Summertime is always a good excuse to relax and make the most of the sun – while sipping on a refreshing cocktail, of course! Unfortunately, it’s easy to get carried away with the calories, sugar, and alcohol content in these beverages.
Thankfully, there are plenty of low-calorie options that you can enjoy without sabotaging your diet. Here, we’ve rounded up ten delicious summer cocktails that are light on calories but big on flavor.
1. Pineapple Mojito
This sweet and tangy cocktail is a summer favorite. Muddle together a handful of fresh mint leaves, a few chunks of fresh pineapple, and a splash of lime juice in a glass. Add in a shot of white rum and top with sparkling water.
Garnish with a mint sprig and a pineapple wedge for a tropical touch.
2. Watermelon Margarita
For a fruity twist on a classic margarita, blend fresh watermelon chunks with a shot of tequila, a splash of orange liqueur, and lime juice. Serve over ice for a refreshing drink.
3. Cucumber Basil Gin Fizz
Light and refreshing, this cocktail features sliced cucumbers, fresh basil leaves, gin, and a squeeze of lime juice topped with soda water. Serve over ice and garnish with a cucumber slice and a sprig of basil.
4. Skinny Pina Colada
This tropical cocktail is usually packed with sugar and calories, but this recipe uses coconut water and fresh pineapple to keep things light. Blend together frozen pineapple, coconut water, and a shot of rum until smooth.
Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a tiny umbrella for a fun touch.
5. Grapefruit Gin and Tonic
This simple but elegant cocktail pairs the zesty flavors of grapefruit with gin and tonic water. Mix together a shot of gin, grapefruit juice, and tonic water over ice. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or a sprig of rosemary.
6. Light and Stormy
For a cocktail that’s light and spicy, mix together a shot of rum, lime juice, and ginger beer over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.
7. Strawberry Basil Smash
This refreshing cocktail combines fresh strawberries with basil leaves, gin, and lemon juice. Muddle the strawberries and basil together in a glass. Add in a shot of gin and lemon juice and top with soda water.
Garnish with a strawberry slice and a sprig of basil.
8. Skinny Sangria
This lighter version of a classic sangria uses fresh fruit, red wine, and sparkling water to keep things low in calories. Mix together a bottle of red wine, sliced apples, oranges, and strawberries, and top with sparkling water.
Let chill for a few hours to allow flavors to meld together.
9. Aperol Spritz
This Italian cocktail is light, fizzy, and perfect for summer. Mix together a shot of Aperol, sparkling wine, and soda water. Serve over ice and garnish with a slice of orange.
10. Berry Vodka Soda
This fruity cocktail is simple but satisfying. Mix together a shot of vodka, berry-flavored sparkling water, and a squeeze of lime juice over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge or fresh berries.
Conclusion
With these ten low-calorie summer cocktail options, you can enjoy a refreshing drink without straying from your diet. Try one (or all!) of these recipes for a fun and delicious summer treat.