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Low-Calorie Summer Cocktails

16 Low-Calorie Cocktail Recipes to Make When You Want Something Light and Refreshing

It doesn't matter where you are — poolside, hanging out in a nice air-conditioned home, or chilling on the front porch — there's something exceptionally satisfying about an ice-cold ultrarefreshing cocktail in your hand on a sweltering summer day. The only downside is that throwing back a few drinks can start to add up, calorie-wise. Though we can't make all the calories disappear, we did our best to round up some truly tasty, low-calorie options for you to indulge in all summer long. Read ahead for the best low-calorie cocktail recipes and cheers to these de(light)ful drinks!

— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano

Image Source: Hello Fresh

1. Elderflower-Grapefruit Paloma

Created by Bartender Tobin Shea at Redbird restaurant in LA, this elderflower-grapefruit paloma takes full advantage of seasonal ingredients, making it a drink that tastes exactly like something you'd be sipping during summer holiday. The fresh grapefruit juice makes it ultralight and ultrarefreshing.

Ingredients:

  • Ice
  • 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila, like Herradura Silver
  • 1/4 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
  • 1 1/2 ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
  • 2 ounces soda
  • 1/2 ounce agave syrup

Directions: Fill a shaker with ice. Add all ingredients, except for soda. Close and shake well. Add soda and strain into Collins glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

2. LaCroix Pamplemousse Paloma

Since LaCroix has zero calories, it's no wonder this refreshing cocktail made the list! Made with just a handful of fresh ingredients, this delightful LaCroix paloma can be made in minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 5 oz. Pamplemousse LaCroix
  • 2 oz. tequila
  • 1 oz. fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz. Grand Marnier (or triple sec)
  • Kosher salt
  • Lime wedge (for serving)

Directions: Prepare the glass by rubbing the rim with a lime wedge. Fill a small plate with salt and dip the wet rim of the glass in the salt. Pour LaCroix into salt-rimmed glass. Combine tequila, lime juice, and Grand Marnier in a measuring glass or cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and stir or shake well to combine, about 20 seconds. Pour over salt-rimmed glass of LaCroix and garnish with lime wedge.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Tara Block

3. Strawberry Margarita

Take full advantage of summer's best produce offering when you whip up this low-calorie strawberry margarita. Made with fresh berries and a dash of tequila, this is really a dream come true.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 of a pint of strawberries
  • 1 cup tequila
  • 1/2 cup orange liqueur
  • 4 limes, juiced
  • Ice

Directions: In a blender, blend strawberries, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Fill a pitcher with ice and pour in the blended margarita. Stir well to ensure that the mixture is combined. Prepare the glasses by rubbing each rim with a lime wedge. Fill a small plate with salt and dip the wet rim of the glass in the salt. Divide margarita into the salted glasses, and garnish each glass with a strawberry and lime wedge. Enjoy immediately!

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

4. Cucumber-Mint Gin Cocktail

Shake up the traditional mojito by giving it a drool-worthy gin spin. Since gin only has 73 calories in an ounce, this cucumber-mint gin cocktail recipe is super light and super refreshing.

Ingredients:

  • 5 cucumber slices, divided
  • 2 sprigs of mint
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 1/2 ounces gin, such as Beefeater 24

Directions: Add three slices of cucumber, the leaves from a sprig of mint, and the simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Muddle. Add the lime juice, gin, and ice, and shake until chilled. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. Spank the remaining sprig of mint before garnishing the cocktail with it and the remaining two slices of cucumber.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry

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5. Coconut Water Margarita

If you're looking for something hydrating and light that will give you a buzz, we recommend this coconut water margarita. The key is to naturally sweeten it with a fresh squeeze of orange juice!

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz of premium blanco tequila (Casamigos used here)
  • 0.5 oz of Grand Marnier
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 orange wedge
  • 1 splash of fresh coconut water

Directions: Take a lime wedge and use it rub the rim on the edge of a rocks-glass. Then, dip it into some freshly ground pink Himalayan salt. You won't need too much because the saltiness is a very strong flavour. Next, combine all remaining ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Once mixed, pour over fresh ice in your salted rocks-glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Zack Peter

6. Aviation Cocktail

The aviation, a classic Prohibition-era cocktail, consists of: gin, lemon juice, crème de violette, maraschino liqueur, and cherries (no, not the glowingly red sort) mingle into an elegant, lavender-hued beverage that you'll likely either love or hate; the only way to find out is to try it for yourself!

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 ounces gin
  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3/4 ounces maraschino liqueur
  • 1/4 ounce crème de violette (optional)
  • Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Directions: Add the gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until thoroughly chilled, strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry

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