This article was written by Bobby Box. Check out the original article on AskMen for the full list of low calorie summer drinks.
Summer and alcohol go together better than two hardship-stricken lovers in a Nicholas Sparks novel. It's no secret that people in general like to 'indulge' in a few patio beers or a discreetly mixed bevvy on the beach here and there, but the reality is, this is also the time of year you want your body looking its best. And alcohol isn't exactly forgiving on your gut, your hangover or your obnoxious behavior. So if you're like me, and every "diet" you've attempted always allowed for alcohol, the following cocktail recipes will be of great use to you; all are hassle-free and don't call for ingredients you can barely pronounce. Fair warning: You're going to be drinking lots of vodka.
Disclaimer: Take into consideration that 1.5 ounces of alcohol (or one shot) contains roughly 60 to 100 calories. A great deal of the gut-expanding qualities come from whichever beverages you choose to mix the drink with. (Calories in this gallery are approximate.)
Bud Light
Let's start with the obvious: Summer is a time to make the switch to light beer. It's really not that big of a deal, but some argue it takes twice as much of the stuff to catch a decent buzz. Which could be true for some beers, but not this one. Bud Light has 110 calories with 4.2 percent alcohol. Bud Light Premium, the beer that tastes exactly the same but comes in a fancy aluminum bottle, contains 137 calories with 6 percent alcohol.
Calories: 110
Heineken Light
By opting for the lighter version, you're only sparing 11 calories, but the more you drink, the more these calories add up. The beer contains 3.2 percent alcohol, compared to the lager's 8 percent, so you can weigh your options when deciding which is better. It all boils down to whether you want to enjoy a few, or pound several.
Calories: 99
Red Wine
If you're into red wine (personally, I loathe the stuff), a 5-ounce glass of the crimson dinner companion contains about 115 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates. For dinner, experts recommend men stick to two glasses and women stick to one, because they're (literally) buzz kills.
Calories: 125
Vodka Soda
Yeah, yeah -- your girlfriend drinks it. So what? That's how she keeps that banging body of hers. If you order a single of the clear cocktail with lime, you're drinking only 76 calories; and if you go double, you're looking at 131. It's by far your best liquor option at the bar. If you're embarrassed to order such a light drink (you shouldn't be), say it's for your girlfriend, then comment on the playoffs.
Note: Don't mix with tonic! Enforcing this common substitution could add 124 extra calories every 12 ounces.
Calories (for a single): 76
Fizzy Lemonade
The word "fizzy" isn't exactly the manliest term for a cocktail, but if you and your girl are looking to have a few light alcoholic beverages one night, you'll understand why it's on the list. Mix ½ ounce of tequila with ½ an ounce of vodka, with 1 tsp of agave nectar into a cocktail shaker, shake (flex for her while doing this), then pour your mix into a nice glass with diet lemon-lime soda.
Calories: 110
For the full list of 50 beers and cocktails that won't give you a gut this summer, check out the original article on AskMen.