optional)
Put half the lemon juice onto a small plate. Put ½ teaspoon of the sugar onto another small plate to coat the bottom. Dip the rim of a martini glass in the lemon juice and then run the rim around in the sugar. Put the glass in the refrigerator for at least 5 minutes.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes, combine the remaining lemon juice, the remaining 1 teaspoon of sugar, the vodka, and the orange juice. Shake for 20 seconds.
Remove the prepared glass from the refrigerator, strain the drink into the glass, and serve.
SEA BREEZE
130 calories per serving
Since its creation in 1920, this Cape Cod favorite has gone through many incarnations. Today the Sea Breeze contains vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice. The addition of two sugary fruit juices jacks up the calorie content of this seemingly simple summer classic, so our version contains grapefruit vodka, grapefruit-flavored club soda, and a touch of cranberry juice. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1½ ounces Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka
2 ounces cranberry juice
2 ounces grapefruit- or cranberry-flavored or plain club soda
Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes and add the vodka and cranberry juice.
Fill to the top with club soda and serve.
DARK ’N STORMY
132 calories per serving
The name of this cocktail is trademarked by Gosling’s Export Limited of Bermuda, makers of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer. The Dark ’n Stormy is the company’s signature drink and consists of their rum and ginger beer served over ice, optionally accompanied by a slice of lime. The original recipe is served in a Collins glass, with more rum and ginger beer than this recipe, which is trimmed down to make it figure friendly. Serves 1
1½ ounces Gosling’s Black Seal Rum
Ice cubes
3 ounces ginger beer
Lime wedge
Pour the rum into a rocks glass filled with ice cubes and add the ginger beer.
Squeeze the lime wedge into the drink, add the wedge to the glass, and serve.
BLOODY MARY
129 calories per serving
What other drink can claim to be a hangover cure and be a nutritious brunch cocktail at the same time? A Bloody Mary is full of flavor, and the good news is that it is naturally low in calories. Make it as spicy or as mild as you like. Serves 1
5 ounces very cold tomato juice
1½ ounces vodka
Juice of ½ lime
Juice of ½ lemon
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes of Tabasco sauce
Pinch of celery salt
Pinch of smoked paprika or regular paprika
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Ice cubes
1 small celery stalk, for garnish
1 lime wedge, for garnish
Combine the tomato juice, vodka, lime and lemon juices, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, celery salt, paprika, and black pepper in a tall glass.
Add ice, garnish with the celery stalk and lime wedge, and serve.
Substitute 5 ounces of Clamato juice for the tomato juice. (calories: 137)
MOSCOW MULE
142 calories per serving
This classic cocktail is traditionally served in a copper mug, though a chilled highball glass will do just fine. Ginger beer isn’t alcoholic at all. It’s similar to ginger ale but with a more pronounced ginger flavor. If you can’t find it, you can use ginger ale, which has only 1 calorie more per ounce, or use diet ginger ale if you want to save even more calories. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1½ ounces vodka
3 ounces ginger beer or ginger ale
Juice of 1 lime
Lime wedge, for garnish
In a rocks glass filled with ice cubes, combine the vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve.
RUM & COKE
148 calories per serving
(with Diet Coke: 96 calories)
This quintessential college cocktail is still a winner, especially on a hot summer day while sitting at the pool. You can lower the calories even more by using Diet Coke, if that is your thing, or add a kick by replacing regular dark rum with spiced rum. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1½ ounces dark rum or spiced rum
4 ounces Coke or Diet Coke
Lime wedge, for garnish
Fill a short tumbler with ice cubes, then add the
rum and Coke. Stir to combine. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve.
This Cuban cousin contains white rum, Coke, and a squeeze of lime juice served over ice cubes in a highball glass.
THE PALOMA
101 calories per serving
This classic Mexican cocktail, made with lime juice, tequila, and grapefruit-flavored soda, is refreshing, tasty, and naturally low calorie. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1½ ounces tequila
Juice of ½ lime
5 ounces grapefruit-flavored soda (such as Fresca) or grapefruit-flavored club soda
Lime wedge, for garnish
In a tall glass filled with ice cubes, combine the tequila, lime juice, and soda. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve.
MOJITO
136 calories per serving
This lime- and mint-flavored cocktail is relatively low in alcohol content but high in calories because of the large amount of sugar or cane syrup typically used to prepare it. By simply cutting back on the sugar you can still enjoy all that is wonderful about this refreshing Cuban-born drink. Serves 1
4 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
Juice of 1 lime
1½ ounces white rum
Crushed ice
Lime-flavored club soda
Muddle the mint leaves, simple syrup, lime zest, and lime juice in the bottom of a highball glass. Add the rum and a handful of crushed ice.
Fill the glass with the club soda, garnish with the mint sprig, and serve.
Substitute coconut rum for the white rum.
TEQUILA & SODA
96 calories per serving
This simple, refreshing, and naturally low-calorie cocktail contains only two ingredients, tequila and soda. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1½ ounces good-quality silver or gold tequila
4 ounces plain or flavored club soda (orange or lime or a combination of both)
Lime wedge or twist, for garnish
In a rocks glass filled with ice cubes, stir together the tequila and club soda. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve.
MARGARITA
115 calories per serving
Margaritas look innocent enough, but the combination of tequila, sour mix, and orange liqueur can add up to more than 270 calories when ordered at your favorite bar. By getting rid of the sour mix and orange liqueur and substituting fresh lime, fresh orange juice, and club soda, you get the same amazing flavor and save more than 150 calories per glass! Serves 1
1½ ounces silver tequila
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Ice cubes
Orange- or lime-flavored club soda
Lime or orange twist, for garnish
Combine the tequila and orange and lime juices in a highball glass. Fill the glass with ice cubes and top with club soda.
To serve, run the lime twist around the rim and add to the drink as a garnish.
Combine 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice and 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice on a small plate. Evenly spread 1 teaspoon kosher salt on another flat plate. Dip the rim in the juice and then in the salt. Make the Margarita as directed.
DAIQUIRI
138 calories per serving
This cocktail was invented in the village of Daiquiri in Cuba more than one hundred years ago. Another naturally low-calorie drink, it never fails to please. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1¼ ounces light rum
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
Splash of lime-flavored club soda
Lime slice, for garnish
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the rum, lime juice, lime zest, and simple syrup and shake for 10 seconds.
Strain into a chilled martini glass and fill to the top with the club soda. Garnish with the lime slice and serve.
HEMINGWAY DAIQUIRI
143 calories per serving
It is said that the Hemingway Daiquiri was invented for Ernest Hemingway in the El Floradita Bar in Havana, Cuba, and that he loved it so much that he would always order a double. The original includes a cherry liqueur that has quite a few calories and isn’t easy to find, but adding a few teaspoons of maraschino cherry juice will do the trick, giving this daiquiri a lovely pink hue. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1¼ ounces light rum
¼ cup grapefruit juice
Juice of 1 lime
2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice
1 maraschino cherry, for garnish
Lime wheel, for garnish
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Add the rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and maraschino cherry juice and shake for 10 seconds.
To serve, strain into a rocks glass and garnish with the cherry and the lime wheel.
TEQUILA SUNRISE
142 calories per serving
Mexico is vibrant! Just walk down the streets and you will find that everywhere bright colors reach out and grab you. This drink is like Mexico in a glass: festive, colorful, and fun! Grenadine adds great color in addition to a tart cherry flavor. Serves 1
1 ounce silver tequila
4 ounces fresh orange juice
½ ounce fresh lime juice
Ice cubes
Splash of orange-flavored club soda
1 teaspoon grenadine
Half an orange slice, for garnish (optional)
Combine the tequila and the orange and lime juices in a tall glass. Fill with ice and top with a splash of club soda.
Float the grenadine on top (it will sink and then come back up to the top, creating a sunrise effect). Garnish with the orange slice, if desired, and serve.
JACK & COKE
142 calories per serving
Also known as JD and Coke, it doesn’t get much simpler than this cocktail. Use Diet Coke and you have the perfect under-100-calorie cocktail. Serves 1
Ice cubes
1½ ounces Jack Daniel’s
5 ounces Coke or Diet Coke
Lemon or lime wedge, for garnish
In a rocks glass or Collins glass filled with ice cubes, combine the Jack Daniel’s and Coke. Garnish with the lemon wedge and serve.
MINT JULEP
144 calories per serving
The Run for the Roses takes place in Lexington on the first Saturday of May with the first stretch of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby. In addition to lots of great southern food, the cocktail of the day is the mint julep. A classic julep weighs in at only about 165 calories, so by just cutting back on the sugar, you can enjoy this version for about 144 calories. Serves 1
1½ ounces bourbon
Crushed ice
Splash of club soda
1 fresh mint sprig, for garnish
Combine the simple syrup and bourbon in a mint julep cup or a rocks glass.
Fill to the rim with crushed ice and add a splash of club soda. Garnish with the mint sprig and serve.
Muddle the mint syrup and 3 blackberries in the bottom of the glass, add the bourbon, crushed ice, and club soda, and garnish with a mint sprig. (calories: 150)
CIDERHOUSE
149 calories per serving
This cocktail is classically made with bourbon and cider syrup, a syrup made from boiled-down apple cider. Cider syrup can be found online at www.woodscidermill.com, but you can also get the same flavor by adding a splash of regular apple cider and a drizzle of maple syrup for a really lovely cocktail made for sipping—and that’s only 145 calories. Serves 1
1½ ounces bourbon
1 ounce cider syrup
Ice cubes
1 strip of lemon zest, for garnish
Stir together the bourbon and the cider syrup in the bottom of a rocks glass.
Add ice cubes, garnish with the lemon zest, and serve.
WHISKEY SOUR
141 calories per serving
This drink often gets a bad rap, most likely because of the bottom-shelf whiskey and the sickeningly sweet sour mix that many bars make it with. By simply using a good-quality whiskey or bourbon and homemade citrusy sour mix, this nineteenth-century cocktail is officially introduced to the twenty-first century. Serves 1
1½ ounces whiskey or bourbon
Ice cubes
Splash of orange-flavored club soda
Orange slice, for garnish
Maraschino cherry, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, combine the whiskey and simple syrup with a few ice cubes. Shake for 10 seconds and pour into a rocks glass filled with ice cubes.
Top off with a splash of club soda, garnish with the orange slice and maraschino cherry, and serve.
OLD FASHIONED
134 calories per serving
Purists will tell you that a true Old Fashioned consists of nothing more than sugar, whiskey, bitters, and possibly a splash of water and a twist of orange. That definitely hits low on calorie count, but this colorful version is definitely worth trying. The addition of lemon, lime, and a maraschino cherry adds minimal calories, so go ahead and be modern! Serves 1
1 orange slice
1 lemon slice
1 lime slice
1 maraschino cherry
1 teaspoon sugar
Splash of cold water
3 dashes orange or regular Angostura bitters
1½ ounces rye or bourbon whiskey
Ice cubes
Splash of plain or orange-flavored club soda
Muddle the orange, lemon, and lime slices, maraschino cherry, sugar, and water in the bottom of a rocks glass. Stir in the bitters and whiskey.
Add ice cubes, a few splashes of club soda to taste, and serve.
