Nutrition Diet: What is the lowest calorie drink you can order at a bar?

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

A single, sugary cocktail can contain upwards of 400 calories, a significant portion of an average person's daily intake. Knowing what is the lowest calorie drink you can order at a bar can be a game-changer for anyone looking to enjoy a night out while staying on track with their nutritional goals.

Quick Summary

Clear spirits like vodka, gin, or tequila mixed with zero-calorie club soda and a citrus garnish represent the lowest calorie alcohol options at a bar. Low-calorie beers, hard seltzers, and dry wines are other waistline-friendly alternatives to high-calorie, sugary cocktails.

Key Points

Spirits with zero-calorie mixers are the lowest calorie option: A vodka, gin, or tequila with club soda is the most diet-friendly choice.
Avoid sugary mixers: Syrups, juices, and full-sugar tonics drastically increase a drink's calorie count.
Choose light beer or hard seltzer: These offer satisfying flavor with a lower calorie count than regular beer.
Opt for dry wines: Dry champagne, prosecco, or white wine have fewer calories than sweeter varietals.
Customize your order: Ask the bartender to use diet mixers or fresh citrus to create a healthier version of a classic cocktail.
Alternate with water: Staying hydrated with water between alcoholic drinks helps manage your overall calorie intake.
Be aware of creamy drinks: Cocktails made with cream, like a Piña Colada, are extremely high in calories and sugar.

Your Guide to Ordering the Lowest Calorie Drinks

When focusing on your nutrition and diet, navigating a bar menu can be tricky. Many popular cocktails are laden with sugar and can pack as many calories as a small meal. The key to finding the lowest calorie drink is to start with a low-calorie base and pair it with a zero-calorie mixer. Pure, unflavored spirits like vodka, gin, or tequila contain the fewest calories per serving, and mixing them with calorie-free club soda or sparkling water is the winning combination for a truly low-calorie drink.

The All-Time Lowest Calorie Combination: Spirit with Soda

For the absolute minimum calorie count, a simple combination of a clear spirit and soda water is your best bet. A standard 1.5-ounce shot of vodka, for instance, contains about 97 calories. Since club soda and seltzer water have zero calories, a vodka soda with a squeeze of fresh lime will clock in at under 100 calories, making it one of the most diet-friendly options available. This same principle applies to other clear spirits as well.

Vodka Soda: Approximately 97 calories for a 1.5 oz pour, plus a lime wedge.
Gin Soda: Around 98 calories for a 1.5 oz pour, often with a lemon twist or cucumber.
Tequila Soda: Also about 98 calories for a 1.5 oz pour, served with fresh lime juice.

For added flavor without the calories, ask for a garnish of fresh herbs like mint or rosemary, or a splash of citrus juice. Simply inform the bartender you want your drink with "club soda" rather than "tonic," which contains added sugar.

Other Low-Calorie Alternatives

If a spirit with soda isn't your preference, there are other low-calorie options you can order at a bar. Many of these are also widely available and require minimal modification.

Light Beer: With options like Michelob Ultra offering as few as 95 calories per 12-ounce serving, light beer is a popular choice for calorie-conscious beer drinkers. Brands typically list calorie counts on their labels, so check for the lowest options.
Hard Seltzer: These trendy beverages are typically low in calories and carbs, with many containing around 100 calories per can. They come in various fruit flavors and are a fizzy, refreshing alternative to beer.
Dry Wine: Opt for a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, or go for dry (brut or extra-brut) champagne or prosecco. These generally have fewer calories and less sugar than sweeter wine varietals. A 4-ounce glass of dry champagne has about 85-95 calories, while a 5-ounce glass of dry white wine is around 120 calories.
Wine Spritzer: A white wine spritzer is a great way to reduce calories while still enjoying wine. By mixing three parts wine with one part club soda, you can lower the overall alcohol content and calorie count, with a typical 5-ounce drink around 75 calories.

How to Avoid Hidden Calories at the Bar

While choosing a low-calorie drink is a solid first step, knowing what to avoid is equally important for your diet. The largest calorie culprits in cocktails are sugary mixers, syrups, and liqueurs. Stay vigilant by keeping these pointers in mind:

Beware of Juices: While fresh citrus juice is fine, high-sugar fruit juices like cranberry or orange juice can add hundreds of calories to a single drink. Always ask for a small splash or opt for diet versions if available.
Skip Syrups and Sweeteners: Simple syrup, grenadine, and sweet-and-sour mix are packed with sugar. If a cocktail recipe calls for these, ask for a sugar-free alternative or a very small amount.
Watch Out for Creamy Drinks: Drinks like white Russians or piña coladas, which contain cream or coconut cream, are extremely high in calories due to their fat and sugar content.
Order a “Skinny” Version: Many classic cocktails, like margaritas and mojitos, can be made into a lower-calorie version by replacing sugary components with alternatives like sugar-free sweeteners and club soda.

Comparison of Bar Drink Calories

Understanding the calorie differences between common bar choices can help you make informed decisions. The following table illustrates how a smart choice can save you a significant number of calories.


Drink Type	Standard Serving Size	Estimated Calories	Notes
Vodka Soda with Lime	8 oz	82-100 kcal	Minimal sugar and calories, refreshing.
Light Beer (e.g., Michelob Ultra)	12 oz	~95 kcal	Low in alcohol and carbohydrates.
Hard Seltzer	12 oz can	~100 kcal	Often flavored, low in sugar and carbs.
Dry Champagne	4 oz	85-95 kcal	Dry varieties contain very little sugar.
Gin & Diet Tonic	6 oz	~100 kcal	Swapping to diet tonic eliminates calories from sugar.
Vodka Tonic (Regular)	8 oz	~150-160 kcal	Standard tonic water adds significant sugar and calories.
Regular Beer (e.g., Lager)	12 oz	150-200+ kcal	Higher alcohol content and carbohydrates lead to more calories.
Standard Margarita	8 oz	280+ kcal	Sugary mix and liqueurs increase calorie count.
Piña Colada	6 oz	378+ kcal	Creamy mixers, sugar, and rum create a very high-calorie drink.

Conclusion

For those on a nutritional diet, the lowest calorie drink you can order at a bar is undoubtedly a clear spirit mixed with a zero-calorie mixer like club soda, garnished with fresh citrus. While options like light beer, hard seltzers, and dry wines also provide low-calorie alternatives, the key to staying on track is to be aware of hidden sugars in mixers and opt for simple, clean drinks. By making mindful choices, you can enjoy social occasions without derailing your health goals. Remember, moderation is essential regardless of your beverage choice.

For more information on alcohol and health, consider consulting resources like the CDC.

Frequently Asked Questions

The absolute lowest calorie drink you can order is a neat pour of a clear spirit like vodka, gin, or tequila. When consumed without a mixer, a standard 1.5 oz shot contains under 100 calories. A spirit mixed with zero-calorie club soda and a lime wedge is a close second.

Yes, regular tonic water contains sugar and therefore has calories. A much healthier choice is to ask for diet tonic water, which is a zero-calorie alternative, especially for a gin and tonic.

Yes, hard seltzers are an excellent low-calorie option. Most brands typically contain around 100 calories per 12-ounce can, with very low or zero sugar and carbs.

To make a skinny margarita, ask the bartender to use tequila, fresh lime juice, and a sugar-free sweetener instead of a pre-made sugary mix. Some keto-friendly recipes also include a splash of orange extract.

Yes, in moderation, particularly dry red and white wines. They generally contain fewer calories than cocktails, with dry champagne and lighter wines being the lowest calorie wine options.

Avoid cocktails with sugary mixers, syrups, liqueurs, fruit juices, and creamy ingredients. Examples include most sodas, margaritas with standard mix, and creamy drinks like a white Russian or piña colada.

You can still lose weight while drinking alcohol, but moderation is key. Choosing low-calorie drink options and alternating with water can significantly reduce your calorie intake from beverages, helping you stay on track with your goals.