Trying to lose weight and going out with friends for drinks doesn't have to be mutually exclusive. Alcohol is considered an "empty calorie" drink. However, there are alcoholic beverages with more or fewer calories.
We want it to be clear that we do not recommend the consumption of alcohol in any of its forms. But neither are we going to live oblivious to what the vast majority of the population asks when these dates arrive: what cocktail can I have without ruining my diet?
The truth is, spirits (vodka, tequila, rum, gin, and whiskey) have the same amount of calories and grams of carbs and sugar per shot. Although the larger the shot of alcohol, the more calories there will be per shot. But what kind of differences are we talking about? An 80 proof spirit like Tennessee Daniel's Jack Whiskey or Gray Goose Vodka has 97 calories, 0 grams of carbs, and 0 grams of sugar per shot. A glass of Tanqueray No. 94 or Teeling Irish Whiskey has 116 calories, 0 grams of carbohydrates and 0 grams of sugar. The difference really isn't as significant as you'll see.
Where you will see a substantial difference is when you start ordering margaritas or "craft cocktails" from the menu. Most of the time, these include simple sugar mixes, sweetened liqueurs, and other add-ins that are loaded with sugar and more calories. Ordering multi-alcohol cocktails can often bring the 100-calorie drink with zero grams of sugar closer to around 300 calories, along with a hefty dose of added sugar.
Here are the "best" options for ordering for a special occasion, without straying too far from your weight loss.
Vodka
Skip the Moscow cosmopolitans, screwdrivers and mules. Vodka drinks with juice and ginger beer will have added sugar and extra calories. The good news is that there are plenty of other ways to enjoy vodka that don't require adding sugary sweetness to the cocktail.
- vodka drink. Enjoy vodka on the rocks and lemon, lime, or fresh herbs for flavor.
- Bloody Mary. This is a good option if you want to go out for lunch. You'll want to avoid these if they're made with a mix of several alcohols because this means you'll get added sugars and a lot of additives. A traditional Bloody Mary is made with vodka, tomato juice, hot sauce, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and herbs. While it has more calories than just a shot of liquor, most of the extra calories come from tomato juice, which is actually a healthy mixer thanks to its lycopene content. However, this drink can be high in sodium, so keep in mind if salt intake is a concern for you
- Vodka with a little juice. Order a vodka cocktail and some orange or grapefruit juice. This way, you can add a bit of juice to complete the drink and give it a bit more flavor.
Tequila
For many, tequila is synonymous with a margarita, but we're here to change that. You can still order your margarita with the salt rim, just here are some tips to make it healthier along with other ways to drink tequila.
- Just cold. If you're drinking a good tequila, you can enjoy it in shots or on its own after chilling.
- modified daisy. First, if you're at a chain bar or restaurant, this may not be the place to order a margarita. You'll most likely be served a sugary margarita mix, though it's always worth asking what's in it. Otherwise, try ordering an adapted version: tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. If this is too strong, you can add a little sparkling water. If you want to make it spicy, add sliced jalapenos. Skip the salt rim.
- covered pigeon. A traditional and refreshing paloma cocktail includes tequila, fresh lime juice, salt and grapefruit soda. Instead, you can order tequila, lime juice, sparkling water, and some grapefruit juice.
Geneva
Gin seems to be becoming a favorite drink for many. A May 2019 report from International Wine and Spirits Research found that gin is currently the fastest growing spirit. But before you order a gin and tonic, let me share some tips to make it "healthier".
- gin rickey. Not to be confused with a lime rickey, which includes plain sugar; a rickey gin is simply gin, freshly squeezed lime juice and sparkling water. You can specify to your barista that you do not want them to add juices, just to be safe and there is no confusion.
- gin with soft drinks. You can add lime, but cucumber also blends really well. Ask for a few cucumber slices to mix on the bottom.
Other spirits like rum and whiskey are also options, but again, it all comes down to how you enjoy them. Avoid adding soft drinks, juices, and sugary mixes.
Other tips
Going out for a drink or two with friends can certainly fit in with your weight loss plans, especially if you follow some of the options we've recommended. But there are other factors to take into account.
Once you have a drink or two, your inhibitions are lowered. You may be tempted to order another drink… and then another. Just keep this in mind when you head out. Keep up the pace and drink water along with your favorite beverage to stay hydrated.
Also, drinking affects your sleep. You may fall asleep faster, but the quality of your sleep will suffer. And we know that not getting enough sleep can wreak havoc on our weight loss efforts.
We'll also be sure to make our own drinks at home instead of buying pre-made mixers, which are often high in sugar and calories. Instead of using high-calorie sugars or syrups, we can enhance the flavor of drinks with fresh herbs such as rosemary, mint, basil, or lavender.
In addition, we can opt for low-calorie or sugar-free varieties of supplements, such as soda or tonic water, which are widely available and often contain few or no calories. Finally, we will adjust the proportion of the ingredients can be beneficial. We will try to use more ice, sparkling water or mineral water and less soda or juice in the drink.