What to Mix Vodka With Low Calories? Your Guide to Guilt-Free Cocktails

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

While standard 80-proof vodka contains approximately 96 calories per 1.5-ounce serving, the sugary mixers used in many traditional cocktails are often the primary source of excess calories. If you're wondering what to mix vodka with low calories, opting for zero-sugar or naturally low-calorie mixers is the key to creating delicious, diet-friendly drinks.

Quick Summary

This guide explores a variety of low-calorie mixers for vodka, from zero-sugar sodas and seltzers to fresh fruit and herbal infusions. Learn simple recipes and clever tips for crafting flavorful, guilt-free cocktails without compromising on taste, and find the perfect light drink to fit your wellness goals.

Key Points

Start with Zero-Calorie Mixers: Use club soda, seltzer, or diet sodas to add volume and fizz without adding any calories or sugar.
Enhance Flavor Naturally: Fresh citrus juice (lime, lemon), muddled herbs (mint, basil), and spices are calorie-free ways to boost taste.
Infuse Your Own Vodka: Create naturally flavored spirits by infusing vodka with fruits, vegetables, or spices at home, eliminating the need for high-sugar syrups.
Control Your Portions: When using juices, opt for unsweetened versions and use them sparingly—a small splash is often enough for flavor.
Garnish Creatively: A simple garnish like a lime wedge, cucumber slice, or sprig of rosemary can significantly enhance the drinking experience without adding calories.

Your Essential Guide to Low-Calorie Vodka Mixers

For those watching their caloric intake, a cocktail can quickly become a dietary pitfall due to high-sugar juices, sodas, and syrups. Fortunately, vodka’s neutral flavor makes it exceptionally versatile, pairing well with a range of low-calorie and zero-calorie mixers. The right combination can lead to refreshing, flavorful drinks that won't sabotage your health goals. This article will explore the best options, from simple two-ingredient combinations to more creative, sophisticated recipes.

The Zero-Calorie Champions

These mixers are the gold standard for anyone seeking to minimize calories and sugar without sacrificing volume and fizz. They add no calories to your drink, allowing you to enjoy a full cocktail that tastes great and feels light.

Club Soda or Seltzer Water: The classic vodka soda is a staple for a reason. Combining vodka with unflavored carbonated water creates a clean, crisp, and completely sugar-free beverage. Add a fresh lime or lemon wedge for a touch of natural citrus flavor. For extra zest, experiment with flavored seltzer waters from brands like La Croix or Bubly.
Diet Sodas: Swapping out regular soda for its diet counterpart can save you hundreds of calories per drink. Popular options include Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and Diet Ginger Ale.
Sugar-Free Mixes: Many drink enhancers, like Mio or Crystal Light, come in liquid or powdered forms and offer a variety of flavors for just a few calories per serving. These can be an excellent way to add fruity notes to your vodka and soda.

Natural and Low-Sugar Enhancements

For those who prefer a more natural flavor profile, fresh ingredients are your best friend. They infuse your drink with genuine taste and aroma without the heavy sugar load of pre-made mixes.

Fresh Citrus Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon, lime, or grapefruit juice adds a bright, tangy kick. A Skinny Vodka Lemonade can be made with fresh lemon juice, vodka, and soda water.
Unsweetened Juices (in moderation): While a glass of cranberry or orange juice is high in sugar, a small splash of unsweetened juice can provide flavor and color without a huge caloric penalty. Combine a small amount of unsweetened cranberry juice with vodka and top with soda water for a lighter version of a vodka cranberry.
Herbs and Spices: Fresh herbs like mint, basil, and rosemary add complex aromas and tastes. Muddling a few leaves at the bottom of your glass or using an herb sprig as a garnish transforms a simple drink. Spices like a dash of cinnamon or a slice of ginger can also add warmth.

Infused Vodkas for Built-in Flavor

Infusing your own vodka with fruits, herbs, and spices is a simple process that adds natural flavor without extra calories. You can create unique, sophisticated cocktails with just two ingredients.

Cucumber Mint: Add sliced cucumber and mint leaves to a jar of vodka and let it infuse for a few days. The result is a spa-like, refreshing spirit perfect for a simple vodka soda.
Berry: Infuse vodka with fresh raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries for a fruity flavor. This is excellent paired with sparkling water.
Spicy: For a kick, try infusing vodka with jalapeños or serrano peppers. Use a small amount in a cocktail with fresh lime juice.

Comparison Table: Standard vs. Low-Calorie Mixers


Mixer Type	Typical Serving Size	Approx. Calories	Low-Calorie Alternative	Approx. Calories	Calorie Savings
Tonic Water	6 oz	50-90	Diet Tonic Water	0	50-90
Cranberry Juice	4 oz	60	Light Cranberry Juice / Unsweetened Cranberry Juice + Seltzer	10-20	40-50
Cola	4 oz	50	Diet Cola / Cola Zero	0	50
Orange Juice	4 oz	55	Fresh Squeeze of Orange + Seltzer	~10	45
Ginger Beer	4 oz	60	Diet Ginger Beer / Light Ginger Ale	0-30	30-60

Easy Low-Calorie Vodka Cocktail Recipes

The Skinny Mule

1.5 oz vodka
4 oz diet ginger beer or diet ginger ale
Juice of half a lime
Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions: Combine vodka and lime juice in a copper mug over ice. Top with diet ginger beer and stir gently. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

The Vodka Cooler

1.5 oz citrus-flavored vodka (or plain vodka with a lemon squeeze)
4 oz soda water
Muddled fresh berries (e.g., raspberries, blueberries)
Lemon slice for garnish

Instructions: Muddle the berries in the bottom of a glass. Add ice, vodka, and soda water. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon slice.

The Cucumber Mint Spritz

1.5 oz cucumber-infused vodka (see above)
4 oz sparkling water
Fresh mint sprig and cucumber slice for garnish

Instructions: Fill a glass with ice. Add the infused vodka and sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with mint and cucumber.

Conclusion

Enjoying a vodka cocktail doesn't have to mean compromising your health goals. By simply swapping high-calorie mixers for zero-sugar or fresh, low-calorie alternatives, you can create a wide array of delicious and guilt-free drinks. From the simplicity of a vodka soda with a citrus twist to the more complex flavors of infused vodka and herbal garnishes, the options are plentiful. The key is to be mindful of your ingredients and get creative with natural flavor enhancements. Whether you're at home or out at a bar, making smarter choices about what you mix vodka with low calories ensures you can indulge responsibly and stay on track with your wellness journey. For more on mindful drinking, check out this guide from EatingWell.

Frequently Asked Questions

The lowest calorie mixers for vodka are calorie-free options like club soda, seltzer water, or diet soda, as they add zero calories to the finished drink.

Most commercially flavored vodkas contain very few extra calories, if any, compared to unflavored vodka. However, flavored vodka cocktails made with syrups contain significantly more calories.

Yes, products like Crystal Light or Mio flavor enhancers offer a convenient way to add a sweet, fruity flavor to vodka and soda water for a low-calorie cocktail.

A 'skinny bitch' is a simple cocktail made with vodka, club soda, and a squeeze of lime or lemon. It's low-calorie because club soda is calorie-free.

If you dislike the taste of diet sodas, you can use naturally flavored sparkling water, fresh fruit infusions, or a small amount of unsweetened juice with seltzer to add flavor.

To make a skinny Moscow Mule, swap traditional, high-sugar ginger beer for a diet or light ginger beer. Use vodka, fresh lime juice, and top with the diet ginger beer.

You can drink alcohol in moderation while on a weight loss plan, especially if you choose lower-calorie options like vodka mixed with zero-sugar mixers. However, excessive drinking can delay weight loss goals due to overall calorie intake and its effects on the body.