Best and Worst Summer Cocktails

Which to drink, which to dodge, and how to lighten them!

Dodge It: Mudslide

Average calories: 500 to 850

This creamy frozen chocolate drink is a grown-up milkshake in disguise. It's probably the worst drink you could choose on the menu. It's usually made with Kahlúa® coffee liqueur, vodka, ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Get rid of the ice cream, whipped cream, and the chocolate syrup or go very light on the syrup, says Avanti. Ask the bartender to use only 1 oz. of each liquor.

If this is your once-a-year treat and you won't settle for a lighter version of it, at least tell the bartender to only whip up a half-portion of the drink or split it with a friend.

Drink It: Cosmopolitan

Average calories: 220 to 300

This pink beauty gained popularity in the '90s as the signature drink of the Sex and the City foursome. It's usually made with Cointreau® or other orange-flavored liquor, vodka (sometimes flavored), simple syrup, cranberry juice and lime.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Ask for only 1 oz. of each serving of alcohol and skip the syrup. If you really want to trim calories but keep the orange flavor, Avanti suggests swapping the orange-flavored liquor for 1 Tbsp. of orange juice.

Dodge It: Margarita

Average calories: Frozen margarita 290 to 900 calories, regular margarita on ice around 250 to 500 calories

This popular drink screams of summer fun and is often made with tequila, Grand Marnier®, Cointreau®, sweet and sour mix, and lemon, lime, or other fruit juices.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Leave out any additional alcohol, says Avanti. Order tequila (1 oz.), Grand Marnier (1 oz.), lime juice, and sweet and sour mix, shaken with ice. Add a packet of zero-calorie sweetener to cut the bitterness if you wish, says Avanti.

If you must have a standard margarita, get it on the rocks and ask for extra ice (to take up space in the glass and cut down on calories).

Drink It: Strawberry Daiquiri

Average calories: 220 to 320

This blender drink is usually made with light rum, lime juice, sugar or sugar syrup, and frozen strawberries. Strawberry schnapps or triple sec can also be added.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Cut out the added sugar, strawberry schnapps or triple sec, and keep the rum to 1 oz., suggests Avanti. Skip any whipped cream topping. If the drink isn't sweet enough, add a packet of zero-calorie sweetener to taste.

Drink It: Apple Martini

Average calories: 180 to 300

This sweet drink is usually made with vodka and apple schnapps, and sometimes contains sweet and sour mix.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Trim the alcohol servings down to 1 oz. each and eliminate the sweet and sour mix, says Avanti. Skip any caramel sauce or sugar-crusted rim.

If you're making this at home, Avanti suggests using plain vodka and adding Torani® Sugar-Free Apple Syrup.

Dodge It: Long Island Iced Tea

Average calories: 190 to 410

Don't be fooled into thinking this "tea" is good for you. This cocktail combines vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, sweet and sour mix, cola and sometimes additional juices or sugar.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Switch to diet cola and cut the alcohol servings in half. Eliminate all added sugars and juices. Swap triple sec for orange slices to keep the orange flavor.

Dodge It: Piña Colada

Average calories: 300 to 700

This slushy, frozen blender drink is usually made with coconut-flavored rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice or fresh pineapple.

Bartender, lighten it up!
If you just want piña colada flavors for the fewest calories, Avanti suggests ordering 1 oz. of coconut rum over ice, topped with club soda and a few splashes of pineapple juice.

Blending at home? Try Avanti's lightened-up version.

Skinny Chick's Piña Colada
Blend 3 oz. of fresh pineapple, 1 oz. coconut rum, 1 Tbsp Torani® Sugar-Free Coconut Syrup, 2 oz. light coconut milk, and ½ cup of ice.

Makes one 10-oz serving for 143 calories.

Drink It: Mojito

Average calories: 170 to 230

This refreshing drink is usually made with light rum, lime or lemon juice, club soda, sugar, and comes packed with fresh mint leaves.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Ask for the rum to be cut down to 1 oz. and keep the sugar to 2 teaspoons or less.

Try Avanti’s signature mojito recipe.

Skinny Chick's Mojito
In a martini shaker, combine 1 oz. light rum, 1 Tbsp lime juice (or the juice of 1 lime), 1 packet of Splenda, ½ cup club soda, and ½ cup of ice. Shake for about 10 seconds. Pour into glass and garnish with fresh mint leaves and lime wedge.

Makes one 8-oz serving for 99 calories.

Drink It: Sangria

Average calories: 160 to 250

This fruity beverage is a sweet thirst-quencher at summer soirées. And while wine and fruit seems harmless (and sounds healthy!), this drink could have added alcohol, fruit juices, sugar, and soda in the recipe, so ask your server how it's made.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Since this beverage is usually made ahead of time at the restaurant or bar, have a small serving with extra ice to keep portions in check.

Try Avanti’s crowd-pleasing sangria recipe.

Skinny Chick's White Sangria
24 oz. of white wine (she recommends Riesling); 1 oz. Limoncello liqueur; 1/2 lb. strawberries; 1 pint blueberries, 1 large white peach, sliced; 1/2 liter club soda

Place fresh fruit into a large chilled glass pitcher.

Add wine and Limoncello liqueur, stir lightly, cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours (for increased flavor).

Remove from refrigerator and add club soda, stir and serve over a glass half-filled with ice cubes.

Makes eight 8 oz. servings for 111 calories per serving

Drink It: Mimosa or Bellini

Average calories: 120 to 220

These drinks are often savored during a leisurely brunch. A mimosa is champagne topped with orange juice, while bellinis start with a few tablespoons of peach nectar, topped with champagne. Sometimes bellinis have peach schnapps added as well.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Order a glass of champagne and have it topped off with a few splashes of orange juice, or tell the bartender to add only one dollop of peach nectar to the glass before filling it with champagne.

If you’re making mimosas at home, use a low-calorie orange juice for a lighter beverage.

Drink It: Bloody Mary

Average calories: 140 to 200

This tomato juice and vodka drink is another brunch favorite. It packs a spicy kick with Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and/or hot sauce.

Bartender, lighten it up!
Keep the vodka to 1 oz., says Avanti, and see if low-sodium tomato juice can be used instead.

Drink It: Wine Spritzer

Average calories: 90 to 140

Order a thirst-quenching white or red wine spritzer to make your calories go further. This drink consists of wine and club soda on ice.