Here's How To Day Drink Your Way Through Summer Without Feeling Guilty
It's the summer, and Lord knows we're not all saints. Day drinking and "darties" are things every 20-something does without a second thought. A friend invites you to her lake house for the day, and suddenly, you're two bottles of wine, half a pizza and some ice cream in. You have to wonder what the hell you're doing.
We all have that constant inner battle in which we debate how we can still enjoy our summer drinks without feeling the calories the next morning. I mean, let's face it: After a full day of drinking, the last thing you want to do the following day is run off the calories.
Thankfully, there are more options than one for a “healthy” cocktail on a hot summer day:
1. Mojito
Although a normal mojito is made with a lot of sugar, you can supplement the syrup for a sugar-free one or say no to the syrup all together. Mint, lime and club soda are indeed low in calories, and with mixing in about a shot of rum, you're up to about 150 calories.
If you decide to use the syrup with sugar, you're adding about 40 more to the picture, but it's all still less than 200 calories. Count me in. Mojitos are perfect for lounging by the pool and gushing about which guy Jojo should choose on "The Bachelorette."
2. Bacardi Rum And Diet Coke
Always a classic. Instead of going for the regular Coke, choose the Diet Coke and cut a few calories. You can't even tell the difference between diet and regular after your second one. If you really hate Diet Coke, use a spiced rum or even a vanilla rum to add a little flavor to it. You may be adding a few calories on, but it will sure taste delicious.
3. Cran-Grape Vodka
If you're a vodka-cran kind of girl, you will go nuts for this drink. All there is to it is one shot of vodka, 1.5 ounces of cranberry juice and add about 4 ounces of real grapefruit juice. This could set you back at only 180 calories.
4. Vanilla Vodka And Diet Ginger Ale
If you don't feel like you can get your hands on a slice of vanilla cake — because, well, cake is a girl's best friend, but also her worst enemy — try this cocktail out. Using only one shot at a time of vodka and some soda, you are drinking less than 100 calories. You can have your cake and drink it, too.
5. Tequila And Soda
OK, if you are not a tequila lover, then this drink may not hit the spot. Instead of adding the extra calories into your beloved margaritas, add a shot or two of tequila and some club soda, and just say, "Viva la tequila!" as you take it back. You can even squeeze a little lime juice into it for taste.
6. Champagne
Ah, everyone's favorite celebratory drink. A 6-ounce glass of bubbly is only around 140 calories. You can't go wrong with even throwing a few strawberries in the glass to make yourself feel even more healthy. Yes, a 12-ounce bottle of Corona is 148 calories, but wouldn't you rather toast to yourself and avoid the tummy bloat? I know I would.
7. Cosmopolitan
Cosmos consist mainly of vodka, lime juice and a little bit of cranberry juice. You can enjoy this delicious drink for about 150 calories. No wonder Carrie and her gang loved them so much. Not to mention, they're great for snapping that perfect Instagram.
Now that you have a few different options of low-calorie cocktails, all your worries about how much liquid you've consumed will be put out of your mind, and you can start to have a good time. Enjoy the sun and your new list of cocktails, and as always, happy drinking!
