The 5 Healthiest Alcoholic Beverages To Order At A Bar

It's tough sometimes, being social and going places with friends when you're trying to count calories. Whether you're trying to lose weight for a wedding or for health reasons, being out with others makes it even more difficult.With so many alcoholic drinks weighing in at 250 to 400 calories each (that's the equivalent of a small sandwich), the idea of having a drink may feel like you're failing on your diet. You might think it's easier to just stay home, but instead, we've put together a list of the five healthiest alcoholic beverages that you can get at a bar so that you don't have to stay home alone.One important fact that can help you choose your drinks is that almost all alcoholic drinks of the same proof will have the same number of calories. For example, a 1.5 ounce shot of 80 proof whiskey has as many calories as rum, vodka, and gin - 231 calories according to the Calorie Control Council's website.

Hard Liquor And Water/Soda

One of the easiest ways to reduce how much alcohol you're consuming is to mix it with water, club soda (not tonic), or ice. Instead of drinking your vodka or whiskey neat in a rocks glass, pour it into a tall glass with ice, club soda or water. As you get closer to the bottom, refill the glass with more ice or water. Yes, this will dilute the flavor of your drink, but the taste will still be there, as will the alcohol. This will probably help you slow down when you're drinking, or might even mean you only have one drink rather than two. Either way, this can automatically reduce the number of calories you're consuming.

Wine

Wine is always a good choice when you're trying to keep your calorie count down because it is a fairly low-calorie drink. Averaging maybe 100 calories per glass, both red and white wine are a healthier choice when counting calories and sitting down for drinks with friends. Both types of wine can be turned into spritzers with a bit of club soda or sparkling water. Alternately, you can add a bit of juice to make a sangria, but be careful as most juices are heavy on the sugars, which increases your calorie count. Make sure you take your time sipping your wine and enjoy the company that you keep. One glass of wine can be nursed over the course of an hour, or you can switch to a non-alcoholic drink later so you can safely drive home.

Light Beer

If you like drinking beer, having to count calories can be a really depressing thing. Many beers, especially dark ones, have 300 to 400 calories per can. That's the equivalent of eating a small sandwich with a side of fries! Light beers, on the other hand, have as few as 60 calories per 12 oz glass. So if you're not a microbrewery beer drinker, and you don't care for a beer you can stand a spoon in, choosing light beer at the bar makes it possible for you to enjoy a brew with your friends without guilt. This might one think that it's a good idea to have two or more, but remember to drink responsibly so that you (and others on the road) can arrive home alive.

Bloody Mary

With just a shot of vodka, tomato juice, and spices, the Bloody Mary only has about 125 calories per drink. What makes it such a healthy drink is the tomato juice which is high in essential nutrients like Vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. Often served in a large cocktail glass or even in a mason jar, this drink is a great one for hot summer days, and keeping cool while you nurse it over good conversation with friends. However, a Bloody Mary often comes with a salted rim, so if you're also watching your sodium levels, ask for light or no salt.

Tommy's Margarita

You might think that a margarita, a drink that is often made with sugary sweet mixes, would be the last thing on this list of healthy alcoholic beverages you can get at a bar, and you'd be absolutely right, that kind of margarita is definitely not on our list. Filled with sugars, a traditional margarita tops more than 400 calories. A Tommy's margarita, on the other hand, is a tasty cocktail that has only 200 calories. This low-calorie version of the margarita is madeby pouring Tequila, fresh lime juice, and a touch of agave nectar into a shaker withice, shaking, then straining and serving it in a salt-rimmed margarita glass. Tommy's margarita makes for a perfect celebratory drink (or even just to say Thank Goodness It's Friday)!