How to save yourself 230 calories… just by swapping your cocktail!

Heading out for a night of luxurious cocktails is a great weekend treat.

But what about those weeks when you’re trying to cut back on the calories?

Some of the best-loved tipples are hugely calorific, with a single Long Island iced tea containing up to 780kcal — more than a Bic Mac and fries.

However, there are ways of enjoying an alcoholic drink even when you’re watching your waistline, by simply swapping your cocktail for a ‘skinnier’ alternative.

From coconut mojitos to espresso martinis, here is MailOnline’s guide to lower-calorie cocktails swaps.

Swap a Pina Colada (490kcal) for a Coconut Mojito (180kcal)

The Pina Colada is a rich, creamy cocktail that can have a high calorie count as rich coconut cream and high in sugar pineapple juice are its key ingredients.

But Laura Stagg, head of marketing at DrinkStuff, has a solution.

She suggests going for the lighter alternative of a Coconut Mojito, which she says still offers a ‘tropical vibe’. 

It is made with coconut water, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and white rum, and Ms Stagg calls this cocktail a ‘refreshing and low-calorie option’.

Swap a Long Island iced tea (780kcal) for a Tom Collins (120kcal)

Long Island iced tea is a seriously potent cocktail — containing vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, sour mix, and cola.

But it’s also majorly calorie-dense, says Ms Stagg, with a whopping 780kcal.

This is because triple sec contains around 10g of sugar per measure, while a can of coca cola has 10.6g.

She suggests you opt for a Tom Collins instead — a classic drink made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water. 

‘It has a similar citrusy flavour profile but with significantly fewer calories,’ she adds.

Swap White Russian (425kcal) for an Espresso Martini (230kcal)

Creamy White Russian’s are ideal when you’re looking for a little luxury.

But their high calorie count, due to the combination of vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream, means you may not want to drink them all the time.

For a lighter coffee-based cocktail, Ms Stagg recommends you try an Espresso Martini instead. 

Made with vodka, coffee liqueur and a shot of espresso — this sophisticated option comes in at almost 200 calories less than the White Russian, but with similar flavours.

Swap a Pornstar Martini (290kcal) for a Dirty Martini (114 calories) 

If you’re a fan of martinis, you should avoid any with added syrups and flavouring. 

Aoife Taylor, lead mixologist at Rockwater in Hove, has the perfect suggestion for days when the 290 calories in a Pornstar Martini is a bit too much.

She recommends a Dirty Martini — a version of the James Bond cocktail that also comes classic, dry or sweet. 

It gets its name as it contains olive brine, as well as dry gin and vermouth.

Ms Taylor says keeping your martinis simple is the best way to reduce the calorie count.

Long Island iced tea is a seriously potent cocktail – containing vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, sour mix, and cola. But it’s also majorly calorie-dense, says Ms Stagg, with a whopping 780kcal. She suggests you opt for a Tom Collins instead – a classic drink made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.

Swap a Paloma (194kcal) for a tequila and grapefruit soda (117kcal) 

Staying on the tequila train, Ms Taylor has a low-calorie alternative for the delicious Paloma — tequila, grapefruit, Cointreau, soda and sugar. 

She suggests you instead have a tequila and grapefruit soda. ‘[Netherlands-based drinks company] Double Dutch do a great one’, she says. 

While a Paloma comes in at 194 calories, a tequila and grapefruit soda has around 70 less, with 117kcal.

Swap a Sangria (160kcal) to Pimms and diet lemonade (120kcal)

It’s a dream to drink this classic Spanish cocktail alongside some tapas.

But while Sangria is packed with fruit and may appear to be on the healthier side, there are lower calorie alternatives.

And Tom Bell, a drinks expert at DrinkWell, has picked the British favourite Pimm’s and diet lemonade.

Known for its unfaltering position as Wimbledon’s drink of choice, Mr Bell this is the perfect Sangria alternative — coming in at 40 calories less.

You even switch the lemonade for tonic if you prefer a more bitter taste and even fewer calories. 

Swap a Strawberry Daiquiri (400kcal) for a Margarita (170kcal) 

Nothing screams ‘summer holiday’ like a fruity cocktail on the beach. 

But sadly, one of the most popular choices, a strawberry daiquiri, which contains rum, strawberries, lime juice and sugar syrup, comes with a huge calorie count. 

Some contain more than 400 calories per drink, says Mr Bell.

He suggest you opt for the much lighter tequila option — a margarita, made with tequila, triple sec and lime juice, which on average has around 170 calories per drink.