Summer drinks alternatives that won’t bust the diet
An afternoon in the sunshine almost always requires a tipple, but your favourtie cocktail is probably even higher in sugar than you think. Follow these simple swaps to slimline your summer sippage…
AlamySwap a mint julep…
A favourite of Gatsby and the like, this is made by muddling mint leaves with bourbon and sugar syrup, serving with crushed ice.
Calories: 246
iStockFor whisky and green tea
This is a favourite with the Chinese – and they are known to be uber-healthy. Fill a glass with ice, pour over 60ml of Mickey Finn whisky and top up with chilled green tea before adding a lemon wedge.
Calories: 114
iStockSwap a pina colada…
Perhaps more fitting for the beach than a UK beer garden, but we do like getting caught in the rain…
Calories: 205
Sugar: 16 teaspoons
iStockFor a light white Cuban
The rum equivalent of a white Russian, make this with two shots of chilled espresso, skimmed milk and white rum, poured over ice.
Calories: 109
iStockSwap white wine…
The sun comes out, you reach for the Pinot Grigio, right?
Calories: 147 for a medium glass
AlamyFor a wine spritzer
We’d recommend steering clear of low-calorie wines (they’re usually an affront to the tastebuds of vino fans) and bulking out your glass with a serving of soda water instead.
Calories: 97 for a medium glass
iStockSwap vodka cranberry…
The refreshing favourite isn’t too bad, but cranberry juice can pack a hefty sugar punch.
Calories: 195 for a single
Cherry GoodFor vodka and Cherrygood Light
Mixing good quality vodka with a low-calorie fruit juice is a way to swipe some of the calories without compromising on taste.
Calories: 103 for a single
iStockSwap sangria…
Is there another pitcher of liquid gold that is so intrinsic to our idea of summer? Nope.
Calories: 256 per serving
iStockFor your own slimline pitcher
Try this sangria recipe that swaps out some of the sugary fruit and booze for healthier alternatives:
1.5 bottles red wine
60ml triple sec
475ml sparkling lemon/lime/orange-flavored water (make sure the brand you choose has no added sugar)
1 pear diced
175g fresh strawberries, diced
2 oranges diced or sliced (not peeled)
175g pineapple chunks
60ml orange juice
Calories: 152 per serving (the recipe serves 10)
Swap Foster’s Radler…
Lager made ladylike, this tastes like Grandma’s ol’ cloudy lemonade but with a kick.
Calories: 105
iStockFor Carling’s Grapefruit Cooler
Even better, this new grown-up alcopop is half lager, half fruit juice – and low in calories.
Calories: 60
iStockSwap a premixed margarita…
It may look chic but this simple tequila-based cocktail hides a multitude of calorific sins.
Calories: 210
iStockFor tequila with soda water and lime
Mixologists may argue over tequila or lime being the main ingredient of a margarita, and while they do, make yourself a healthier equivalent by mixing a shot of tequila with soda water and squeeze a couple of fresh limes into the drinks. Salt rim optional.
Calories: 80
iStockSwap your classic shandy…
Beer + lemonade – you know the drill
Calories: 148
AlamyFor a summertime shandy
Lemonade brings nothing to this drink but extra cals, so instead of reaching for the soda, mix two parts light beer with one part sparkling water with lemon and agave syrup to taste.
Calories: 96 (without the syrup)
Swap Stella Artois Cidre Raspberry
Everything tastes better with a dose of fruit, but it does bring its little friend sugar to the party.
Calories: 218
iStockFor Crabbie’s Fruits Black Cherry
The ginger beer connoisseurs have created a new fruit range which clocks in at fewer calories than others out there.
Calories: 174
iStockSwap gin and tonic…
Touted as a brilliant tipple for slimmers, the sugary tonic mixer brings as many calories to the table as the gin.
Calories: 107 for a single
iStockFor gin and diet lime
Switch up your tonic for a diet version of lemon and lime (7up, Sprite etc) and half the damage.
Calories: 53 for a single
Swap your usual Pimm’s mix…
Pimm’s No 1 & Lemonade
Calories: 160
For their diet one
The kind folks at Pimm’s have done the hard work for you, so all you need to do is pick up their new lighter option and save nearly 70 calories per can.
Pimm’s & Diet Lemonade
Calories: 91
iStockSwap this strawberry daiquiri…
Between the triple sec, sugar syrup and the fresh strawberries, this alcoholic (albeit, tasty) slushie can quickly become heavy on the cals.
Calories: 190
iStockFor a no-added-sugar version
Instead of following the traditional recipe, blend your rum with fresh orange juice rather than liqueur and leave the sugar syrup to one side in favour of a few more ripe strawberries – they’ll bring enough sweetness.
Calories: 118
iStockSwap Corona Extra…
We think it’s fair to say that once 'beer garden it is' hits, we suddenly turn into big Corona fans, but the golden stuff isn’t too kind to our waistlines.
Calories: 160
iStockFor Corona Light
It’s just as well then, that the masters behind the lager decided to create a light version, which tastes just as good with a wedge of lime stuffed in the bottle neck.
Calories: 105
AlamySwap a Dark ‘n’ Stormy…
A GLAMOUR favourite, this mixture of dark rum and ginger beer isn’t too kind when it comes to calorie count.
Calories: 205 for a single
AlamyFor something lighter and less stormy
Switching the dark rum for light and swapping out the sugary ginger beer for diet ginger ale makes a big difference.
Calories: 75 for a single
iStockSwap a Ruby Orange Galvanina...
It’s only fair to include a drink that your designated driver is going to appreciate…
Calories: 167
Gusto Organic’s Orangeade
But they might thank you more if you serve up this botanical organic fruit drink which promises energy and vitality into the bargain.
Calories: Less than 100
