24 Ways to Drink Fewer Calories (without being a party pooper)

Enjoying food, drink and good company in back gardens, or beer gardens, is part of what makes summer special.

The problem for us would-like-to-be-thinner people is the copious amounts of alcohol that tend to flow freely when we're having fun in the sun.

So what's a person to do when you don't want a few too many messing with your curves? (Without being a party pooper.)

Take a look at these bottles and cans...

Most look 'normal', some taste normal(ish), and some even taste really good.

We scoured the supermarkets for low cal alcoholic drinks. In our search, we came across a good selection of low alcohol drinks too, which also work out low in calories.

We even found some alternatives to popular spirits.

Suffice to say the team enjoyed this test.

Here's the results:

Beers

San Miguel 0.0%

This is a refreshing alternative to it's counterpart AND it's less than half the calories!

A reasonable copy, particularly if you are a San Miguel fan.

Bottle size	330ml
Cals per 100ml	24 cals
Calories per bottle	79.2 cals
Alcohol content	0

San Miguel

Can size	440ml
Cals per 100ml	45 cals
Calories per bottle	198 cals
Alcohol content	5%

Becks Blue Alcohol Free

This smelt like a beer but had a strong synthetic tase and was a little watery.

That said, it was a bearable alternative to the regular version and a fraction of the calories.

Bottle size	275ml
Cals per 100ml	14 cals
Calories per bottle	38.5 cals
Alcohol content	0.05%

Becks

Bottle size	275ml
Cals per 100ml	38.4 cals
Calories per bottle	105.6 cals
Alcohol content	4.8%

Bavaria 0.0% Beer

This one didn't go down very well with our tasters. In fact, the direct quote was,

'A truly horrid attempt at making something taste like wheat beer. It doesn't. Avoid!'

Can size	330ml
Cals per 100ml	24 cals
Calories per can	79.2 cals
Alcohol content	0

Bavaria 5% Premium

Bottle size	500ml
Cals per 100ml	43 cals
Calories per bottle	215 cals
Alcohol content	5%

Erdinger Alkoholfrei

This is quite often made available at the end of Ultra Challenges and Sportifs.

It's great for quenching your thirst when what you fancy is a pint, without the alcohol.

The manufacturers don't claim this is a beer, instead calling it an 'isotonic drink' It has a taste that sits more in classic lager territory, as you would expect from German beer, but it's got a unique taste all its own.

Bottle size	500ml
Cals per 100ml	25 cals
Calories per bottle	125 cals
Alcohol content	0.4%

Erdinger Weissbier

Bottle size	500ml
Cals per 100ml	25 cals
Calories per bottle	220 cals
Alcohol content	5.3%

Cobra Zero

This has a clean, crisp lager taste that is very close to standard Cobra.

It does has a slight metallic tang, common to most low-to-no alcohol beers but Cobra have managed to minimise it with this one.

Bottle size	330ml
Cals per 100ml	24 cals
Calories per bottle	79.2 cals
Alcohol content	0

Cobra Indian Premium

Bottle size	330ml
Cals per 100ml	40 cals
Calories per bottle	132 cals
Alcohol content	4.8%

Heineken 0.0%

Our taster said,

'Not quite sure of the wizardy that went into this but to my palate this tastes so similar to classic Heineken as to be nearly indistinguishable. This is my go-to lager replacement for long hot summer days.'

So a definite thumbs up there!

Bottle size	330ml
Cals per 100ml	21 cals
Calories per bottle	69.3 cals
Alcohol content	0.05%

Heineken

Bottle size	330ml
Cals per 100ml	42 cals
Calories per bottle	138.6 cals
Alcohol content	5%

Innis & Gunn Innis & None IPA

This is a pale ale and stands out from the lager crowd with a good hit of hops and a clean finish to it.

According to our tasters this is the ultimate summer session beer and is a lot lower in calories than the regular version.

Only available online.

Can size	330ml
Cals per 100ml	19.9 cals
Calories per bottle	65.7 cals
Alcohol content	0.5%

Innis & Gunn IPA

Bottle size	330ml
Cals per 100ml	49
Calories per bottle	161.7
Alcohol content	5.6%

Wine (Based on a 125ml glass)

Blossom Hill Vie (White)

This is a really pleasant crisp wine.

Our taster said,

'It's very, very light. A good lunch time wine.'

Cals per 100ml	45 cals
Cals per 125ml glass	56.25 cals
Alcohol content	5.5%

Blossom Hill White

Cals per 100ml	74 cals
Cals per 125ml glass	92.5 cals
Alcohol content	11.5%

Gallo Summer Rosé

This is sweet but refreshing and is a great sunny afternoon wine.

In fact, one of our tasters didn't know it was low alcohol and said,

'That's the real wine isn't it?'

Cals per 100ml	60cals
Cals per 125ml glass	75cals
Alcohol content	5.5%

Gallo White Zinfandel

Cals per 100ml	81 cals
Cals per 125ml glass	101.4 cals
Alcohol content	8.5%

Eisberg Rosé

This had a really good strawberry smell and taste but was a little like squash with an edge.

Our tasters weren't loving this one.

Cals per 100ml	26 cals
Cals per 125ml glass	32.5 cals
Alcohol content	0.05%

Eisberg Sparkling White

A well balanced alternative to a sparkling white wine, not too sweet but not as dry as Champagne or Prosecco.

Easy drinking for an evening at friends where you have to hop in the car and drive home afterwards.

Cals per 100ml	24.8 cals
Cals per 125ml glass	31 cals
Alcohol content	0.05%

Average White Sparkling Wine

Cals per 100ml	74 cals
Cals per 125ml glass	92.5 cals
Alcohol content	11%

Eisberg Cabernet

Unfortuately, our tasters weren't able to test this as our supermarket was out of stock. But if the other wines from Eisberg are anything to go by this one will be worth trying.

Cals per 100ml	20.8 cals
Cals per 125ml glass	26.25 cals
Alcohol content	0.05

Average Cabernet Sauvignon

Cals per 100ml	84 cals
Cals per 125ml glass	105 cals
Alcohol content	13.1%

Cider

Kopparberg Pear 0%

This is quite sweet but tastes very similar to its alcoholic cousin without the synthetic taste of some of the other low alcohol drinks.

Bottle size	500ml
Cals per 100ml	34 cals
Calories per bottle	170 cals
Alcohol content	0%

Kopparberg Pear

Bottle size	500ml
Cals per 100ml	45 cals
Calories per bottle	225 cals
Alcohol content	4.5%

Kopparberg Mixed Fruit 0%

This is a lovely, refreshing pint and not as heavy as the alcoholic version.

Our taster, an avid Kopparberg drinker, said,

'I could actually drink this at a BBQ and not feel as though I was missing out.'

Bottle size	500ml
Cals per 100ml	38
Calories per bottle	190
Alcohol content	0%

Kopparberg Light Summerfruits

This is very fruity but a bit too sweet.

Low in calories, it could be quite dangerous because it's almost like drinking squash rather than cider!

Bottle size	500ml
Cals per 100ml	33 cals
Calories per bottle	82.5 cals
Alcohol content	4%

Kopparberg Light Raspberry

Again, this was very sweet and fruity.

Our taster said,

'Lovely pink colour with bubbles but that's where it ends . . . Very vinegary smells and synthetic taste.'

Can size	250ml
Cals per 100ml	34 cals
Calories per bottle	85 cals
Alcohol content	4%

Kopparberg Mixed Fruit

Bottle size	500ml
Cals per 100ml	42.3
Calories per bottle	211.3
Alcohol content	4%

Stowford Press Low Alcohol Cider

We think, if you gave this to someone who didn't know it was low alcohol, they wouldn't be able to tell the difference!

Bottle size	330ml
Cals per 100ml	29 cals
Calories per bottle	95.7 cals
Alcohol content	0.5%

Average Dry Cider

Can size	440ml
Cals per 100ml	36 cals
Calories per bottle	158.4 cals
Alcohol content	4.5%

Spirits

There are a couple of options with spirits and alcopops. Some supermarkets have some really good, readymade and low calorie options for you. Or you could try your own.
I’ve done some of the leg work for you:

Drink	Cals Per 100ml	Cals Per Serving	Alcohol Content
Tesco Vodka, Lime & Low Cal Lemonade	29 cals	250ml Can – 72 cals	5%
Homemade Vodka Lime & Soda	33.89 cals	Made up to 250ml – 84.7 cals	37.5%
Homemade Gin & Slim line Tonic	15.2 cals	Made up to 250ml – 38 cals	37.5%
Homemade Vodka & Tonic	30.36 cals	Made up to 250ml – 75.9 cals	37.5%
Small glass of Champagne	73.7 cals	125ml glass - 95 cals	3.3%
Homemade Pimms & Low Calorie Lemonade	161.7	50ml Pimms & 200 ml Low Cal Lemonade – 84 cals	25%
Skinnybrands Cosmo	36 cals	250ml can – 90 cals	5%
Seedlip Spice & Low Cal Tonic Water	1.6 cals	250ml – 4 cals	0%
WKD NKD Blueberry & Elderflower	34.5 cals	275ml – 95 cals	4%
WKD NKD Lemon & Lime	34.5 cals	275ml – 95 cals	4%

We tried the Tesco Vodka, Lime & Low Cal Lemonade and the Seedlip Spice.

The vodka was great, if a little sweet. It had plenty of lime in it and was really refreshing. Bonus being that is is only 72 calories a can.

The Seedlip Spice wasn't as much of a success. But does have 0 calories.

• Comments included:
• Watery
• Massively overpriced (£26 a bottle)
• Flavourless
• Reminiscent of bicarbonate of soda

So, there you have it. Our verdict on some of the virtuous, low calorie and low alcohol drinks that you could use as a substitute if you don't want to drink or are watching the calories.

I'm off to polish my halo now!