Load these better-for-you sips into your cooler all summer long.

by Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN| June 29, 2021

If ever there was a summer to celebrate — this is it. Americans will be soaking up the fun all season long at beaches, backyards, front porches and rooftops. And you just may be looking for some adult beverages to add a little extra sparkle to your soiree. But many of us want our libations a bit less boozy— and less caloric — these days. The good news is that there’s a walk-in fridge worth of lighter options to try this summer.

Alcoholic beverages aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so they’re not required by law to include a Nutrition Facts Panel. But many new brands are providing this information, either on the package or online, to help health-minded consumers make better decisions. And you can always use the ABV listed to help you figure out boozy a drink is. ABV stands for alcohol by volume and all types of alcohol will list that on the packaging. The higher the ABV, the higher the calories. For example, a regular beer will range between 5% and 7%, while a double IPA can clock in at 9.1% ABV. Light beers range from 3.8% ABV to 4.2%.

Let’s look at the better-for-you sips to load into your cooler this summer:

Seltzers, spritzers and other canned cocktails

The market for canned cocktails has exploded in recent years. The category started with seltzers and has grown to include drinks made with myriad boozy options.

If you’re a fan of Brazilian caipirinhas, dive into a can of Novo Fogo’s sparkling caipirinha cocktails, in original lime, mango and lime, or passion fruit and lime. Each petite 200ml packs a punch with just 128 to 135 calories and 10g of carbs. Serve straight out of the can or over ice.

15 low-calorie alcoholic drinks to sip this summer
Today | June 29, 2021