16 Low-Calorie Cocktail Recipes to Make When You Want Something Light and Refreshing
It doesn't matter where you are — poolside, hanging out in a nice air-conditioned home, or chilling on the front porch — there's something exceptionally satisfying about an ice-cold ultrarefreshing cocktail in your hand on a sweltering summer day. The only downside is that throwing back a few drinks can start to add up, calorie-wise. Though we can't make all the calories disappear, we did our best to round up some truly tasty, low-calorie options for you to indulge in all summer long. Read ahead for the best low-calorie cocktail recipes and cheers to these de(light)ful drinks!
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
![Elderflower-Grapefruit Paloma](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/75_dhTv7igtgdynDO9Q0xPhGVOk=/fit-in/792x1188/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2020/05/22/911/n/1922729/8c8d08548e50a923_b653a5fe_paloma.jpg)
Elderflower-Grapefruit Paloma
Created by Bartender Tobin Shea at Redbird restaurant in LA, this elderflower-grapefruit paloma takes full advantage of seasonal ingredients, making it a drink that tastes exactly like something you'd be sipping during summer holiday. The fresh grapefruit juice makes it ultralight and ultrarefreshing.
Ingredients:
- Ice
- 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila, like Herradura Silver
- 1/4 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
- 1 1/2 ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
- 2 ounces soda
- 1/2 ounce agave syrup
Directions: Fill a shaker with ice. Add all ingredients, except for soda. Close and shake well. Add soda and strain into Collins glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
![LaCroix Pamplemousse Paloma](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/8Ozq3xR-aucLRSkabfBrDkXlFHk=/fit-in/792x594/top/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2020/05/22/908/n/1922729/a9c4650b4ab32348_tmp_Y1ZxSo_c2d024a7a638bca3_ACS_0815.jpeg)
LaCroix Pamplemousse Paloma
Since LaCroix has zero calories, it's no wonder this refreshing cocktail made the list! Made with just a handful of fresh ingredients, this delightful LaCroix paloma can be made in minutes.
Ingredients:
- 5 oz. Pamplemousse LaCroix
- 2 oz. tequila
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz. Grand Marnier (or triple sec)
- Kosher salt
- Lime wedge (for serving)
Directions: Prepare the glass by rubbing the rim with a lime wedge. Fill a small plate with salt and dip the wet rim of the glass in the salt. Pour LaCroix into salt-rimmed glass. Combine tequila, lime juice, and Grand Marnier in a measuring glass or cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and stir or shake well to combine, about 20 seconds. Pour over salt-rimmed glass of LaCroix and garnish with lime wedge.
![Strawberry Margarita](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/p4F2_mGUeDmLvrRJQ2x-GV0s1EY=/fit-in/792x792/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2020/05/22/925/n/1922729/a5f815b10ffd18e2_fadac8d28b3f07fc_strawberry-margaritas-sq.jpg)
Strawberry Margarita
Take full advantage of summer's best produce offering when you whip up this low-calorie strawberry margarita. Made with fresh berries and a dash of tequila, this is really a dream come true.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 of a pint of strawberries
- 1 cup tequila
- 1/2 cup orange liqueur
- 4 limes, juiced
- Ice
Directions: In a blender, blend strawberries, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Fill a pitcher with ice and pour in the blended margarita. Stir well to ensure that the mixture is combined. Prepare the glasses by rubbing each rim with a lime wedge. Fill a small plate with salt and dip the wet rim of the glass in the salt. Divide margarita into the salted glasses, and garnish each glass with a strawberry and lime wedge. Enjoy immediately!
![Cucumber-Mint Gin Cocktail](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/0Eczfz1CDbdwYlNLivUsLLXNQg8=/fit-in/792x792/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2020/05/22/898/n/1922729/a19182b74b189de7_e041c6ee241db25f_Cucumber-Mint-Gin-Cocktail.jpg)
Cucumber-Mint Gin Cocktail
Shake up the traditional mojito by giving it a drool-worthy gin spin. Since gin only has 73 calories in an ounce, this cucumber-mint gin cocktail recipe is super light and super refreshing.
Ingredients:
- 5 cucumber slices, divided
- 2 sprigs of mint
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 1/2 ounces gin, such as Beefeater 24
Directions: Add three slices of cucumber, the leaves from a sprig of mint, and the simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Muddle. Add the lime juice, gin, and ice, and shake until chilled. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. Spank the remaining sprig of mint before garnishing the cocktail with it and the remaining two slices of cucumber.
![Coconut Water Margarita](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/jdBh8vXPUcUIzbZwHrZSqhv0lmQ=/fit-in/792x712/top/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2020/05/22/918/n/1922729/570d96e215f62220_tmp_q0UEZ7_ae73046fca97eba8_IMG_5933.jpg)
Coconut Water Margarita
If you're looking for something hydrating and light that will give you a buzz, we recommend this coconut water margarita. The key is to naturally sweeten it with a fresh squeeze of orange juice!
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz of premium blanco tequila (Casamigos used here)
- 0.5 oz of Grand Marnier
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 orange wedge
- 1 splash of fresh coconut water
Directions: Take a lime wedge and use it rub the rim on the edge of a rocks-glass. Then, dip it into some freshly ground pink Himalayan salt. You won't need too much because the saltiness is a very strong flavour. Next, combine all remaining ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Once mixed, pour over fresh ice in your salted rocks-glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
![Aviation Cocktail](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/1h5WTv7F7OqOqs2tvjbGK80TS2I=/fit-in/792x792/filters:format_auto():upscale()/2020/05/22/907/n/1922729/94c5b380004dff5c_3b86661c53027011_83d97e5d9d6e68ee_Aviation-Cocktail.jpg)
Aviation Cocktail
The aviation, a classic Prohibition-era cocktail, consists of: gin, lemon juice, crème de violette, maraschino liqueur, and cherries (no, not the glowingly red sort) mingle into an elegant, lavender-hued beverage that you'll likely either love or hate; the only way to find out is to try it for yourself!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 ounces maraschino liqueur
- 1/4 ounce crème de violette (optional)
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Directions: Add the gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until thoroughly chilled, strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
![Pin It!](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/3Lsh3jWYbom1tqgX3Ts_8jRSIR0=/fit-in/792x1188/filters:upscale()/2018/08/24/887/n/1922729/8b8d066713702c96_PS18_08_24_BJ_Pinterest_Teaser_Fitness_LowCalCocktail.jpg)