The 6 Best Low-Cal Cocktails for Your Next Paint Party

Have you been counting calories since January 1? Whether you’re breaking up with sweets after the indulgent holiday season or you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight, calories might seem like the enemy and your Chardonnay might be the first thing to go. But don’t cancel your next paint-and-sip party on account of vodka soda calories just yet! Drinking and dieting don’t have to be mutually exclusive. With these simple low-calorie cocktails and mixed drinks, you can have your painting and drinks—and keep your resolutions, too!

1. Skinny Margarita

Nothing beats a good marg! This one is no exception…

• Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 oz Blanco tequila
• 3-4 oz lemon-lime sparkling water
• Juice from 1/4 of orange
• Juice from 1/2 of lime
• Salt for rim of glass (optional)

Instructions:

Combine the first four ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Pour into a glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

(And a little something extra just for you: a Skinny Triple Sec substitute that has only about 19 calories/ounce—a fraction of the 100 calories/ounce found in most triple secs out there!)

Calories: 119 Sugar: 1.7 g (approx. per serving)

2. Kickin’ Cranberry Cosmo

Feel like you’re in an episode of Sex and the City—and feel good about your diet.

• Ingredients:
• 5 oz. diet cranberry juice drink
• 1½ oz. vodka
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• Optional garnish: lime slice

Instructions:

In a shaker filled with ice, combine juice drink, vodka, and lime juice. Shake well. Strain into a large martini glass. Drink and give off serious Carrie Bradshaw vibes.

Calories: 100 Sugar: 1g (approx. per serving)

3. Whiskey Sour

Are you a whiskey person? You’ll love this sugar-free take on the classic.

• Ingredients:
• 1.5 oz whiskey
• 1.5 oz lemon juice
• 1.5 oz water
• 1 packet Stevia
• 1 wedge lemon, for garnish

Instructions

Put the ingredients in a cocktail shaker half-full of ice. Shake well. Strain into a glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Start sipping!

Calories: 112 Sugar: 0g (approx. per serving)

4. Cucumber Cooler Cocktail

This cooler will add a little more flair to a night of paint and cocktails than your typical Gin & Tonic!

• Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 oz gin (1 1/2 oz equals 3 Tbsp)
• 4-6 slices cucumber
• 1/4 medium lime (sliced)
• 4 oz tonic water
• 6 mint leaves
• 1 Tbsp sugar (optional)

Instructions:

Add mint, lime, gin, and sugar (optional) to shaker and muddle. Add cucumber slices to the shaker and shake well. Pour mixture in a glass over ice and top with tonic or sparkling water. Stir and let sit for a few minutes to enhance the flavor—then drink up!

Calories: 162 Sugar: 11.2g or less (approx. per serving)

5. Classic Mojito

You can be painting palm trees and sandy beaches with this mojito in hand at Painting with a Twist! Doesn’t that sound dreamy?

• Ingredients:
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ lime
• 5 sprigs mint
• 1.5 oz light rum
• Soda water
• Ice

Instructions:

Put sugar, mint, juice from ½ lime plus the rind in a glass. Muddle together. Add rum and a handful of ice. Fill with chilled soda water and lightly stir. Now it’s ready to drink—no beach necessary.

Calories: 122 Sugar: 4.7g (approx. per serving)

6. Peach Basil Bellini

Do you prefer sparkling wine over liquor? Then you’ll be glad to know that Prosecco is one of the lowest-calorie bubbly beverages! Just add a splash of fruit juice or puree and you’ve got a guilt-free cocktail! This Bellini is a delicious place to start.

• Ingredients:
• 2 Tbsp smooth peach puree
• Fresh basil leaves
• 6 oz chilled prosecco

Instructions:

Blend fresh peach to make the puree. Add 2 Tbsp puree and a basil leaf to a glass. Smash the basil leaf, then remove. Fill glass with prosecco. Serve with a fresh basil leaf. Enjoy!

Calories: 100 Sugar: 1.5 g (approx. per serving)

Are you ready to try your hand at being a low-calorie mixologist? Then bring your friends and your bar-tending skills to a Painting with a Twist near you for a calorie-conscious night of painting, sipping, and fun!