5 Low Calorie Cocktails You Can Order at Any Bar or Restaurant

Summertime is here and that means it’s time to start enjoying some delicious, refreshing cocktails. But if you’re watching your waistline, traditional cocktails can be a bit of a calorie bomb.  Fear not! We have five great low calorie cocktail options that won’t break the bank or blow up your diet. From simple vodka sodas to classic mojitos, these summer drinks are sure to hit the spot without packing on extra pounds. So, get ready for a guilt-free happy hour and check out these five low calorie cocktails you can order at any bar or restaurant!

Weekend Drink Specials in Downtown Indy at English Ivy's Eatery & Pub
Weekend Drink Specials in Downtown Indy at English Ivy’s Eatery & Pub

Low Calorie Cocktails Available Almost Anywhere

1. Vodka Soda: This classic summer cocktail is simple, refreshing, and low calorie. All you need is one shot of vodka and a splash of soda water poured over ice. Garnish with a lime for extra flavor without adding too many calories.

2. Gin & Tonic: Another great option for those watching their waistline is the gin and tonic. The tonic water adds some subtle sweetness while the gin helps to keep the drink light and calorie friendly. Just make sure not to go overboard on the garnish! A sprig of mint or slice of cucumber should do the trick!

3. Tequila & Soda: Tequila and soda may sound like an odd combination, but it’s actually quite refreshing. All you need is one shot of tequila, some soda water, and a lime wedge for garnish. This drink is low calorie and will definitely help to quench your thirst on a hot summer day.

4. Skinny Mojito: If you’re craving something a bit more flavorful, a skinny mojito may be the way to go. Instead of using traditional sugar or simple syrup, opt for sugar-free alternatives such as stevia or agave nectar. Top with lots of fresh muddled mint and lime wedges, then enjoy!

5. Rum & Diet Coke: Last but not least, rum and diet coke is another great low calorie option that won’t break the bank. Keep it light and simple with just one shot of rum, diet coke and a lime wedge for garnish.

So, there you have it! Five great low calorie cocktail options that are sure to hit the spot without packing on extra pounds. So go ahead and indulge in a guilt-free happy hour this summer! Cheers!

Low Calorie Beer Options

Ask your bartender or server if they offer light beer options like Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, or Bud Light for even more guilt-free drinks. Additional lo-calorie beers include Heineken Light, Corona Light, Corona Premier, Coors Light, Miller 64, White Claw, and High Noon.

Healthy Substitutions to Use in Classic Cocktails

Many cocktail mixers and sweeteners can be loaded with sugar and calories, which can quickly add up. Luckily, there are plenty of healthy substitutions available that can make your favorite cocktails guilt-free! Instead of using sugary mixers, try swapping them out for fresh juices like lime, lemon, or grapefruit. For sweeteners, agave nectar is a great alternative to table sugar and is actually lower on the glycemic index. With a little creativity and experimentation, you can still enjoy your favorite cocktails without sacrificing your healthy habits.

Ready to head out with friends and lovers to try some of these classic cocktails in Downtown Indy? Come hang out at English Ivy’s Eatery and Pub – No reservations required! Enjoy a wide menu selection of lunch and dinner options, plus drink specials every day of the week, all at neighborhood prices! Friday’s specials include $22.00 Prime Rib Dinner, $4 Effen, $5 Kettle One, and $3 house wine by the glass!

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5 Delicious Cocktails to Celebrate National Cocktail Day 2023

National Cocktail Day is here! How do you want to celebrate? With some cocktails, of course! In honor of a wonderful and well-deserving nationally recognized day, let’s talk drink orders! From tangy Bloody Mary’s and refreshing Aperol spritzers to the elegant Manhattan and the classic Old Fashioned, there are plenty of deliciously conventional cocktails that can be enjoyed on National Cocktail Day.

So, whether you choose celebrate by heading out to your local bar and restaurant, or just staying at home and raiding your personal mini bar, consider this collective list of traditional cocktail recipes for National Cocktail Day!

Happy National Cocktail Day!
Happy National Cocktail Day!

Happy National Cocktail Day!

March 24th, 2023

Let us celebrate Jace Shoemaker-Galloway for instituting National Cocktail Day — a day to imbibe in our beloved cocktails. Why not raise a glass of your favorite drink? Interestingly, the Margarita is America’s most popular tipple! So, go ahead and enjoy it first on this festive occasion!

Margarita

With that fun fact, let’s start with the Margarita! This zesty tequila-based cocktail is the perfect way to kick off National Cocktail Day. Simply mix tequila, lime juice, and triple sec in a shaker and rim your glass with salt. Then, shake everything together and pour into glasses over ice for a refreshing beverage. To add an extra tangy twist, you can also muddle some fresh fruit into your margaritas such as strawberries or oranges.

Manhattan

Next on our list of National Cocktail Day recipes is the Manhattan. This Manhattan is a classic whiskey cocktail that’s sure to please the mavens of mixology. Simply combine whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters in a shaker and strain into rocks glasses filled with ice. If you’re looking for an extra flavor boost, add some orange or cherry juice for a sweeter Manhattan.

Old Fashioned

Third on our list of delicious cocktail recipes is the Old Fashioned. This timeless drink combines bourbon, sugar, Angostura bitters and a splash of soda water for a perfectly balanced sip. To make this classic concoction all you have to do is mix the ingredients in a shaker and strain over fresh ice cubes into an old fashioned glass. You can also garnish the drink with an orange peel or a cherry to add a bit of extra flavor.

Bloody Mary

You can also celebrate National Cocktail Day with a tangy Bloody Mary. This classic vodka-based cocktail is perfect for those who like their drinks on the spicier side. Simply mix tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, and celery salt in a shaker and pour over ice into glasses. Then, garnish your Bloody Mary with pickles, olives or lemon wedges for an extra zing. 

Aperol Spritzer

Finally, you can top off National Cocktail Day with an Aperol Spritzer. This light and refreshing drink is perfect for those who like to keep it simple. Simply pour Aperol, prosecco, and soda into a wine glass filled with ice. Then, garnish the Aperol spritzers with orange slices or fresh fruit for an extra special touch.

National Cocktail Day is Your Chance to Expand Your Drink Order Horizon

No matter which cocktail that you choose to celebrate National Cocktail Day, it’s sure to be a hit. Get creative and have fun experimenting with different flavors and ingredients. Remember, National Cocktail Day is the perfect time to let your bartenders and local mixologists experiment and make something truly special! And don’t forget to share your favorite recipes and raise a glass in honor of this special occasion. Have fun and cheers to National Cocktail Day!

Ready to head out and celebrate National Cocktail Day in Downtown Indy? Come hang out at English Ivy’s Eatery and Pub – No reservations required! Enjoy a wide menu selection of lunch and dinner options, plus drink specials every day of the week, all at neighborhood prices! Friday’s specials include $22.00 Prime Rib Dinner, $4 Effen, $5 Kettle One, and $3 house wine by the glass!

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Best Bar Drinks to Order When Watching Your Calories

Just because you have responsible health and fitness goals doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a good buzz! There are plenty of cocktails and beers you can order without feeling any guilt about ruining your diet! Continue below for some top recommended, low calorie and low carb bar drinks, plus where to get the best drink specials in Downtown Indy this weekend!

Best Drink Specials in Indianapolis 317-822-5070
Best Drink Specials in Indianapolis 317-822-5070

Low Calorie Cocktails For Any Occasion

Here are some common bar drinks that run in a very low calorie range. Keep in mind that these caloric values can differ slightly depending on brand, flavor, mixer, garnishes, and more.

Cocktails (1.5 Ounces)

Rum and Diet – 97 Calories

Vodka and Soda w/Lime – 96 Calories

Wine Spritzer – 100 to 125 Calories

Classic Martini – 128 Calories

Wine (5 Ounces)

Champagne or Prosecco – 96 Calories

Rosé – 130 Calories

White Wine – 127 Calories

Red Wine – 125 Calories

Riesling – 128 Calories

Beer

White Claw – 100 Calories

Light Beer – 90 to 105 Calories

Corona Light – 99 Calories

Miller Lite – 96 Calories

Michelob ULTRA – 95 Calories

Yuengling Light Lager – 99 Calories

Tonic Water Versus Soda Water

Tonic water is a type of soda water, but it contains sugar; although just a smidge, it makes a big difference in taste. Tonic water can contain up to 30 grams of sugar in a 12 ounce serving. Seltzer water is simply plain soda water. Club soda, on the other hand, is soda water that contains a bit of sodium, usually salt, and sometimes a few other additives. But it does not contain any sugar.

Ready to enjoy some low calorie beer and cocktails this weekend? Visit English Ivy’s Downtown Pub and Eatery and order from our full bar and cocktail menu! We offer beer, wine, and liquor drink specials in Downtown Indianapolis every day of the week!

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Popular Cocktails Under 200 Calories

Having a few cocktails at the end of a hard week should be a great feeling, not something that makes you feel guilty come Monday morning. For those of you who enjoy great cocktails, but could do without all the added calories and sugar, finding something satisfying can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are several delicious cocktail choices that eliminate the caloric overkill without sacrificing quality or taste.

Continue reading to review the some of the most popular low calorie cocktails you can order at any full-service bar or restaurant, or even make at home!

Weekly Drink Specials Downtown Indianapolis 317-822-5070
Try a Vodka Soda – Only 100 calories!

If You’re Watching Your Waistline, Try These Top Low-Cal Cocktails:

Champagne

SURPRISED?
90 Calories!

Gimlet

Any Liquor, Rose’s Sweet Lime Juice, Lime Wedge
180 Calories
*Substitute Rose’s for a dash of simple syrup and fresh squeezed lime for less calories.

Gin and Tonic w/Lemon

Gin, Tonic Water, Lemon Wedge
150 Calories

Martini

Vodka or Gin, Vermouth (Olives Optional)
175 Calories
*Order it “dry” and forgo the olives for fewer calories.

Mojito

White Rum, Simple Syrup, Mint Leaves, Lime Wedge
170 Calories

Old Fashioned

Bourbon, Bitters, Sugar
155 Calories

Paloma

Tequila of Choice, Grapefruit Juice, Soda Water, Lime Wedge
165 Calories
*Forgo the sugar rim for less calories.

Rum and Diet

Rum, Diet Soda of Your Choice (commonly Diet Cola), Lime Wedge
100 Calories

Sazerac

Whiskey, Absinthe, Bitters, Sugar, Water
135 Calories

Vodka and Soda w/Lime

Vodka, Soda Water, Lime Wedge
100 Calories

Are you now craving your favorite low calorie cocktail from the list? Visit English Ivy’s Downtown Pub and Eatery and enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner, and delicious drinks! Be sure to check out our weekly specials, too!

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Downtown Indianapolis Bar Restaurant
317-822-5070

Top-Recommended Low Calorie Cocktail Options for Summer

If you enjoy a great cocktail at the end of a hard day, but prefer not to indulge in too much sugar or calories, there are still many great options to choose from at your local pub that won’t set your nutrition goals back. Continue below for a list of some of the top-recommended and most frequently ordered low calories cocktails that are the perfect refreshing finish to a long work day. You may be surprised to learn which drink comes in at the lowest calories!

Downtown Indianapolis Skinny Cocktails
Downtown Indianapolis Skinny Cocktails 317-822-5070

Cocktails Under 200 Calories

You do not have to jeopardize your summer fitness plan, nor ruin your nutrition goals, every time you want to relax and have some cocktails. Instead, just stick to some popular alcoholic refreshments that are made with simple ingredients, and do not have any added sugars. Here are some top-recommended cocktails that come in at under 200 calories per drink, in order from lowest to highest:

Champagne

Nutrition: 90 Calories
Add some fresh fruit or a splash of juice for added flavor.

Vodka & Soda With Lime

Nutrition: 100 Calories
Ingredients: Vodka, Soda Water, and a Lime Wedge

Rum & Diet Coke

Nutrition: 100 Calories
Ingredients: Rum, Diet Coke, Lime Wedge

Sazerac

Nutrition: 135 Calories
Ingredients: Whiskey, Absinth, Bitters, Sugar, and Water

Gin & Tonic With Lemon

Nutrition: 150 Calories
Ingredients: Gin, Tonic Water, and Lemon Wedge

Old Fashioned

Nutrition: 155 Calories
Ingredients: Bourbon, Bitters, and Sugar

Paloma

Nutrition: 165 Calories
Ingredients: Tequila, Grapefruit Juice, Soda Water, and a Lime Wedge
For fewer calories, forgo a sugar-coated rim.

Mojito

Nutrition: 170 Calories
Ingredients: White Rum, Simple Syrup, Mint Leaves, Lime Wedge

Martini

Nutrition: 175 Calories
Ingredients: Vodka or Gin, Vermouth (Olives Optional)
For less calories, order it “dry” and forgo the olives.

Gimlet

Nutrition: 180 Calories
Ingredients: Any Liquor, Rose’s® Sweet Lime Juice, and Lime Wedge
For less calories, swap Rose’s® for a dash of simple syrup and fresh-squeezed lime.

➡ When in doubt, stick to some general rules of thumb for concocting a lo-calorie, skinny drink:

☑ Avoid premixed drinks, mixes, syrups, and liqueurs.
☑ Swap soda for sparkling water or soda water.
☑ Swap red wine for white wine.
☑ Choose simple recipes with few ingredients.
☑ Use fresh fruit to enhance flavor.

Delish Skinny Cocktails in Downtown Indianapolis

Contact English Ivy’s at 317-822-5070 to hear about our delicious summertime cocktail list and drink specials! We have a full bar stocked with all your favorites, including premium liquors, wine, beer, and more. So if you need a new “Gay-thering” place for your group, trust English Ivy’s bar and restaurant for phenomenal food, fun, and friendship!

317-822-5070