The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Cocktails for Your Health
Fruity, fresh, and filled with light spirits. That’s what we tend to think about cocktails. But did you know that sugar filled cocktails could be ruining your healthy diet? You’d never dream of eating a burger after dinner, but that’s the equivalent of what you could be doing by indulging in an evening cocktail after dessert.
We’ve put together a list of the most calorific cocktails that you’ll find on a cocktail menu, as well as some healthy cocktails that you can order instead.
The biggest offenders
Sugar filled, boozy, and mixed with cream. These are the cocktails to avoid if you’re wanting to be good. But if you deserve a treat, go for it!
Cuba libre
Coke, lime, and rum, how can this be bad? It’s not our worst offender, for sure, but this drink which is mainly sugary cola racks up the calories. Each one of these contains 250 calories – about two bags of crisps.
White russian
Vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. This cocktail packs in a solid 425 calories per drink. This is the equivalent of having a McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger. Wow.
Chocolate martini
This drink should really be counted as a pudding. But if you want to have your cake, then drink it, choose this cocktail mixed up with 430 calories. Or, treat yourself to a 6-inch Roasted BBQ Chicken Subway!
Frozen daiquiris
These drinks usually come in huge glasses and are blended with flavoured sugar syrups. Depending on the size, you can expect these drinks to be filled with around 500-600 calories, equal to around 2 slices of a large Domino’s pepperoni pizza. Tasty!
Mai Tai
A Polynesian-style classic, this cocktail is made up of three different spirits which rack up the calorie count. The drink contains 610 calories which is equal to a Burger King Whopper burger. This really changes the meaning of a cheeky Tiki!
Piña colada
If you like Piña Coladas, and KFC chicken wings, this is the drink for you. With cream, pineapple juice, and rum, this drink clocks in at 645 calories, making it our worst offender! It is the equivalent of eating 10 KFC hot chicken wings.
Swap them for these healthy cocktails!
Drinking delicious cocktails need not ruin your healthy eating! These six cocktails are all under 170 calories, so you can enjoy them guilt-free!
Vodka Soda
A simple classic, vodka and soda with a slither of lime will only put you back 95 calories! This is the king of healthy cocktails.
Old fashioned
Loved for many reasons, this cocktail is tasty and perfect for whiskey lovers. With only 155 calories per cocktail, you can have a couple!
Gin and tonic
A cocktail that’s known for being allowed on diets, the G and T clocks up 150 calories. Careful with the tonics though, and always opt for the sugar-free tonic if you’re being good!
Mojito
A surprising cocktail on this list, we thought it would be more of a sinner, but this zesty Cuban drink only contains 170 calories. Easy on the sugar, though!
Paloma
Grapefruit and Tequila make this Mexican drink one of our favourite healthy cocktails. With only 165 calories in this drink, we’ll be ditching the lime and salt to enjoy this one!
Cosmopolitan
The Sex and the City girls were right in drinking this one, with only 150 calories per cocktail, we’ll be reaching for a few more of these healthy cocktails!
Stay healthy, but remember to treat yourself, it’s good to be naughty once in awhile!
If low sugar cocktails are still on your radar, check out our blog post Reduced Sugar Drinks for Diabetics.
