new year’s drink ideas: 150 calories or less

with the temperature starting to get colder outside, new year’s eve is right around the corner and people are starting to think about new year’s drink ideas. many people are used to going to parties on new year’s eve to celebrate with family members and friends. even though new year’s eve is traditionally tied to creative cocktails, many mixed drinks are very high on their caloric content due to heavy cream, soda, and other sources of carbohydrates. just because you are trying to watch your calorie intake doesn’t mean you have to give up on your new year’s fun at the party! take a look at a few of the top suggestions below for low-calorie drinks that you can use to ring in the new year!

low-calorie whiskey drinks

there are lots of people who love to reach for whiskey as one of the popular new year’s drink ideas. unfortunately, not every whiskey drink is going to be healthy. the exact nutrition facts of whiskey drinks will vary depending on the particular brand used. unfortunately, whiskey sours are incredibly popular yet are also packed with calories. the good news is that there are alternatives.

• traditional whiskey sour: a classic whiskey sour contains about 4 ounces of whiskey mixed with 4 oz of sour mix. according to the usda, a traditional whiskey sour can have close to 300 calories and more than 36 grams of carbohydrates.
• healthy whiskey sour: as a healthy alternative, think about mixing whiskey with lemon juice, water, and a packet of stevia. if you use 2 oz of whiskey, 2 ounces of lemon juice, and one pack of stevia, this version of the whiskey sour contains about 130 to 150 calories with only 3 or 4 grams of carbs. staying away from the sour mix will make all the difference in these new year’s drink ideas.

you should also consider mixing whiskey with some diet soda instead. this can further reduce the calories and carbohydrates in your whiskey drink. sticking to light alcohol drinks will make a significant difference in your calorie content.

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low-calorie bourbon drinks

traditionally, bourbon is simply whiskey that is made from kentucky. at the same time, some drinks are made explicitly with bourbon instead of whiskey. for example, one of the most common is a mint julep. even though a mint julep is a popular, delicious cocktail, it is still packed with calories and sugar. fortunately, there is a healthier alternative.

• traditional mint julep: a traditional in new year’s drink ideas, the mint julep is made with mint leaves, a few tablespoons of sugar, some chilled seltzer water, several ounces of kentucky bourbon, and some crushed ice. unfortunately, an 8 oz drink can contain more than 12 grams of carbs and greater than 400 calories.
• healthy mint julep: for a healthier alternative, simply take a shot of bourbon, mix it with a few fresh mint leaves, and combine it with 5 oz of diet sprite or sprite zero. sticking with a sugar-free lemon-lime drink will taste the same; however, this will drop it to only about 100 calories while also eliminating almost all carbs.

if you would like to go for a healthy bourbon drink, think about taking bourbon neat or on the rocks. by staying away from the mixers, you can eliminate most of the calories and carbs.

low-calorie rye drinks

rye is a specific type of bourbon or whiskey. therefore, many of the new year’s drink ideas are similar. one of the most popular rye drinks is an old fashioned. even though this isn’t the unhealthiest cocktail, it is not exactly healthy either. fortunately, there’s a way to make this drink healthier as well.

• traditional old fashioned: a traditional old-fashioned is made with a teaspoon of sugar, three dashes of bitters, some water, two ounces of rye bourbon, and is garnished with orange. this recipe contains more than 150 calories in greater than 15 grams of sugar.
• healthier old fashioned: combine two ounces of rye bourbon with 2 dashes of orange bitters, three drops of monk fruit sweetener, and a teaspoon of tap water. even though the calorie content will be similar, this will eliminate almost all carbohydrates, making it a little bit healthier.

you may not run into rye at your new year’s eve party; however, if you would like to give it a try, old-fashioned is a common cocktail.

low-calorie scotch drinks

it is highly unusual to find cocktails that contain scotch in them as part of the new year’s drink ideas. in general, a scotch shot will have about 100 calories, making it a relatively high-calorie drink in terms of liquors. if you decide to mix scotch into a cocktail, the mixers will contribute most of the carbohydrates and calories.

therefore, it is more important to think about the mixers when it comes to scotch drinks. most people drink scotch on the rocks or neat, which will naturally limit the calories and sugar content. if you decide to add a mixer to your scotch, try to stick to either club soda or diet soda. this will help you keep from adding unnecessary calories or carbs to your new year’s drink ideas.

low-calorie cognac drinks

you may not run into cognac in your new year’s drink ideas. if you see it and want to try it, one of the most popular cocktails is called a sidecar. this is a classic cocktail made using cognac, and even though it isn’t unhealthy, it isn’t the healthiest drink either. the good news is that there are ways we can make it more nutritious.

• traditional sidecar recipe: 1 teaspoon of white sugar, 2 oz of cognac, 1 fluid ounce of cointreau, ½ fluid ounce of lemon juice, ice cubes. sprinkle the sugar on a plate. dip the glass in the sugar to rim it. combine the cognac, cointreau, and lemon juice in a shaker. add the ice, cover it, and shake. strain it into the cup. this recipe contains about 325 calories with around 18 grams of carbohydrates.
• healthy sidecar recipe: take 2 oz of cognac and combine with 1 packet of stevia, 2 tbsp of erythritol, and 1 tbsp of orange flavor. throw everything into the shaker and strain it over a glass with ice cubes. this will reduce the carbs almost to zero and reduce the drink to about 160 calories. one of the lowest in new year’s drink ideas.

even though some of these ingredients might be hard to find, you can certainly come prepared. that way, you will be able to enjoy a sidecar without having to worry about the calorie or sugar content. you can also drink cognac neat or over some ice cubes.

low-calorie brandy drinks

if you happen to run across brandy at your new year’s eve party, then you may think about combining this into a cocktail. there might not be as many cocktails options for brandy as other hard liquors; however, one of the most popular is called a brandy alexander. sadly, this is not the healthiest drink in the world.

brandy alexander: 1.5 ounces of brandy, 1 ounce of dark creme de cacao, 1 ounce of cream. combine all of these ingredients into a shaker with ice. shake until the ingredients are blended sufficiently. strain the shaker into a chilled cocktail glass. grate some nutmeg over the top as garnish. depending on the exact ingredients used, this cocktail will have close to 300 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 15 grams of carbs.

if you are looking for a healthier new year’s drink ideas for brandy, think about combining brandy with some ginger ale instead. this will provide you with a nice, fizzy drink on new year’s eve that contains only about 15 grams of carbs and fat 150 calories in an 8 oz drink. if you would like to get even healthier, think about combining some brandy with diet soda or club soda instead. when it comes to brandy cocktails, most of the calories and carbs will be found in the mixer. by choosing your mixer carefully, it is possible to enjoy brandy on new year’s eve without the guilt.

low-calorie vodka drinks

when it comes to vodka drinks, one of the most popular is a bloody mary. unfortunately, a traditional bloody mary is packed with sodium, calories, and carbs. the good news is that there is a lighter version. the recipes are as follows:

• traditional bloody mary: 2 oz of vodka, 2 oz of lemon juice, bloody mary mix, 6 oz of tomato juice, and garnishes (such as lime wedges or olives). this traditional recipe contains 14 g of carbs, more than 400 mg of sodium, and 180 calories.
• healthier bloody mary: 2 oz of vodka, 6 oz of tomato juice, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, a pinch of celery salt, 3 drops of hot sauce, 3 drops of worcestershire sauce, 1 pinch of pepper, and optional garnishes. this recipe is only 134 calories and has 9 g of carbs.

the alternative bloody mary recipe is much healthier of the new year’s drink ideas. some other healthy vodka drinks include a vodka lemonade (with diet lemonade) or a vodka soda (with diet soda). these simple cocktails have fewer than 100 calories and almost no carbs (when made with diet drinks). light vodka drinks will let you enjoy the party guilt-free.

low-calorie rum drinks

rum is another popular liquor found at new year’s eve parties. unfortunately, not every rum drink is healthy. one of the most popular rum drinks at parties is pina coladas. there is nothing like being whisked away to a tropical paradise to make people feel happy. sadly, pina coladas are packed with calories. fortunately, there is an alternative.

• traditional pina coladas: 2 oz of white rum, 3 oz of pineapple juice, 1 can of coconut cream, ½ oz of lime juice. blend all of the ingredients and garnish with a wedge of pineapple and a cherry. this recipe could have north of 30 grams of carbs and close to 600 calories depending on the coconut cream’s exact specifications and the pineapple juice.
• healthy pina coladas: 1 can of light coconut milk, 1 cup of pineapple juice, 2 oz of white rum, 1 banana, pineapple wedge, cherry. pour everything except the pineapple wedge and cherry into a blender and combine with ice cubes. blend until smooth. serve in cocktail glasses and add the garnish. this recipe has less than 200 calories and fewer than 20 g of carbs.

for even healthier rum drinks, try taking rum neat or on the rocks. or, think about mixing rum with some diet soda for a guilt-free drink. light rum drinks can still be delicious!

according to noom, “when done in moderation, drinking can be a positive component of any holiday gathering. it can help people relax and, for many, relieve stress.” learn how to lose weight for the last time with the free trial offer of the noom app today!

low-calorie gin drinks

another popular liquor that you might find in your new year’s drink ideas is gin. there are plenty of gin drinks out there; however, one of the most popular is a long island iced tea. there is no way around it; this drink is not healthy. the good news is that there is a healthier alternative.

• traditional long island iced tea: 2 oz of vodka, 2 oz of rum, 2 oz of tequila, 2 oz of triple sec, 2 oz of gin, 1.5 oz of sweet and sour mix, a splash of coke. this drink has close to 800 calories and more than 40 grams of carbs.
• healthier long island iced tea: equal parts tequila, vodka, rum, and gin. add a teaspoon of orange extract and a splash of low-carb margarita mix. finish with 2.5 ounces of diet coke. pour it over ice. if you use only an ounce of each liquor, this recipe has only 1 g of carbs and fewer than 150 calories.

going with a low-carb margarita mix and diet soda makes a tremendous difference. for an even healthier gin cocktail, think about sticking with a gin and diet tonic or a gin with lime juice. staying away from mixers makes all the difference when you are looking for light alcoholic drinks.

low-calorie tequila drinks

one of the most popular drinks at new year’s eve parties is margaritas. even though these delicious drinks can whisk someone away to the islands, they are packed with calories and carbs. fortunately, there is a way to make a healthier margarita without sacrificing taste.

• traditional margarita: four ounces of tequila, four ounces of margarita premix, a splash of triple sec. when all of the ingredients are blended, this recipe has nearly 750 calories and more than 50 grams of carbs.
• healthy margarita: 3 oz of tequila, 3 oz of lime juice, 1 tbsp of orange liquid stevia, ice cubes, sea salt, lime wedges. blend everything except the salt and lime wedges. add salt around the rims and garnish with lime. with only 3 ounces of lime juice, this recipe has just over 100 calories and almost no carbs at all!

stay away from margarita premix, as this is where most of the carbs and calories come from. for even new year’s drink ideas, combine tequila with either seltzer (diet) or a splash of lime. this will eliminate even more carbs and calories when you reach for light tequila drinks or light mixed drinks.

low-calorie wine drinks

if you are thinking about drinking wine at a new year’s eve party, then you are probably wondering which one has the most calories and which wine has the least calories. in general, red wine contains more calories than white wine. rose wine tends to fall somewhere in the middle. white wine tends to fall somewhere around 70 or 75 calories per 4 ounces. on the other hand, red wine tends to fall somewhere between 80 and 85 calories per 4 ounces. a typical serving of wine is somewhere between 5 and 6 ounces, so keep this in mind as you pour yourself as glass.

some of these specific caloric content of wine, per 5 oz servings (148 ml), include:

• rose: 125 calories
• chardonnay: 123 calories
• cabernet: 122 calories
• pinot noir: 121 calories
• prosecco: 98 calories

keep in mind that these exact numbers are going to vary from brand to brand. dry wines tend to have less sugar. therefore, they also tend to have fewer calories and better options as new year’s drink ideas.

low-calorie champagne drinks

champagne tends to have slightly fewer calories than wine for a standard 5-ounce pour. people get into problems with champagne if they mix it with other substances such as grapefruit juice, orange juice, or other juices to make a cocktail. many of the calories come from these juices. in general, a standard pour of champagne is going to contain close to 100 calories.

if you would like to enjoy a glass of champagne on new year’s eve and stick to your calorie limit, try to find dry champagne, also known as brut champagne. dry champagne has a much lower sugar content. as a result, this is a glass of bubbly that will only contain between 60 and 65 calories.

low-calorie beer options

lots of people like to crack open a cold one at new year’s eve parties. unfortunately, it can be challenging to find a beer that has a low-calorie content. even light beers, which tend to have lower calorie and lower alcohol contents, are not nearly as filling as their higher-calorie counterparts.

therefore, people tend to drink more of them, driving up the calorie count. fortunately, it is relatively easy for people to keep track of beers with high and low-calorie contents making them fantastic new year’s drink ideas.

some of the beers with the highest calorie content include:

• samuel adams boston lager: 180 cal
• sierra nevada pale ale: 176 cal
• guinness extra stout: 176 cal
• harpoon ipa: 170 cal
• heineken: 166 cal

fortunately, there are plenty of beers that have far fewer calories as well. some of the options include:

• budweiser select 55: 55 cal
• amstel light: 95 cal
• michelob ultra: 95 cal
• heineken light: 99 cal
• corona light: 99 cal

it is helpful to arrive at new year’s eve parties with a plan. think about which types of beers you will look for and which kinds of beers you will avoid. in general, beers from a brewery tend to taste much better; however, they also tend to contain many extra calories. therefore, watch the beer closely at your new year’s eve party.

using the noom app you can track the light and brewery beers you consume at the party and know immediately where you are on your plan. find out exactly how to lose weight once and for all with noom‘s free trial offer!

low-calorie mixers

if you are thinking about making a cocktail this new year’s eve, you are probably thinking about which mixers you will enjoy. unfortunately, mixers tend to contain lots of calories and carbohydrates. therefore, you need to think carefully about which mixers you are going to use. some of the examples of mixtures that contain higher calories include:

• grenadine: 2 tablespoons of grenadine contains 90 calories and 22 grams of sugar. it does not have anything else. even though grenadine is a popular mixer, particularly in non-alcoholic drinks such as a shirley temple, it is incredibly high calorie.
• simple syrup: simple syrup is another mixture that contains numerous calories and sugar. a single ounce of simple syrup contains 50 calories and 14 grams of sugar. it doesn’t have anything else of nutritional value. therefore, even though simple syrup is a popular option and numerous cocktails, it is also nothing but empty calories.

triple sec and creme de menthe are also mixers that should be avoided. fortunately, there are healthier mixers as well. if you are looking for healthy mixers this new year’s eve, try to stick to diet sodas and seltzer water. both of these mixtures contain zero calories and zero carbohydrates. that way, you can enjoy your new year’s eve party without guilt.

low-calorie non-alcoholic drinks (non-alcoholic)

finally, there are non-alcoholic drinks that you need to watch out for as well. for example, one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages is a shirley temple. sadly, the mixture of grenadine and sprite packs quite a caloric punch, with a tremendous amount of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. that doesn’t make for the healthiest of new year’s drink ideas. the good news is that there are healthier alternatives available. some of the options include:

• zero calorie non-alcoholic mojito: take 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice (plus the peel) and combine them in a cup. tear a few mint leaves in half and drop them into the cup. then, smash the mint leaves together. add a few ice cubes and pour in a can of lemon-flavored diet soda. stir the mixture together with a straw and let it stand for a few minutes to allow the flavors to mix. thanks to the diet soda, this recipe has no calories and no carbs!
• non-alcoholic blackberry mojito: in a small bowl, take a few blackberries and mix them with some mint leaves. let them stand for a few seconds. then, transfer the muddled blackberries to a serving cup. throw in a few ice cubes and mix one cup of chilled sparkling water, ½ cup of fresh orange juice, and a tablespoon of lime juice. mix the drink and let it stand for a few minutes. this recipe has between 90 and 100 calories (and between 8 and 12 grams of sugar), depending on how much orange juice is used.

lastly, when in doubt, go with water as your non-alcoholic drink instead. if you can drink a glass or two of water in between every alcoholic beverage, you will be able to save a significant number of calories by the time the party ends. remember to stick to light non-alcoholic drinks as well.

tips and tricks to drink fewer calories on new year’s eve

if you are trying to drink fewer calories this new year’s eve, there are a few tips and tricks that you should keep in mind. these include:

• drink plenty of water: try to drink one to two glasses of water for every alcoholic beverage. this will keep you hydrated, preventing a hangover the next day. furthermore, this will make you feel satiated, slowing down your pace on the mixed drinks. you will have consumed markedly fewer alcoholic beverages at the end of the evening, which means fewer calories. if you feel full, you are less likely to consume extra calories from late-night food choices. for example, one study showed that drinking water throughout the evening reduced overall caloric intake.
• stick to wine instead of liquor: even though a typical glass of wine will include more calories than liquor, wine also has higher concentrations of an antioxidant called resveratrol. this antioxidant has been shown to have multiple positive health benefits, according to medical studies in precision oncology.
• ask for neat drinks: most liquors, such as vodka, whiskey, and tequila, have less than 100 calories in a single drink. furthermore, none of the liquors above have any carbohydrates. on the other hand, if you pair them with juice or soda, this will drive up the carbohydrate and calorie content in a hurry. therefore, try to ask for them neat, with seltzer, or on the rocks.
• limit the beer: finally, when it comes to avoiding calories with your new year’s drink ideas, try to stay away from beer. sure, and ice-cold beer can be refreshing. on the other hand, most beers also packed many calories and a significant carbohydrate content into a small package. even though light beer tends to have fewer calories and carbohydrates, this is unlikely to fill you up as much, meaning you are prone to drinking more of them.
• for non-alcoholic drinks, stay away from regular soda: finally, when you reach for non-alcoholic drinks, stay away from regular soda. sure, sweet soda can taste delicious; however, this is also a source of empty calories. soda doesn’t fill you up as much, yet a 16 oz bottle of coca-cola still has close to 200 calories and more than 40 grams of sugar. furthermore, many medical studies have linked sugar drinks, such as soda, to numerous long-term health problems, as per obesity reviews.

these are just a few of the tips that you should follow at your new year’s eve party this year to limit the liquid calories. in addition to thinking about alcoholic beverages, you should also think of those non-alcoholic drinks as well. sodas, sports drinks, and numerous other non-alcoholic drinks are still packed full of calories and sugar. instead, try to stick to diet sodas, water, and neat drinks. this can go a long way toward ensuring that you can still enjoy your new year’s eve party without having to ruin your diet or break your calorie limit.

high-calorie drink ingredients and substitutes

when you’re trying to figure out what to drink on new year’s eve, you need to be aware of what is going into your drinks. there are a few common ingredients that truly pack on the calories. some of the drink ingredients with the highest calorie content include:

• heavy cream: without a doubt, heavy cream is one of the drink ingredients with the highest calorie content. a common ingredient in a white russian, heavy cream has close to 30 calories in a single tablespoon (depending on the exact brand). it is also a source of carbohydrates and fats. if you are looking for a vodka drink, think about going with a vodka soda or a vodka lemonade instead, as you will still get your vodka fix but forgo the heavy cream.
• triple sec: triple sec is a common ingredient in numerous drinks, such as a classic cosmopolitan, a kamikaze, and a titorita. unfortunately, triple sec can also pack a tremendous number of calories into a small volume. even though this ingredient can make numerous drinks taste better, a single shot can contain close to a hundred calories and more than 10 grams of sugar. therefore, reach for a different mixer, such as a sugar-free version of simple syrup.
• regular soda: no matter what soda you might be using in your drink, such as coca-cola, pepsi, sprite, orange soda, or grape soda, all of these drinks are going to pack a tremendous number of calories and a significant amount of sugar into a small volume. the good news is that there is an easy fix for this. instead of using regular soda, go with diet soda instead. the taste is similar, and if you mix it into a cocktail, you are unlikely to notice the difference.
• creme de menthe: creme de menthe is another common ingredient in numerous cocktails, such as bailey’s mint martini, a grasshopper, and a chocolate mint martini. even though creme de menthe is a delicious mixer, it also has more than 70 calories and close to 8 grams of sugar in a single shot. therefore, try to go with something else, such as a peppermint extract, skim milk, lime juice with peppermint oil, or a different drink entirely.
• kahlua: many people say that kahlua tastes like coffee mixed with hot chocolate. unfortunately, kahlua’s single fluid ounce also contains more than 100 calories and at least 10 grams of sugar. therefore, this is another mixer that should be avoided at new year’s eve parties. the good news is that there are alternatives available, such as coffee, espresso, or another coffee-flavored liquor.

keep your eyes open for these ingredients at your new year’s eve party. try to stay away from them and ask for substitutes when possible. this can save you a significant number of calories without sacrificing your fun.

how to order a healthier drink at a restaurant or bar

if you are going out to a restaurant or a bar for new year’s eve, you might be wondering how you can order a healthier drink. there are a few pieces of advice that you should follow. these include:

• reach for wine or liquor instead of beer: the first step you should follow is to try to order mixed drinks or wine instead of beer. when it comes to alcoholic beverages, beer tends to have the most calories. this is because beer tends to be made from wheat, which is a tremendous source of calories. even other types of beer, such as stouts, still manage to pack on the calories. try to stay away from beer and stick to wine or liquor instead.
• ask for it on the rocks: by asking for your drink to be poured over ice, you take out any calories associated with mixers like soda, sweet and sour, and other liquors. you can also ask for your drink to be straight up or neat.
• replace the regular soda with diet soda: if you are ordering a mixed drink at a bar or restaurant, look at the ingredients and see if soda is included. then, ask the bartender if there’s any way you can replace the regular soda with a diet soda. regular soda is a tremendous source of calories and carbohydrates. diet soda, on the other hand, has zero calories and zero carbohydrates. by making this simple replacement, you will limit the caloric intake and preserve the taste of your drink.
• ask for the nutrition facts: finally, when in doubt, ask to see the nutrition facts of everything in the drink. most restaurants will list out the exact ingredients in every drink; however, the menus often do not include the nutrition facts next to each ingredient. do not hesitate to ask for more information before you decide what you were going to order at the bar. this will help you control your calories.

remember, if you are ordering liquor, you can always ask to forgo all of the mixers, and other ingredients entirely and simply get the liquor neat. even though this might impact the taste, this will forgo some of the most calorie-dense portions of alcoholic beverages. finally, remember to drink glasses of water in between your alcoholic beverages as well. this can go a long way toward making you feel full, limiting the pace of consuming alcoholic beverages. by the time the night is through, you will probably have consumed markedly fewer calories.

can i drink on new year’s and still lose weight?

in the end, you can undoubtedly drink on new year’s and still lose weight. whether you are celebrating at home, going to a party, or going out to a bar or restaurant, you simply need to be mindful of what you are doing at the party. try to develop a plan beforehand regarding how you are going to approach your drinks. first, think about which drinks you are going to consume and which drinks you will avoid altogether. then, think about how many drinks you are going to consume per hour. if you take the time to plan now, you are more likely to stick to this plan when you get to the party. then, you will be able to enjoy your new year’s eve while still sticking to your diet.

the idea behind successful weight loss is learning how to eat the right foods in the right amounts so you naturally make those choices. that’s what noom has to offer users. plus, during your free trial offer you will connect with a personal coach, learn how calorie density has been the answer to stop calorie counting and how psychology plays a huge role in your results, along with so much more!