Why should those searching for low calorie options have to skip out on the fun of cocktails? As it turns out, a low calorie soda can help you mix up concoctions that leave you feeling refreshed rather than bloated. For this Low Calorie Honey Whiskey Cocktail, we relish in the delicate and sweet flavor of Green Bee Ginger Buzz Honey Soda. This mixer uses honey to naturally sweeten the soda and packs a slight bite from the ginger. When you combine it with Dubliner Honeycomb Irish Whiskey and a bit of lime juice, you get a complex but delicious flavor profile.

What Makes a Cocktail Low Calorie?

While low calorie goals can vary depending on your weight, diet, and lifestyle, it is often thought that low calorie means less than 200. You may think that would be impossible when ordering a drink or mixing one at home. But, with a little caution, you can relax and indulge in something enjoyable without the stress of unhealthy consequences. Low calorie cocktails can also come in handy when you’re enjoying a huge Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. This way you can save your calories for the dinner ahead rather than using them up on one glassful.

Low Calorie Honey Whiskey Cocktail

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• Author: Keith Recker
• Yield: 1 Cocktail 1x

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Description

A subtly sweet drink without the calorie guilt.

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Ingredients

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• 1/2 bottle of Green Bee Ginger Buzz Honey Soda
• 1 oz Dubliner Honeycomb Irish Whiskey
• ½ oz lime juice

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Instructions

1. Chill a rocks glass in the freezer.
2. Add one large ice cube to the class. Add the Dubliner Honeycomb Irish Whiskey and lime juice.
3. Top off the glass with Green Bee Ginger Buzz Honey Soda.
4. Serve and garnish with a lime wedge.

Nutrition

• Calories: 144

Recipe and Photography by Keith Recker

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For all the Diet Coke lovers out there, we’re putting this beloved soft drink to use for an incredible low calorie whiskey cocktail you’re sure to love. Our Cherry Bomb recipe is simple and to the point featuring Diet Coke, tart cherry juice, whiskey, and orange bitters. If you want to indulge in something that’s a little sweet, a little sour, and completely guilt free, this Cherry Bomb cocktail is choice for you. Plus, you can alter this recipe in order to cater to your guests’ needs and desires. So if someone is complaining about the flavor of a Diet Coke, just simply switch it out for regular Coke or even Pepsi instead.

What is the Difference Between Maraschino Cherries and Other Cherries?

Maraschino cherries differ from other varieties because they’re actually candied cherries preserved in a syrup. Hence, you’ll usually see these cherries used in drinks and desserts. Not to mention, the vibrant red of the juice/syrup from the maraschino cherries produces a beautiful gradient in any cocktail choice. Who knew making an aesthetically pleasing Cherry Bomb cocktail could be so easy?

Cherry Bomb (Low Calorie Whiskey Cocktail)

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• Author: Keith Recker
• Yield: 1 Cocktail 1x

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Description

Put that can of Diet Coke in your fridge to use.

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Ingredients

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• 1 can diet coke
• 1 1/2 oz whiskey
• 1 oz maraschino cherry juice
• 3–5 dashes of orange bitters
• Maraschino cherries for garnish

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Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the whiskey, maraschino cherry juice, and orange bitters.
2. Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture into a glass with ice.
4. Top off the glass with diet coke.
5. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

Nutrition

• Calories: 150

For another low calorie option, try our Gin and (Lime) Juice Low Calorie Cocktail, inspired by Snoop Dogg’s early 1990s hit song, Gin and Juice.

Recipe and Photography by Keith Recker

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Sipping a Gin and Lemon Juice cocktail might just be the best way to spend your evening after a stressful day out in the world. When you come home, exhausted, but are craving a cocktail that can be made quickly, grab this recipe out of your back pocket. The best part is this cocktail is a low calorie version of the classic. By using just fresh lime juice and gin (plus ice and a splash of soda water if you like) you’ll create a perfect meld of sour and earthy citrus. Just be careful not to have too many of these cocktails. Since the cocktail is mostly gin, it won’t take long to start moving into a relaxing mindset.

Where Did the Gin and Juice Come From?

We all know the iconic song by Snoop Dogg, Gin and Juice and surprisingly, this is exactly where the idea comes from. While people mix gin and tonics all the time, the combination of just gin and a fruit juice did not become a thing until around 1993 when the song came about. Even now, Snoop continues to promote this cocktail, even releasing a line up of canned Gin&Juice cocktails with Dr. Dre. But, if you don’t feel like hunting down these pre-made cocktails, mix up a fresh batch of our Gin and (Lime) Juice instead.

Gin and (Lime) Juice Low Calorie Cocktail

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• Author: Keith Recker
• Yield: 1 Cocktail 1x

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Description

Simple but full of flavor.

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Ingredients

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• 4 oz gin
• 2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
• Splash of soda water (if desired)
• Mint for garnish

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Instructions

1. Fill shaker with ice and add the lime juice and gin. 
2. Shake till well mixed. 
3. Strain into a glass chilled glass. 
4. Add a splash of soda water if desired. 
5. Garnish with mint leaves and serve.

Nutrition

• Calories: 163

Recipe and Photography by Keith Recker

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You’ve heard of Green Goddess salad, healthy green juice…now get ready for a green cocktail. The bar team at the luxury Fairmont Hotel shared this recipe from fl.2, their bar space known for lovely ambience, quality service, and creative drinks. The Green Beast is a refreshing, herbaceous cocktail balanced with house-made thyme syrup, crisp cucumber, and zesty lime. This unique blend offers a smooth yet vibrant flavor with a hint of botanical complexity. Low calorie and perfect for sipping and savoring!

What Makes This Cocktail Green?

While many cocktails use Midori for its green color, this one uses Genepy, a liqueur that might not be on your radar. Genepy, called “the quintessential Alpine drink,” is from France and is best served chilled. It comes from a variety of artemisia (often translated into English as “mountain sage”) found principally in the mountains of central Europe. It’s beloved in French ski resorts, particularly as a digestivo after a big pot of fondue. Here it helps give this cocktail its refreshing quality and its distinctive color.

The Green Beast

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• Author: Mustafa Kurtcu

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Description

A low-calorie cocktail recipe that will refresh you without the bloating.

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Ingredients

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• 1 oz Hendricks
• 1 oz Cointreau
• ½ oz Genepy
• ½ oz Thyme Syrup
• ¾ Cucumber Juice
• ½ oz Lime Juice
• Tonic to top off
• Absinthe for spray
• Cucumber fan for garnish

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Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, crush the cucumber slices to release their juice.
2. Fill the shaker with ice, then pour in the lime juice, thyme syrup, Cointreau, Genepy, and gin. Put the lid on your shaker and shake until the cocktail is thoroughly chilled, about 20 seconds.
3. Optional: Spray glass with absinthe before pouring.
4. Strain into tall glass and garnish with lime or cucumber fan. 

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Fairmont

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This low calorie giardiniera cocktail is a bright, lightly sweet and salty martini from the team at Ritual House, a fun and delicious restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh. All you need is a jar of pickled veggies, vodka, and ice to make this easy, fun recipe.

What is Giardiniera and Why Would You Put it in a Cocktail?

Giardiniera is an Italian condiment made of pickled vegetables, which often is served as a relish or garnish. While your typical martini has olives, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t experiment with other briny vegetables. Plus, a martini is a great low-cal cocktail option. So, the giardiniera cocktail was born as a spin on the martini. The juice used in it is the “brine” from the bottom of the giardiniera jar, just as you would use olive brine in a martini. For a more classic martini, try our Stanley Tucci-inspired martini.

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Recipe and photo courtesy of Cam Dickson at Ritual House

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