These 10 Low-Calorie Cocktails Will Make Your Labor Day Celebration Truly Special

Toast Labor Day and the change of seasons with these 10 cocktails that clear your mind without expanding your waistline. While alcohol could never be considered healthy, each of these beverages is intended to do the least amount of damage.
Hibiscus Margarita
- 1 1/2 oz tequila
- 4 oz brewed and cooled hibiscus tea
- 1 tsp agave nectar
- Orange peel
Shake all ingredients together and then strain into a chilled martini glass. Rub an orange peel around the rim, then use as garnish.
Courtesy of Organic Gardening
The Spicy Cool
- 2 oz of hot-pepper infused vodka
- One olive
- Ice
Make or purchase hot-pepper infused vodka, gently pour into a glass, add olive garnish. This cool beverage will awaken your taste buds.
Courtesy of Oprah Magazine
Classic Sea Breeze
- 1 oz of vodka
- 4 oz of grapefruit juice
- 1½ oz of cranberry juice
- Ice cubes
- Frozen lime wedges
Mix the first three ingredients, shake, and serve over ice cubes. Garnish with frozen lime wedges. A classic sea breeze will set you back about 180 calories.
Courtesy of International Bartenders Association.
Sparkling Hearts
- 5 oz of Moscato
- ½ cup of frozen strawberries
- Ice cubes
Pour wine over ice cubes, add strawberries, and stir. With 120 calories per 5-ounce glass of Moscato and about 38 calories per half cup of strawberries, this drink is festive in appearance yet modest in its impact on your waist-line.
Skinny Bloody Mary
- 2 oz vodka
- 8 oz tomato juice
- dash of Tabasco sauce
- Black pepper
- Celery Stalk
- Ice cubes
Pour tomato juice over a short stout glass half-filled with ice. Add vodka, tabasco sauce, and sprinkle black pepper on top. Stir once, garnish with celery stalk. By going minimal and leaving out the horseradish and other extras, you save calories.
Courtesy of International Bartenders Association.
Gin and Soda
- 2 oz gin
- 2 oz soda water
- Ice cubes
- One lime
Fill a tall, narrow glass with ice cubes. Pour gin and the juice of one lime over ice. Fill the rest of the glass with soda water. It's important to remember that tonic water is nearly equivalent to Coke when it comes to calories. Instead of turning to the old favorite, gin and tonic, simply substitute soda water. Your hips will thank you.
Tequila and Soda
- 2 oz of tequila
- 2 oz of soda water
- Lime wedge
- Ice cubes
Pour equal amounts of tequila and soda over ice, stir. Use lime wedge as garnish.
Courtesy of Oprah Magazine.
Setting Sun
- 1 oz of mandarin-infused vodka
- 6 oz of club soda
- Juice from one lime
- Splash of cranberry juice
- Ice Cubes
Mix vodka, soda, and lime juice together and pour over ice cubes half-filling a tall glass. Add splash of cranberry juice.
Champagne Cocktail
- 4 oz Champagne
- 1 cube of sugar
Place sugar cube in the bottom of a fluted glass, add wine. No apologies necessary, this drink has just over 100 calories.
Courtesy of Moonstruck.
The Lean Toddy
- 1 oz brandy
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Pour boiling hot water into a mug and add a brandy, honey and lemon juice. Perfect for the evening, when the weather turns cool.
Courtesy of Colleen Graham (though this is slightly amended from her original recipe).