Updated November 26, 2014.

Calories can add up fast when you’re tossing back cocktails. Luckily, it's easy to slim down those margaritas, martinis, and more...

DIY COCKTAIL TOOLS

Blender: If you love frozen beverages, this kitchen essential is a no-brainer. Use it to whip up low-calorie daiquiris, piña coladas... even frozen mojitos and sangria slushies!

Shaker and strainer: Nobody wants a sip of straight alcohol followed by a mouthful of mixer...

You need to shake things up! A strainer will allow you to chill your drink at the same time; just pop some ice cubes into the shaker. 

Measuring cup with ounce markings: No calorie-conscious cocktail is complete (say that three times fast!) without the proper measuring tools. You don't need a fancy jigger for measuring shots -- each shot is equal to 1 1/2 ounces.

Colorful glasses and straws: Okay, cute straws are optional, but they’ll make slurpable cocktails more fun!

7 Must-Have Kitchen Tools for Healthier Eating

 

LOW-CALORIE COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS  

Liquor: Stick with clear liquors, for the most part. Vodka, rum, and tequila each have about 100 calories per shot (1 1/2 oz.). Even the fruity flavors generally have the same calorie count! Just watch out for the super-sweet dessert-y types.

Mixers: Go with no- or low-calorie bases, like club soda, diet soda, and light juice drinks. If you're out and about and light juices aren't available, go with just a splash of regular juice. For creamy drinks at home, use low-calorie milk alternatives like unsweetened vanilla almond milk or light vanilla soymilk.

These are more flavorful than regular milk, and they have fewer calories than even fat-free milk. 

HG Warning! Tonic water sounds like it would be calorie-free, but it actually has as many calories and grams of sugar as regular soda! Stick with club soda or diet tonic. 

Add-ins: Sugar-free powdered mixes and flavor drops are easy ways to add a ton of flavor without adding many calories. You can even bring these with you the next time you go out for cocktails... I won't tell!

Ice: This might seem obvious, but ice is key, whether you're blending, pouring over the rocks, or just shaking before straining to make your drink cold. I like crushed ice best...

Pantry Staples for Healthy Eating

 

SMART COCKTAIL ORDERS 

Blueberry Smash: OK, bartenders won't know it by name, but here's what to ask for: Pair a shot of blueberry-flavored vodka with club soda and a splash of pineapple juice. It’s delicious and has only around 120 calories.

Spiked Arnold Palmer: Bring sugar-free powdered lemonade with you to the bar, and order an unsweetened ice tea with a shot of vodka. Add some of that lemonade mix to the drink, and you’ve got a delicious drink for around 110 calories.

Happy Hour and Cocktail Survival Guide

 

EASY LOW-CALORIE COCKTAIL RECIPES 

Magical Low-Calorie Margarita: In a shaker, combine 6 oz. diet lemon-lime soda, 1 1/2 oz. tequila, 1 oz. lime juice, and a two-serving packet of sugar-free lemonade powdered drink mix. Stir until drink mix dissolves. Pour over ice. (115 calories)

Slammin' Slimmed-Down Strawberry Daiquiri: Dissolve a two-serving packet of sugar-free strawberry powdered drink mix into 4 oz. cold water. Transfer to a blender with 1 1/2 oz. white rum, 1/2 oz. lime juice, 3 frozen unsweetened strawberries (partially thawed), and a cup of ice. Blend until smooth. (120 calories)

Kickin' Cranberry Cosmo: In a shaker filled with ice, combine 5 oz. diet cranberry juice drink, 1 1/2 oz. vodka, and a teaspoon of lime juice. Shake and then strain into a martini glass. (100 calories)

More of Hungry Girl's Best Low-Calorie Cocktail Recipes

 

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