Cocktails often feature visually appealing and delicious combinations of spirits, mixers, and garnishes. However, if you're watching your weight, you might avoid drinking these concoctions since they often have high sugar and calorie counts. Thankfully, you can make these alcoholic beverages more diet-friendly. Here are a handful of low-calorie yet tasty cocktails and how to make them.

4 Low-Calorie Cocktails

1. Fresh Lime Margarita

Margaritas often contain sugary mixes that raise the calorie counts of these classic cocktails. However, you can cut back on sugar and calories by using fresh lime juice instead of a premade mix.

Pour two ounces of silver tequila into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and add the juice of one to two limes. Include a splash of orange juice and a dash of agave nectar for sweetness. Shake well and pour over ice before serving in a glass with a salted rim and lime wedge garnish. 

2. Gimlet

If gin is your spirit of choice, you might enjoy the low-calorie version of a gimlet, which is a cocktail that blends herbaceous gin with zesty lime. While the classic recipe typically calls for sweetened lime juice and simple syrup, you can reduce the calorie count by using freshly squeezed lime and a sugar-free sweetener instead.

In a shaker filled with ice, pour about 1 ½ ounces of your favorite dry gin. Add 1 ounce of fresh lime juice along with a ½ ounce of a sugar-free sweetener, such as stevia. Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass garnished with a lime wedge. 

3. Mojito

Rum is the main ingredient in a mojito, and although this spirit often has a higher sugar content, you can still minimize the calorie count. In an empty shaker, muddle six to 10 fresh mint leaves with 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice and a few drops of liquid stevia.

Add ice to the shaker, along with about 1 ½ ounces of white rum. Shake well, pour unstrained into a highball glass, and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint leaf. 

4. Whiskey Ginger

The smoky, malty flavors of whiskey pair deliciously with slightly sweet and spicy ginger. You can make this drink with less sugar and fewer calories by using diet soda. Pour two ounces of whiskey into a rocks glass filled with ice, add 2 ounces of diet ginger ale, and stir gently. Garnish with a lime wedge before enjoying. 

When you need ingredients to make delectable and refreshing low-calorie cocktails, head to Wine & Spirits at 130 Main. This liquor store offers spirits and mixers to clients throughout Boonville, NY. The staff will help you choose the perfect combination of ingredients for a healthy night. Call (315) 942-2212 to ask about the liquor brands in stock, or visit the website to learn more about their selection of spirits, wine, and beer.