Summer is officially here, and we are looking forward to numerous backyard barbecues, lounging by the pool, and fun beach days with a refreshing drink in hand. Unfortunately, many typical summer beverages (i.e., strawberry daiquiris and piña coladas) tend to be high in sugar and calories. But they don’t have to be. Here are some of our favorite low-calorie beverages that you can enjoy this summer guilt-free!
Raspberry Lime Mojito
Freshen up your palate with this easy-to-make, low-cal refresher. Choose fresh or frozen raspberries – both will taste delicious; just make sure to muddle your raspberries with the fresh lime juice for an additional burst of flavor. Here is a great recipe courtesy of Popsugar.
Ingredients:
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- Handful of fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 tsp superfine sugar
- 3 mint leaves (more for garnish)
- 2 oz white rum
- Spindrift Raspberry Lime
Instructions:
- Muddle the raspberries with fresh lime juice and sugar in your glass.
- Add mint leaves; mush them into the glass to release the minty goodness, then add crushed ice and rum.
- Top off with Spindrift Raspberry Lime.
- Garnish with whole raspberries, a sprig of mint, and a lime wheel.
Tequila Sunrise
Start the day off with a brunch buffet and a tequila sunrise, which is made with just three handy ingredients. Follow this recipe from Esquire for the perfect combination.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz tequila
- 3 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tsp grenadine
Instructions:
- Shake tequila and orange juice well with cracked ice; strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Add grenadine and stir gently, for no longer than is necessary to produce layers of oranges and reds.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Mocktail Blackberry Spritzer
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic summer beverage, check out this blackberry spritzer recipe from Woman’s Day. Don’t be surprised when it becomes a summer staple you bring with you to every cookout.
Ingredients:
- 2 blackberries
- 1½ oz orange juice
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz Pinewood Social’s Saigon Cinnamon Syrup
- Soda water
Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries with a wooden spoon.
- Add orange juice, lemon juice, and cinnamon syrup; shake well.
- Strain into Collins glass; top with soda water.
Elderflower-Grapefruit Paloma
Take a deep dive into seasonal ingredients with this refreshing cocktail, courtesy of Popsugar.
Ingredients:
- Ice
- 1½ oz silver tequila, like Herradura Silver
- ¼ oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
- 1½ oz grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
- Juice of ½ lime
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
- 2 oz soda
- ½ oz agave syrup
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add all ingredients, except for soda.
- Close and shake well.
- Add soda; strain into Collins glass.
- Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
Vodka Lemonade
The two ingredients that comprise this recipe are simple: vodka and lemonade. Sure, you could mix cheap vodka with lemonade and move on, but if you’re looking to make something extra delicious, we suggest the below recipe from Esquire, which is great to serve in a large pitcher for summer events.
Ingredients:
- 24 oz Simply Lemonade
- 1 cup vodka
- 4 oz simple syrup
- Club soda
- 4 sprigs fresh peppermint
- 1 lemon, cut into rounds
Instructions:
- In a pitcher with ice, mix lemonade with vodka and simple syrup.
- Fill a highball glass to the top with ice.
- Add vodka lemonade until the glass is three-quarters full.
- Top off with club soda; stir to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon round and sprig of mint.
White Iced Tea
What’s a list of summer beverages without an iced tea option? Instead of sticking with a traditional recipe, add a little something extra and with this one from Woman’s Day. It doesn’t require much more effort: Just use white tea bags instead of traditional tea. You can also add spices like rosemary, lavender, or mint.
Ingredients:
- 4 white tea bags (try Choice Organic White Tea)
- 4 cups water
- ½ cup sugar
- Fresh tarragon sprigs, to taste
Instructions:
- Steep tea bags in 4 cups of boiling water, then chill.
- Bring 1 cup water and ½ cup sugar to a boil; add tarragon, and steep until cool.
- Sweeten to taste with the resulting tarragon syrup, which will add a licorice note to the tea.
Tried any of the above recipes? Share your experience with us in the comments below!