One of my favorite things about summer is that you can drink outdoors and not have people judge you as much as they normally would during any other season. That said, it’s difficult to enjoy the timeless American pastime that is dartying (that’s day partying, for all of you non-frat stars out there) in the great outdoors when you’re actively trying to lose weight. Because, ICYMI, alcohol has a lot of calories. Like, A LOT.
(Related: 10 Sexy Cocktails Ranked By How Embarrassing They Are To Order)
You could always just wear a cocktail-scented perfume in lieu of drinking one if you’re really hardcore, but if you’re like me, summer just isn’t the same without a bottle or seven of wine to the face, and sometimes, vodka sodas are just a little bit too boring. So, I’ve taken it upon myself to look for several “healthier” cocktail options. Please note that the word healthier is in quotes because, sorry guys, there isn’t really a healthy version of alcohol—it’s like trying to find a healthy pizza. So, without further ado, here are seven healthier (or, well, lower-calorie, at least) cocktails that’ll still get the job done without ruining all of your diet progress:
1. Skinny Strawberry Mint Spritzer
This “clean,” sugar-free cocktail is the perfect summer drink. Plus, the ingredients will make you feel pretty fancy.
How to make it:
- 1 bottle of Sake – any kind will do
- 1 bottle of Dry Champagne
- 1-pint strawberries
- 6 Meyer lemons (or 3-4 regular lemons)
- 3-4 springs of mint
- Vanilla Stevia to taste
2. Skinny Margarita
If you’re a Real Housewives of New York City, you’ve probably already heard of Bethenny Frankel‘s array of Skinnygirl products, that all started with a healthier margarita. If you don’t want to buy the pre-packaged kind, blogger Cookie and Kate has her own twist on the classic recipe.
How to make it:
- Kosher salt or coarsely ground sea salt
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) silver tequila
- 1½ ounces (3 tablespoons/about 1½ small limes) fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons/about ½ of a medium orange) fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon light agave nectar
- 1 lime wedge or round for garnish
3. Boozy Green Lemonade
I was one of those kids who loved that limited edition green ketchup that Heinz put out for a little while, so I’m all about odd-colored foods. The best part? With Food + Love’s recipe, it kind of doubles as green juice. Maybe add it to your juice cleanse (don’t).
How to make it:
- 3 celery stalks, leaves and all
- 1 apple
- 2 lemons + 1 more for garnishing
- 4 large handfuls of spinach or kale
- 4 ounces of your favorite spirit
- 1 cup sparkling water or club soda
4. Cherry Vodka Lemonade Slushies
If you missed free slushie day at 7/11 this year, then With Salt And Wit has just the thing for you.
How to make it:
- 2 tsp lemonade mix (I use 2 packets of Crystal Light Lemonade)
- 3 fl oz Skinny Girl Cherry Vodka or your favorite cherry vodka
- 1.5 cups water
- 2 cups ice
5. Skinny Bloody Mary
For when you had one too many skinny cocktails the night before.
How to make it:
- 6 limes, juiced
- 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 2 quarts tomato juice
- 1-2 tablespoons Tabasco Sauce, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
- *1½ cup vodka, chilled in the freezer (optional)
- 6 stalks celery for garnish
- 6 slices cucumber for garnish
6. Skinny Frozen Mudslides
Yes, mudslides can be made healthy. And yes, they do essentially taste like alcoholic milkshakes.
How to make it:
- 2 tablespoons sugar-free chocolate syrup
- 1/2 cup fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
- 1 cup fat-free milk
- 2 shots vodka
- 2 tablespoons Bailey’s Irish Cream Flavored coffee creamer (can be found in the refrigerated section at the grocery store – near the milk)
- 1/2 tablespoon ground coffee beans
- ice (about 1 full tray)
7. White Strawberry-Lemon Sangria
Because the only thing that screams summer more than a margarita is sangria.
How to make it:
- 2 lemons, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, cored and sliced (any kind)
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced lengthwise
- 1 (750 ml) bottle of white wine (a dry-ish white wine is best – I like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay)
- 1/2 cup light rum
- 4 cups lemon-lime soda