Are cocktails a dieter’s friend in disguise or a worst enemy? Can I drink while on a weight loss diet? Do cocktails help with weight loss, or will I have to give them up? If you are trying to lose weight, these questions may have crossed your mind. To clarify, cocktails can be high in calories; however, with some adjustments and smart choices, you can still enjoy your favorite cocktails without sacrificing your progress. Here’s how!
It is very possible to savour your favorite cocktails and still lose weight. Yes, but doing this actually requires moderation and careful choices.
Alcohol contains empty calories, which means calories with minimal nutritional value. This means that alcoholic drinks offer more calories and few nutrients. The calorie value differs from cocktail to cocktail based on the base spirit and other ingredients used. For example, an espresso martini can contain about 300 calories while a glass of wine (5 oz) might contain 120 calories.
The human body always prioritizes burning alcohol for energy, which pauses the burning of fat temporarily. Hence, when you consume alcohol, the time that the body spends on burning fat is reduced. This means that excessive drinking can lead to weight gain or slow down your weight loss, as per Medline Plus (an official website by the US government).
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This means excessive drinking can slow weight loss or lead to weight gain. However, by limiting intake, choosing lower-calorie drinks, and maintaining an overall calorie deficit, one can enjoy cocktails without sabotaging weight loss goals.
Moreover, alcohol can stimulate appetite and cravings. This might lead to higher calorie intake, which generally comes through snacking on unhealthy food choices while drinking. Another effect of excessive alcohol drinking is that it slows down your metabolism and liver functioning, which again leads to increased fat storage and hence slows down your weight loss journey.
Also Read: Beat the Heat: Summer Cocktails Without the Hangover
According to the National Health Service in the UK, when you are trying to lose weight while drinking cocktails, moderation is very essential. It is recommended that women limit their intake to one drink per day and men should limit it to two per day. You can also follow some alcohol-free days every week to help you control your calorie intake and help your weight loss mission.
Another important factor is drinking water and keeping oneself hydrated. You can replace alcoholic drinks with water, which will keep your body hydrated, which is very important as alcohol actually dehydrates your body. Staying hydrated helps in reducing cravings, which in turn helps in weight loss.
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While drinking cocktails, make sure that you opt for lower-calorie options. Go for clear spirits like gin, vodka, tequila, or whisky, which are mixed with soda water, as they contain about 100 calories per serving, which is less than other sugary cocktails. While choosing mixers, make sure you avoid the ones that have high sugar content, such as syrups or juices, to keep the calorie count as low as possible.
These days, you also get low-ABV cocktails which have very less calories compared to their original versions. Low-ABV (low-alcohol by volume) cocktails are gaining immense popularity in bars worldwide. This trend has emerged as part of a broader movement toward mindful drinking and changing social habits.
Some low calorie cocktails you can opt for are:
Also Read: Low-ABV Cocktails: How Mindful Drinking and 'Low-Alcohol Cocktails' Are Redefining Bars in 2025
Your weight loss journey can be an easy one only when you get mindful of your eating and drinking habits. So make sure you moderate your cocktail consumption or opt for less calorie options, and you are good to go!
