Share this Post
Summer sipping—but make it skinny.
When Kate Moss said “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” she didn’t factor in a well-made cocktail. Turns out, you can have both.
The real trick isn’t drinking less (spoiler)—it’s drinking smarter. Enter skinny spirits: cocktails built to deliver the buzz without the bloat. And, no, we don’t mean your basic vodka/soda.
Let’s be real. When summer socializing ramps up, so does the running tab—on calories, sugar and next-day regret. But those ’tails that tantalize the lips and look good on the ’Gram don’t have to come with a heavy tradeoff. There’s a full roster of low-cal pours that pack a punch—with a dose of hydration and without the gut check. And they don’t sacrifice taste to deliver the hit.
Lighter drinking doesn’t have to mean skipping the fun—or settling for sad, watered-down pours. We’re talking clean + clear bases (vodka, tequila, gin), fresh ingredients and a hard pivot away from syrup-heavy mixers. The result? Sips that clock closer to 100–150 cals—without tasting like a compromise.
It’s not about drinking less—it’s about drinking cleaner. Think ranch waters and seltzers that hit crisp and mineral; mojitos that swap simple syrup for muddled fruit and mint—even sparkling margs are getting in on the action, serving fresh citrus, a splash of soda for a lighter bubbly twist, and just enough tequila to keep things interesting. Around Raleigh, that shift is showing up on menus—from citrus-forward builds at Rosebud Cocktail Lounge to clean, agave-heavy pours at William & Company.
“Across the board at Peregrine, Capulet and Rosebud, guests are loving these clean, sessionable cocktails wrapped in effervescence from prosecco, Champagne or soda water,” says co-owner Patrick Shanahan, “with floral or citrus expressions to brighten them up, making them light on the palate and
seasonably refreshing.”
And lest we forget spritz summer, serving effervescent sips that lean bright instead of saccharine. Case in point: the spritz-forward, Italian-leaning menu at Capulet Cocktail Club—where lighter, citrus-driven builds are part of the whole vibe, not a workaround.
The play—whether home or bellied up to the bar: skipping premade mixes, leaning into citrus and herbs, and letting the bubbles do the buzzy lifting. That, and pacing like a pro: A water between rounds (hydrate or die-drate) and a lighter first pour means a night that ends feeling as good as it started—and a morning without the hangxiety.
Call it balance, call it strategy. Def call it the skinny on summer sipping.
Skinny Sips (≤120 cals)
- Ranch water: Tequila, lime, Topo Chico
- Skinny strawberry mojito: Rum, strawberry, mint, lime, soda water
- Poolside paloma: Tequila, grapefruit, seltzer
- Cherry frosé: Rosé, frozen cherries, lemon juice
- Green tea fizz: Gin, green tea, pomegranate, lemon juice
- Aperol spritz: Prosecco, Aperol, soda water
Pour Decisions (That Actually Matter)
- Ditch the mix: Premade = sugar bombs
- Go clear: Vodka, tequila, gin
- Let citrus lead: Packs taste sans sugar
- Fruit for flavor: Cucumber, basil, watermelon
- Oh, honey: Swap syrups for natural sweeteners or stevia.
- Use bubbles: Soda water stretches the drink, not the waistband.
- The drink sandwich: H2O pre + post = better next day
Related Articles
Share this Post