The Lowest Calorie Spritz: Your Guide to Refreshing Low-Calorie Cocktails

November 13, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition experts, sugary mixers are often the primary culprit for excess calories in cocktails, but a standard Aperol spritz can contain around 125 calories. Fortunately, a simple white wine spritzer holds the title for the lowest calorie spritz, with many versions containing as few as 75 calories. This guide will help you craft this and other delicious, low-calorie spritz options at home, proving that you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail without derailing your health goals.

Quick Summary

A white wine spritzer is the most calorie-friendly spritz, offering a simple and light alternative to heavier cocktails. This guide explores the different calorie counts of popular spritz recipes and provides practical tips and recipes for creating refreshing, low-calorie variations at home, focusing on smart ingredient swaps and portion control.

Key Points

Wine Spritzer is the Lightest: The white wine spritzer, made with a dry white wine and club soda, contains the fewest calories, often around 75 per glass.
Mixer Matters: Calorie-free mixers like club soda or sparkling water are crucial for keeping spritzes light and refreshing.
Flavor with Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh citrus, herbs like mint or rosemary, or muddled fruit to add flavor without extra sugar.
Vodka is a Low-Cal Base: A vodka soda with a squeeze of lime is a very low-calorie spritz alternative, often under 100 calories.
Control Your Pours: To reduce calories in traditional recipes, use less of the caloric liqueur (e.g., Aperol) and top up with extra club soda.
Choose a Dry Wine: Selecting a dry wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio minimizes the sugar content of your spritzer.
Dilute with Ice: Adding plenty of ice will dilute your drink, helping you consume it more slowly and reducing total alcohol and calorie intake per hour.

The Undisputed Winner: The Simple White Wine Spritzer

When searching for the absolute lowest calorie spritz, the answer lies in simplicity. A white wine spritzer, made with dry white wine and club soda or sparkling water, is the clear winner. A typical 5-ounce drink contains approximately 75 calories, significantly less than other spritz varieties. The calorie count comes primarily from the wine itself, while the club soda adds volume and effervescence for virtually zero calories.

To create the lightest version, use a low-calorie or low-sugar dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or even a low-calorie Prosecco. The key is to avoid sweeter wines, as the sugar content will directly increase the calorie count. The customizable nature of a wine spritzer also allows for calorie control—add more sparkling water to further dilute the wine and reduce the total calorie load per glass.

The Super-Simple White Wine Spritzer Recipe

Ingredients:

3 oz dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio)
2 oz club soda or sparkling water
Ice
Lemon or lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a wine glass with ice.
Pour in the wine, followed by the club soda.
Gently stir and garnish with a fresh citrus wedge.

Exploring Other Low-Calorie Spritz Alternatives

While the white wine spritzer is the leader, other refreshing options can be tailored to be low in calories. These variations often rely on low-calorie spirits and fresh ingredients instead of high-sugar liqueurs and syrups.

Vodka Spritz: A vodka spritz, essentially a vodka soda with a citrus twist, is another excellent choice. With about 96 calories per 1.5-ounce serving of vodka, adding calorie-free club soda keeps the count down. Adding muddled cucumber, fresh mint, or a splash of fresh-squeezed citrus juice enhances the flavor without adding significant calories.

Cucumber Elderflower Spritz: For a floral twist, a spritz with elderflower liqueur can be made lighter. Use a low-sugar elderflower liqueur if available, and combine with vodka, fresh lime juice, and soda water. Muddle fresh cucumber and mint for a spa-like taste.

Hugo Spritz: This popular European spritz uses elderflower liqueur instead of a bitter aperitif, resulting in a floral and fruity, but not overly sweet, flavor profile. Made with elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water, it's a great lower-sugar option.

Tips for Crafting a Calorie-Conscious Spritz

Making a spritz lighter is often a matter of making smart ingredient choices. Here are some actionable tips:

Prioritize a Dry Base: Use dry wines or spirits as your base, as they contain less residual sugar.
Maximize Zero-Calorie Mixers: Utilize club soda, seltzer, or sparkling water to fill your glass, giving you volume and fizz without calories.
Flavor with Freshness: Add fresh herbs like mint or rosemary, and fresh citrus juice or slices, to provide flavor without added sugar.
Dilute with Ice: Use plenty of ice to fill your glass. It chills the drink and provides more liquid volume, helping you consume your drink slower and enjoy it longer.
Avoid Sugary Liqueurs and Syrups: While traditional spritzes use these, they are the main source of added sugar. Measure them carefully or look for low-sugar alternatives.

Comparison of Popular Spritzes


Spritz Type	Base Alcohol	Key Flavoring	Approx. Calories	Calorie-Saving Tip
White Wine Spritzer	Dry White Wine	Soda Water, Citrus	75	Use low-sugar wine and add extra soda water.
Vodka Spritz	Vodka	Soda Water, Citrus	96-110	Flavor with fresh herbs and fruit, not sugary mixers.
Hugo Spritz	Prosecco	Elderflower Liqueur, Mint	100-120	Opt for a low-sugar elderflower liqueur.
Aperol Spritz	Prosecco	Aperol (bitter orange)	125	Reduce the Aperol portion and increase club soda.
Campari Spritz	Prosecco	Campari (more bitter)	150+	A more bitter, and often higher-calorie, option due to the liqueur.

Conclusion: Sip Smart and Savor the Moment

While the classic Italian Aperol Spritz is a beloved staple, the absolute lowest calorie spritz is the humble white wine spritzer, clocking in at around 75 calories. By understanding the components that contribute to a cocktail's calorie count, you can make informed decisions to create delicious and refreshing drinks without the guilt. Whether you prefer a crisp wine spritzer, a zesty vodka soda, or a floral Hugo, using fresh ingredients and zero-calorie mixers is the key to enjoying your spritz mindfully. Remember to savor each sip, stay hydrated with plenty of water, and enjoy your light and flavorful creation responsibly. Learn more about low-calorie alcoholic options from EatingWell.

Frequently Asked Questions

A white wine spritzer, made with a dry white wine and club soda, is the lowest calorie spritz, typically containing around 75 calories per glass.

To lower the calories in an Aperol Spritz, use less Aperol and more club soda or sparkling water. You can also use a low-calorie Prosecco as your base.

While not a traditional spritz, a vodka soda with a splash of citrus is often considered a low-calorie spritz alternative. It's one of the simplest and lightest options available.

A vodka spritz is an excellent low-calorie spirit-based option. Simply combine 1.5 oz of vodka with club soda and a fresh squeeze of lemon or lime.

The calorie count for a Hugo Spritz is typically lower than an Aperol Spritz, often between 100-120 calories, as it uses elderflower liqueur instead of a bitter aperitif.

Fresh fruit and herbs add natural flavor without the high sugar content found in many syrups and liqueurs. They allow you to enhance your drink's taste with minimal calories.

Yes, you can create a low-calorie non-alcoholic spritz using flavored sparkling water, fresh fruit, and herbs. Brands like Wilfred's Aperitif also offer non-alcoholic, low-calorie spritz alternatives.