Healthy Alcoholic Drinks to Order at a Bar

If you are looking for a healthier alcoholic drink, then a good choice would be red or white wine. On an average, one glass of wine contains around 100 calories, which is a fairly low count as compared other alcoholic drinks. By adding some water or club soda, you can easily turn wine into a spritzer and further decrease its calorie count. You may also make a sangria by adding some fresh juice to it. However, even otherwise healthy juices can add a lot of sugar which will only add calories. Sip your wine slowly and enjoy the atmosphere and people around you. Red wine is rich in iron, potassium, magnesium and antioxidants. It also has resveratrol that lowers down bad cholesterol and reduces blood clotting.

Margarita can be made as a low-calorie, refreshing cocktail that is usually made by mixing tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime juice. While ordering, request your bartender to not use any sour mix, but use only fresh ingredients. This type of customized margarita is low in sugar and gives you health benefits of lime too. The lime juice in it makes it rich in vitamin C, so that you are not left with a bad hangover the next day. The only thing you need to be careful of in terms of calories is the Cointreau (or triple-sec) which is very sweet. Use sparingly. Liquor like the tequila we use is strong, but relatively low in calories thanks to the amount which is drunk. It is also gluten free unlike grain liquor such as whisky.

The original recipe of Mojito uses lime, soda water, mint, rum and a little bit of sugar. Some will use a lot of sugar which is delicious, but not healthy. A reliable bartender will know what to add and what to avoid if you tell them that you want a healthy mojito. When done right, a glass of mojito will fall just under 150 calories. You may even make it seasonal by add some fresh fruits, cucumbers, pineapples or raspberries in it. By adding fruits, you can further cut down the sugar content in it.

Made with orange juice and champagne, a mimosa is part of a tasty brunch that is also a healthier alternative. It is rich in potassium which reduces blood pressure and plays an important role in the functioning of muscles. It also contains folic acid that promotes healthy red blood cells and helps in cell division. Calcium in it reduces blood pressure, promotes bone health and improves cardiovascular health. It also contains vitamin B6 and thiamin which are important for the production of new cells and promotion of DNA repair. A mimosa can also be made with grapefruit juice which further improves your health by burning fat.

A bloody Mary is a low-calorie, very tasty alcoholic drink made with tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, Tabasco, pepper, salt, celery and vodka. Tomatoes contain lycopene, catechins, vitamin A, zeaxanthin, alpha and beta carotenes, vitamin c, potassium, lutein and xanthins, all of which are healthy nutrients. Tomatoes are also known to have protective properties against cancer. Horseradish^[1] is known to have antibiotic and analgesic properties, it potentially protects against cancer and UTIs and fights common cold as well. Celery is sometimes used to treat insomnia, reduce blood pressure, improve digestion and prevent kidney stones. Since it also comes with a dash of salt, you can ask your bartender for no or low salt.

Champagne is one of the most forgiving alcoholic drinks, as far as calories are concerned. It has a number of health benefits too along with its function as a celebratory offering. By affecting your cognitive functioning, it is said to improve your memory and level of awareness. Drinking champagne on a regular basis, not too much, may even be able to delay the onset of brain disorders, including dementia^[2]. Some people claim that champagne quickly goes to their head, making them tipsy sooner and ending up drinking less. Champagne works wonders to improve your skin as well. It has antioxidants that detoxify your skin, and tartaric acid that evens out your skin tone.

Because beer is made from grains, it is high in carbohydrates and sugar. Drinking beer can elevate your blood sugar levels, and also make you gain weight very quickly. But if you are health conscious, opt for light beer instead. Light beer is not only low in calories and sugar, but also alcohol content^[3].

Gin and tonic is a drink which has been used for many purposes throughout the years. It was drunk by British colonialist forces in India who claimed the quinine in tonic would defeat malaria. While tonic water can have sugar, you can use slimline tonic instead to reduce calories. Gin and tonic is often paired with a wedge of lime, but different gins often use other types of fruit to complete the flavor profile. Miller's gin is known to go well with strawberries, so a Miller's gin and tonic with fresh strawberries is not only a healthier drink to order at the bar, it is one of the most delicious.

While these are some of the healthier alcoholic drinks you can order at a bar, they are still alcoholic and too much of them can bring about disastrous effects on your health. Here are a few things you should keep in mind while choosing an alcoholic drink:

• Watch for the alcohol content in the drink you are ordering. Higher content of alcohol means higher consumption of alcohol in your body, leading to higher health risks involved.
• Instead of drinking only, eat some food as well. This helps you to enjoy the food and enhance it with the combination of alcohol.
• Give attention to the size of the glass and the quantity being served. Most fashionable glasses are large in size. Stay away from wide glasses, as you tend to pour more without realizing the quantity.
• When you are mixing your drink with another ingredient to make a cocktail, make sure you are not adding extra calories to it. A squeeze of lime or lemon is by far the best. If you are considering soda, go for normal soda water instead of club soda.
• If you are making a cocktail by adding juice to an alcoholic drink, make sure that it does not end up making your drink a sugar bomb. A splash of orange or cranberry is fine, but a drink heavy on juice is a no-no.
• Never add pre-made mixes in your drink. These are convenient to use, but they are jam packed with sugar and sodium.
• If you are going for a wild night with friends, try switching your drinks between alcoholic and non-alcoholic. After an alcoholic drink, grab a glass of sparkling water and squeeze a lemon in it. It is refreshing, and keeps you away from getting too boozy.
• Eating something before starting to drink can coat your stomach and prepare it for the upcoming alcohol it will receive. It is also helpful in preventing symptoms like stomach upset, nausea and headache. The food will also soak up some of the alcohol, thus improving your body’s capacity to absorb alcohol. Drinking on an empty stomach can make you drunk faster and you also end up drinking more than you should. Drinking more means increased risk of alcohol related health issues.

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