What Premixed Alcoholic Drinks Are Low in Calories?

Over 50% of Americans consume alcohol routinely, and a growing number prefer ready-to-drink (RTD) options. Consumers often ask what premixed alcoholic drinks are low in calories. It involves drinks with minimal added sugar and simple ingredients, such as hard seltzers and spirit-based sodas.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the best low-calorie premixed alcoholic drinks like hard seltzers and canned vodka sodas. It details brands and products to minimize calories and sugar, helping consumers make informed choices.

Key Points

• Hard Seltzers are a Top Choice: Most hard seltzers contain only 90-100 calories and minimal sugar, making them a very popular low-calorie option.

• Seek Canned Spirit-Sodas: Canned vodka and tequila sodas often use real fruit juice and sparkling water, offering a clean cocktail taste with around 100 calories.

• Read the Label Closely: The key to finding truly low-calorie options is checking the nutritional label for added sugars and total calories, as marketing claims can be misleading.

• Avoid Syrupy Mixers: Premixed drinks that rely on clear spirits and soda water are inherently lower in calories than those made with high-sugar syrups and juices.

• Consider Canned Wine Spritzers: Mixing wine with calorie-free sparkling water is an effective way to cut down on calories, and some brands offer this premixed.

• Homemade is Simple: Creating your own low-calorie drinks with spirits, club soda, and fresh fruit is easy and gives you full control over the ingredients.

The Rise of Low-Calorie Premixed Drinks

In recent years, the beverage industry has seen a massive surge in popularity for premixed, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, particularly those marketed as low-calorie or "skinny." This trend reflects a broader consumer shift towards health-conscious choices, even when it comes to alcohol. The appeal of these drinks lies in their convenience and their simple, transparent ingredient lists. Instead of sugary, high-calorie mixers, many of these options rely on clear spirits, sparkling water, and natural flavorings.

Hard Seltzers: The King of Low-Calorie Cans

No discussion of low-calorie premixed drinks is complete without mentioning hard seltzers. These ubiquitous canned beverages have dominated the market by offering a light, refreshing, and low-calorie alternative to beer or sugary cocktails. Made from a base of fermented cane sugar, most hard seltzers deliver a consistent nutritional profile:

• White Claw Hard Seltzer: A blend of seltzer water, gluten-free alcohol base, and a hint of fruit flavor. A standard 12-ounce can contains 100 calories, 2g of carbs, and is 5% ABV.
• Truly Hard Seltzer: Another popular choice with a similar profile, typically featuring 100 calories and 2g of carbs per 12-ounce can.
• Corona Hard Seltzer: Offers a low-carb and zero-sugar option, with a typical can providing 90 calories and 0g of sugar and carbs.
• Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer: Known for its crisp, clean taste, it delivers 90 calories per 12-ounce can with 0g of sugar.

Hard seltzers are an ideal choice for those who want simplicity and flavor without the added sugars and excessive calories of traditional mixers. Their mild, fruity flavor profiles are derived from natural sources, rather than syrupy concentrates.

Canned Vodka Sodas and Spritzes

For a more robust flavor profile that still stays low-calorie, many brands now offer canned vodka sodas and spritzes. These ready-to-drink options replicate a classic cocktail by combining vodka, sparkling water, and often real fruit juice. The key is in using real ingredients and avoiding corn syrup and other artificial sweeteners.

• High Noon Sun Sips: A popular contender in the category, High Noon uses real vodka and real fruit juice, resulting in a clean and natural-tasting product. A 12-ounce can contains 100 calories and is gluten-free.
• Austin Cocktails Cucumber Vodka Sparkling Mojito: This brand offers a sophisticated, low-carb canned cocktail made with five-times distilled vodka and natural ingredients, resulting in a refreshing 100-calorie drink.
• Ketel One Botanical Vodka Spritzes: These are made with vodka, botanicals, and sparkling water, clocking in at just 89 calories per can. Their flavors are herbaceous and floral, appealing to a more discerning palate.
• NÜTRL Vodka Sodas: Featuring real fruit flavor and no added sugar, these gluten-free vodka seltzers contain 100 calories per can.

Tequila and Rum-Based Light Options

While hard seltzers and vodka sodas dominate, other spirits have also entered the low-calorie canned space. Tequila and rum-based drinks, when made properly, can also offer a light, refreshing alternative.

• Mamitas Tequila & Sodas: These tequila seltzers are gluten-free and contain around 95 calories with less than 2 grams of sugar per can.
• Good Boy The John Daly Cocktail: A low-calorie canned spiked tea cocktail made with real tea, craft vodka, and natural flavors. It is 95 calories per can and carb-free.
• Low-Calorie Rum and Diet Cola: Some brands offer a pre-mixed version of this simple classic, or you can easily make it yourself with diet cola and a splash of lime for minimal calories.

Comparison of Popular Low-Calorie Premixed Drinks

To help you decide, here's a side-by-side comparison of some popular low-calorie premixed options:

Drink Type	Base Spirit	Typical Calories (per 12oz)	Typical Sugar (per 12oz)	Key Feature	Best For
Hard Seltzer	Fermented Cane Sugar/Malt	90–100	0g–2g	Simple, crisp, and fruity flavors.	Calorie counters seeking a beer alternative.
Vodka Soda (Canned)	Vodka	89–100	0g–2g	Clean and natural taste from real fruit/botanicals.	Drinkers who prefer a more classic cocktail profile.
Tequila Soda (Canned)	Tequila	95–100	<2g	Zesty and authentic flavors.	Fans of tequila looking for a light, convenient option.
Canned Wine Spritzer	Wine	70–110	Varies (check label)	Bubbly, light, and wine-forward.	Wine lovers looking to reduce calories and alcohol.
Light Beer	Malt	90–100	2g–5g	Traditional beer flavor without the heavy calories.	Beer drinkers not concerned with gluten-free.

What to Look For When Choosing a Premixed Drink

To ensure you're truly getting a low-calorie option, keep these tips in mind:

1. Check the label: Don't just rely on marketing claims. Read the nutrition facts to see the exact calorie and sugar count.
2. Look for real ingredients: Choose brands that use real fruit juice, botanicals, and natural flavorings over artificial additives and high-fructose corn syrup.
3. Mind the alcohol content: While a lower ABV often means fewer calories, this isn't always the case. Some stronger, high-sugar mixers can still be calorie-dense.
4. Consider the source: Premixed cocktails made with a clear spirit base (like vodka or tequila) mixed with plain soda water and a twist of real citrus will be inherently lower in calories than cream-based or heavily sweetened options.

How to Create Your Own Low-Calorie Cocktails at Home

If you prefer to make your own light cocktails, it's a simple process. The key is controlling the ingredients and avoiding sugary mixers. A classic vodka soda is the easiest example, combining vodka, calorie-free soda water, and a lime wedge. Other simple combinations include tequila with lime juice and soda water (a homemade ranch water) or a wine spritzer with crisp white wine and sparkling water. You can also experiment with flavor-infused vodkas or add fresh herbs and fruits for complexity without calories.

Conclusion

For those seeking low-calorie premixed alcoholic drinks, the market offers a diverse and growing range of options. Hard seltzers remain a top choice for their simplicity and low sugar content, while canned vodka and tequila sodas offer a more tailored cocktail experience with clean ingredients. By carefully reading labels and choosing products with real fruit and natural flavors, you can enjoy a convenient, delicious, and guilt-free beverage. The expansion of these products demonstrates that consumers don't have to sacrifice flavor for health-consciousness. For more information on healthier drinking habits, resources like the National Institutes of Health provide valuable insights into alcohol consumption and its effects on the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are all hard seltzers low in calories? While most hard seltzers are marketed as low-calorie, they can vary by brand and flavor. The majority contain around 90-100 calories per 12-ounce can, but it's always best to check the nutritional information on the specific product.

2. Is a canned vodka soda healthier than a cocktail mixed at a bar? A canned vodka soda made with simple ingredients is often a healthier choice than a cocktail from a bar, where syrups, juices, and other high-sugar mixers are commonly used. Canned versions offer precise calorie counts, making it easier to track your intake.

3. What is the lowest-calorie spirit? In their pure form, spirits like vodka, gin, and tequila are among the lowest-calorie options, with a standard 1.5-ounce shot containing around 100 calories. When mixed with calorie-free soda water, they form the basis for many low-calorie drinks.

4. Are premixed canned cocktails with real juice still low in calories? Yes, many brands use real fruit juice in moderation to add flavor without significantly increasing calories. However, you should still check the label, as some canned cocktails can contain more sugar than hard seltzers.

5. Do low-calorie drinks use artificial sweeteners? Some low-calorie drinks may use artificial sweeteners to keep the calorie count down, while others rely on natural ingredients and minimal added sugar. The ingredient list on the label will provide this information, so you can choose based on your preference.

6. What is a wine spritzer, and is it low-calorie? A wine spritzer is a simple mix of wine and sparkling or soda water. Because it dilutes the wine with a calorie-free mixer, it significantly reduces the calorie count compared to a standard glass of wine, making it a popular low-calorie option.

7. How can I find the best low-calorie canned drinks? To find the best options, start by looking for established hard seltzer brands or premixed spirit-and-soda cans. Read reviews to find brands with clean, natural flavors and always check the nutritional label for the most accurate calorie and sugar information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the calorie count for an average hard seltzer?

An average 12-ounce can of hard seltzer contains approximately 90 to 100 calories, along with very low carbohydrate and sugar content.

Are premixed cocktails always high in calories?

No, not all premixed cocktails are high in calories. Many brands have introduced low-calorie versions that use clear spirits and soda water instead of high-sugar mixers.

Can I trust the 'skinny' or 'light' labels on canned drinks?

While these labels indicate lower calories, it is crucial to read the nutritional information. Some drinks labeled as 'skinny' may still use artificial sweeteners or have a higher sugar content than other options.

What type of premixed cocktail is best for a low-carb diet?

Hard seltzers and canned spirit-and-soda drinks are generally the best options for a low-carb diet, as they often contain 2 grams or less of carbohydrates per serving.

Are there any tequila-based low-calorie canned cocktails?

Yes, several brands offer canned tequila sodas and cocktails. For example, Mamitas Tequila & Sodas provides a low-calorie, low-sugar tequila seltzer option.

Is a premixed vodka soda better than a hard seltzer?

The 'best' option depends on your preference. Canned vodka sodas use a neutral spirit base, while hard seltzers use a fermented cane sugar base. Both are typically low in calories and sugar, with hard seltzers sometimes having a slightly lower calorie count.

Are premixed wine spritzers good for calorie-conscious drinkers?

Yes, premixed wine spritzers are a good option. By combining wine with calorie-free sparkling water, they offer a lighter alternative to a full glass of wine.