Unfortunately, alcohol is one of the fastest ways to pack on the poundage. Most of the hard liquors, like vodka or rum, are around 75-100 calories a shot.  One way to keep the calorie count low on your mixed drink is to use a calorie free mixer such as diet Coke, seltzer water, club soda, or even Crystal Light. Juices are not good choices as they are loaded with sugar and can really add to the calorie count. 

Baja Bob’s has a great low-cal pina colada mix made just for all of us weight watchers! It has only 4 grams of carbs per 4oz. serving and tastes great. Just use the mix just like you would when using one of the calorie laden pina colada mixers. Make sure to measure out the rum so you can keep the calorie count around 120 cals.

Another great alternative is made with Coke Zero, and Bacardi Razz rum. Just pour the coke and rum over ice and you’ve got an excellent 70 calorie mixed drink that’s great for those summer days or night!

Do you love those fruity cold mixed drinks? Try mixing low cal, sugar free peach ice cream, vanilla vodka, a packet or two of Truvia, (which is an all natural stevia sweetener), and ice in a blender. Blend it until it is smooth and frosty and pour into a nice tall glass that has been chilled in the freezer. Yum! This will run around 115-120 calories.

Another excellent option for making a Screw Driver is to try Crystal Light orange drink mix and some orange flavored vodka. This tasty concoction will only run around 70-100 calories.

If you like such drinks as White Russians or Long Island Ice Teas, which are loaded with calories, then you may want to find a suitable alternative that is just as satisfying. I personally love White Russians, but since I have not come up with a good low-cal way of making one I steer clear of them. Instead I opt for one of the lighter types of mixed drink when I do, on rare occasion, have a mixed drink.

Frankly, most people drink with the intent of getting a good buzz on. If you are looking for something that won’t pack on the pounds, but has a good punch to it, you do have some options. Try looking for lower alcohol beer or cocktails that don’t go heavy on the mixers. If you don’t like beer, but do love tasty cocktails, try something like a Bloody Mary, a Manhattan, Moscow Mule, or The Mojito. All of these options have a calorie count in the 100-130 range, and pack a pretty good punch.

With all these options, there is no reason not to still have fun at a bar-b-que, beach party, or any other gathering that serves alcohol. With a little bit of imagination and trial and error, you can come up with some tasty low cal mix drinks of your own. Enjoy!