Come January 1, we all have the same train of thought going on — we want to lose weight, we want to be healthier, yet we don’t necessarily want to give up our daily dose of alcohol. As much as our resolutions mean to us, giving up happy hour and social outings isn’t exactly the kind of sacrifice we were looking to make.
But who says you have to? The key to retaining resolutions, while also maintaining a social life, is to make smarter decisions at the bar. We’ve compiled a list of seven drinks under 100 calories that you can find at any bar you find yourself in, even your local dive.
Rum and Diet Coke
Well drinks are great. They’re easy to drink, hard to mess up, and always affordable during happy hour. However, the killer of well drinks is the sugary mixers that bartenders use to create your concoction. Swapping out the cola for diet soda in your rum and Coke will cut the calories in half!
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Gin and Diet Tonic
Like with rum and Cokes, swapping out calorie-dense mixers will make a world of a difference in your alcohol calorie consumption. While diet tonic is certainly less popular than Diet Coke, we’d highly recommend taking advantage of the situation if you find yourself at a bar that offers it and slurping down a gin and diet tonic.
Approximate calorie count: 75.
Sparkling Wine
For all of our wine lovers watching their calories, sparkling wine clocks in lower than its red and white cousins. And we’re not complaining — bubbles are the most fun to drink anyway.
Approximate calorie count (per standard 4-ounce serving): 85-100.
Light Beer
We know, we know, it’s never as good as the regular stuff. However, if you’re planning to throw back multiple pints, doing so with most craft/regular beers could run you over 800 calories! Stick with Miller Light, Michelob Ultra, and good old Natty Light to stay under 100 calories.
Approximate calorie count (per 12-ounce serving): 95-99
Vodka Soda
Ah, yes, the classic well drink for those looking to simultaneously watch their waistlines while still enjoy the inebriating effects of alcohol.
Approximate calorie count: 65.
Red Bull and Sugar-Free Vodka
Picking up on the theme here? Zero. Calorie. Mixers. Though we wouldn’t recommend drinking more than one or two of these, unless you’re looking to give yourself a heart attack.
Approximate calorie count: 64.
Amaro
Amaro is one of our favorite things to be drinking right now. These after-dinner digestifs take neutral spirits and macerate them in herbs, barks, and other natural flavors to create deliciously refreshing spirits. Some of our favorites are Braulio, Cynar, and Averna, though countless others worth trying exist.
Approximate calorie count: 75.
