7 Flavorful, Low-Calorie Seltzer Cocktails You Can Mix At Home

Honey Paloma Cocktail
The Little Epicurean

Cocktails are the nighttime version of coffee: A delicious drink that makes you happy. But unlike coffee, which is relatively inexpensive and low in calories, cocktails cost big bucks and are often the caloric equivalent of dessert.

There's a solution to these problems, though, and it's called seltzer. Sure, watering down your booze might have seemed lame when you were 22. But now, it's just plain smart. The less alcohol you have to pour in the drink, the more cocktails you'll squeeze out of that bottle of vodka or tequila. And the less you'll have to worry about feeling bloated—or worse, totally bombed—the next day.

The only problem? Cutting your drink with seltzer can risk cutting all the taste. The solution, then, is to use seltzer in the right ratio (usually, no more than a 1:1 amount of seltzer to alcohol). And to rely on super flavorful ingredients, like fresh fruit, so your drink stays delicious. (Want to pick up some healthier habits? Sign up to get slimming recipes delivered straight to your inbox!)

These 7 drinks show you exactly how it's done.

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Lemon Blueberry Vodka Spritzer
Honey and Birch

The blueberry and rosemary garnishes make it look like the work of a trendy mixologist, but Honey and Birch's refreshing sipper is crazy easy to make. It's just honey simple syrup, blueberry vodka, and lemon seltzer. Who says cocktails have to be complicated?

Cherry Sorbet and Rosé Wine Spritzers
Yes to Yolks

What's better than a simple glass of rosé? Rosé with a scoop of sweet cherry sorbet and plenty of fizzy seltzer, says Yes to Yolks. She makes her own cherry sorbet with fresh cherries—but when they're out of season (like, right now) you can always use frozen. Or, just buy a clean store-bought cherry sorbet. It'll obviously still taste great. (Here are more recipes that take your love of rosé to the next level.)

Skinny Tequila Squeeze
Little Bits of

Little Bits Of mixes tequila and pineapple juice with coconut water (genius, right?), and tops it all off with plenty of bubbles. The result? A fruity, tropical-inspired drink that tastes like you're at a swanky resort in the Caribbean—without the ridiculous price tag or calorie count.

MORE: 6 Sneaky Signs You Drink Too Much

Cucumber Vodka Soda
How Sweet Eats

Cocktail recipes for a crowd tend to be heavy on the booze, but not this one from How Sweet Eats. It's mostly fresh cucumber juice, fresh lime juice, and seltzer, plus a splash of vodka and simple syrup to keep things interesting. In other words, a chill drink for a chill gathering.


Cranberry Vanilla Gin Spritzer
Foxes Love Lemons

A lot of spritzers tend to skew light and summery, but this drink, from Foxes Love Lemons, is exactly what you want for fall and winter: It's all warm flavors like orange, vanilla, and cranberry. Plus, it's customizable. Add a splash of seltzer for a smaller, stiffer drink; or go halfsies with the gin for something lighter. (Looking for more options? Here are 6 drinks even nutritionists feel good about ordering.)

Honey Paloma
The Little Epicurean

What do you get when you combine equal parts seltzer, tequila, and grapefruit juice, plus a splash of honey syrup and lime? A deliciously tart, fizzy sipper that tastes a lot like a margarita, says The Little Epicurean. The only difference is that at the end, you're pleasantly buzzed instead of blasted. (Just in case you imbibe more than you should, here are 7 ways to prevent that nasty hangover.)

Apple and Pear White Sangria
Love Grows Wild

Most sangrias have some kind of fizzy component, which cuts back on the alcohol. What makes this one from Love Grows Wild different? It uses simple seltzer water instead of sugary lemon-lime soda. That cuts the calories way down—plus, you can actually taste the flavor of the fresh fruit. (Love sangria? Here are 7 more healthy ways to make it.)

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