Low-calorie alcoholic drinks in a can are a rare find - but now spring is finally in the air and summer is just around the corner, these staple beverages make great options for those looking to enjoy a boozy picnic while keeping their calorie count low.
Here, seltzers, spritzers, and even some beers find their time to shine. Refreshing, light, and packed with exciting flavours, these often come in at just over or under 100 calories and can be the easy low-cal, low-carbohydrate and/or low-sugar alternatives you're looking for.
If you're looking to lose weight without dieting, opting for the lowest-calorie alcohol is a good idea. To help you find your favourite, we've gathered the best low-calorie alcoholic drinks in a can on the shelves now in 2024, including beers, wine spritzers, cocktails, and more.
What are low-calorie alcoholic drinks in a can?
Low-calorie alcoholic drinks are alcoholic beverages that are low in calories (the energy in food and drink). The number of calories everyone needs per day depends on a few factors, including age, height, weight, and activity levels. If you go above your maintenance level (the number you need to maintain your weight), you'll gain weight. If you go below it by eating fewer calories or burning more, you'll lose weight.
If you are trying to get into a calorie deficit to lose weight and drinking is a big part of your social life, you may not want to cut alcohol out completely - and there's no need to either. “If you’re looking to reduce your calorie intake whilst enjoying alcohol over the summer, I’d recommend opting for low-calorie vodka and other light spirits with diet mixers over sugary alcopops, ciders, and cocktails," says Richie Howey, a certified personal trainer and lifestyle coach. "It’s all about making smart choices that serve you and your weight loss goals."
Low-calorie alcoholic drinks in a can are also helpful here, as some of the most common ones include spritzers, low-calorie cocktails, and seltzers - flavoured sparkling water combined with a type of spirit (usually vodka).
Best low calorie alcoholic drinks in a can
Under 150 calories
LuvJus Cocktails are blended vodka drinks with just 107 calories per can and no added sugar, making them the perfect picnic companion for those who love fruity drinks with unique flavours, such as pineapple, mint, and jasmine Korean ginseng.
A 355ml can of this fan-favourite beer is just 148 calories, which may surprise some people. It's a light larger, full of flavour and zest, and comes in glass bottles and cans from most grocery and online stores. As one of the best types of low-calorie beer, it's well worth trying - with a slice of lime on the top.
Enjoy the fruity flavours and tart notes of summer's favourite drink with Pimm's - now available to buy online, premixed with lemonade, in a can for just 141 calories.
Enjoy four varieties of flavour in this mixed pack of 6% cocktails for 144 calories each. Each case contains three cans of each flavour so you can explore the passionfruit martini, 'on the beach', strawberry daiquiri, and pina colada flavours to your heart's content.
With an alcohol percentage of 8.5%, these are the ultimate picnic tinnies for wine lovers. Skinny Tinny wines have 130 calories per drink and they come in stunning floral packaging.
If you like a traditional cocktail, MOTH's range should have you covered this summer. Their Old Fashioned cocktail comes in at 124 calories while the Margarita sits at 133 calories per can.
Available in peach, grapefruit, and elderflower flavours, these fruity, light, and refreshing beers are just 125 calories each. They also have 63% less added sugar than standard cider with just 3g per 100ml.
It may surprise you to know that a 330ml can of Camden Town Brewery's famous Camden Hells lager is only 127 calories. 4.6% ABV too and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Believe it or not, we've found wine (in a can!) for under 150 calories, with the red wine containing 130 calories and white or rosé varieties containing 121 calories per can. Each can also offers 1/4 of a bottle of wine, so they're a great alternative if you're looking to monitor how much you're drinking - or drink less.
Under 100 calories
At 93 calories per can, DRTY seltzers have had a revamp in the last year both in package design and calorie content with fewer calories (and more exciting flavours) than before - but they're as refreshing and delicious as always.
Just 100 calories per can, Goldling's Sundown mixed drink combines premium distilled vodka with fresh Persian lime, rich pineapple, and Kaffir lime leaf for a unique tropical infusion we've not seen anywhere else. It's fit for a summer's day and perfect for those who love a tart freshness to drinks.
At 95 calories per can, Served's vodka and sparkling water offering is among the lowest on this list in both sugar and calories. These drinks are made with four-times distilled premium vodka and wonky fruit for a fresh taste with less food waste.
Everyone knows the sight of an Aperol Spritz is the first sign of summer. So no matter the weather, bring in the season with Sprezza Rossa's can of red vermouth, mineral water, and orange bitters, all carbonated to resemble the classic Italian spritz. 100 calories per can.
Topo Chico's Hard Seltzer is one you've probably seen while browsing groceries online. If you haven't tried it before, it's worth a taste test. At just 96 calories per can, with flavours like lemon and lime and tropical mango, it sparks a taste of summer.
At just 95 calories per can with 4% alcohol, this is the best low-calorie and low-sugar wine spritzer we've seen. As well as the refreshing sauvignon blanc spritz, there's a French rosé and hibiscus infusion for just 4 calories more to enjoy on a hot day.
If a vodka and soda with lime is your normal go-to drink, try one of these delicious & Soda mixers at 92 calories per can. Available both in the classic lime flavour and raspberry twist, they're perfect for those who don't like the fizz of a seltzer but still want zing.
At just 90 calories per can with a 4.5 alcohol percentage, White Claw is one of the best low calorie alcoholic drinks in a can for the summer. Fresh, punchy, fruity, and available in a number of flavors including lime, raspberry, and mango.
This is hands-down the best minimal-calorie IPA we've tasted, making it a winner for beer lovers who love a low-sugar and low-calorie option. While there might only be 89 calories per can, this beer from Skinny Brands doesn't compromise on taste. You'd never notice the difference!
What's the best low-calorie alcoholic drink in a can for weight loss?
When we look exclusively at calories per serving, a simple mixer and spirit or low-calorie beer will ultimately be the best low-calorie non-alcoholic drink in a can. This includes options like gin and diet tonic, tequila and diet tonic, rum and diet cola, and beers like Camen Hells and Skinny IPA.
These options will have less sugar in the recipe than even some of the low calorie cocktail options, simply because cocktails require more ingredients that tend to sit on the sweeter end of the taste spectrum. Sweeter ingredients tend to contain sugar, which is higher in calories.
How does alcohol impact weight loss?
Yes, drinking alcohol can make it harder to lose weight in several ways. Firstly, you can 'drink your calories' without realising as alcohol is one of the most calorie-rich substances we consume with three calories per gram of liquor. Drinking can easily take you out of a calorie deficit, which is essential for sustainable weight loss.
"It all comes down to calories," PT Richie Howey confirms. "For example, the difference between choosing a diet mixer over a full-fat Coke can be 500 to 1000 calories through a night out." This can be the difference between sticking to your deficit and not losing weight at all, especially if you drink regularly.
If you are looking to lose weight, it's worth considering cutting down on alcohol - or even giving alcohol up for good, at least during the weight-loss process. Just as many great alcoholic drinks come in a can, you'll find some of the best low-calorie non-alcoholic drinks in a can to be equally as delicious.
Drinking also doesn't only inhibit our ability to lose weight by putting more calories in the body - it's what we do when we're hungover that makes a difference too. Even if you're opting for the best low-calorie alcoholic drinks in a can, how many you drink will matter.
“As alcohol causes dehydration, hunger levels spike, and people end up bingeing, mainly because it’s difficult to control cravings when you’re intoxicated. Think about all the kebabs, pizzas, and cheesy chips you’ve indulged in over the years. They’re all high-fat meals that are the worst thing you could possibly eat when out.”
Then consider the day after the night before, Howey says. "You hardly move at all. That means low-calorie expenditure followed by another takeaway on the night as you’re bound to have the munchies. So, really, you’ll have consumed a double dose of calories.”
While a weight loss goal shouldn't prevent you from enjoying yourself, and you can enjoy alcohol in moderation with low-calorie alternatives if you're concerned about your daily calorie count, there's no doubt that alcohol definitely makes a difference.
“Fat burning is put on the back burner when you’ve had a few because your body is going to prioritise getting rid of the toxin (alcohol) before it metabolizes fat, so instead it just stores fat," Howey says.
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