10 Low-Sugar Cocktails for a Light & Lovely Happy Hour

Low-sugar cocktails offer the perfect way to enjoy a little guilt-free indulgence without compromising on taste. These light-and-lovely clinkers provide several benefits, making them a smart choice for mindful drinkers.

Why are low-sugar cocktails so popular?

Opting for low-sugar cocktails aligns with a healthier lifestyle, allowing fun-loving foodies to enjoy social moments responsibly. The reduced sugar intake also contributes to improved energy levels and helps avoid the sluggishness associated with high-sugar beverages.  

1. Elderflower Spritz

If you’re after a low-sugar cocktail that still brings plenty of bright flavor, this elderflower spritz is an easy, elegant go-to for warm afternoons or breezy evenings.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Elderflower liqueur

• 3 oz Dry sparkling wine

• 2 oz Club soda

• Cucumber ribbon, for garnish (optional)

Method

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice

2. Add the elderflower liqueur and dry sparkling wine

3. Top with club soda

4. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon if desired

5. Serve

Blooming lovely: 13 Tasty Elderflower Cocktails You’ll Adore 

2. Limoncello Spritz

When the weather is balmy and the vibe is chilled, we like to pull out this Limoncello Spritz recipe to enjoy a taste of Italy at its most divine. Limoncello is an Italian after-dinner staple and typically enjoyed as a shot, but when you add some club soda to create a tall, cool drink it’s arguably one of the best low-sugar cocktails around.  

Keep it lean: 20 Delicious Low-Carb Keto Cocktail Recipes 

3. Dry Martini

Have you ever wondered how to get the recipe for a Dry Martini just right? Well, turns out you’re not alone. This classic low-sugar cocktail has been around for ages, and it is as popular as ever! While there are plenty of variations to this classic drink, we find that all you need to get the perfect result is to stick to our tried and tested recipe.  

4. Ranch Water

If you’ve ever spent time on a languid veranda in West Texas at the height of a simmering summer, you’ve likely experienced the joy of a Ranch Water cocktail first-hand. This low-sugar cocktail recipe is a Texan staple and will cool you down like nothing else. Here’s our super simple recipe for the iconic Ranch Water cocktail to try at home.   

Learn more: What is an Aperitif and When is it Served? 

5. White Wine Spritzer

Light, breezy, and perfect for those easy lunch-time moments, this classic spritzer keeps things simple without sacrificing personality.

Ingredients

• 3 oz Dry white wine (Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc)

• 3 oz Sparkling water

• Ice

• Lemon twist, for garnish (optional)

Method

1. Fill a wine glass with ice

2. Pour in the dry white wine

3. Top with sparkling water

4. Stir gently to combine

5. Serve

6. Skinny Margarita

A lighter take on the classic Lime Margarita, this low-sugar favorite keeps things bright and simple with plenty of zesty citrus energy.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco

• 1 oz Fresh lime juice

• 0.5 oz Orange liqueur

• Sparkling water, to top

• Lime wheel, for garnish (optional)

Method

1. Add the tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur to a shaker with ice

2. Shake until well chilled

3. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice

4. Top with sparkling water

5. Garnish with a lime wheel if desired

6. Serve

Read next: 12 Easy Dry January Mocktails for a Tasty Reset 

7. Watermelon Gin Fizz

The Watermelon Gin Fizz is your perfect summer-ready watermelon cocktail; it’s light, sweet, and fizzy, and is ideal for sipping poolside on a hot day. What’s more, it’s pitcher-friendly too, making this low-sugar alcoholic cocktail a good choice for effortless entertaining!  

8. Vodka Cranberry

If you’re planning a festive party and looking for the best cocktails with low sugar to fit the theme, then it’s time you meet the Vodka Cranberry cocktail recipe. It’s an easy blend of SKYY Vodka (opens in new window), cranberry juice, and an optional dash of fresh orange that thrives on any occasion. Serve it over lots of ice or mix it up in batches and serve it in pitchers. Simple, festive, and always delicious.   

Easy on the pocket: 16 Cheap and Easy Cocktails to Make on Any Budget 

9. Paloma

Cocktails with low sugar content do not have to be boring, and the popular Paloma is the perfect example of that.  When the citrus season rolls around, it’s Paloma time. The classic recipe calls for grapefruit soda, which can be a little on the sweet side for some. If you prefer a drink that’s more tart than sweet, we suggest swapping out the grapefruit soda for fresh grapefruit juice, a smidge of simple syrup (if you wish), and club soda. 

10. Bourbon Rickey

When it comes to refreshing low-sugar cocktails, you cannot go wrong with a time-honored Bourbon Rickey. This super simple cocktail can be poured in two minutes flat, but the elements thereof come together so beautifully that it tastes like an elegant drink that took far longer to compose. Total winner for a beginner!   

Cheers to a vibrant and balanced lifestyle! Show us which low-sugar cocktail you end up making by tagging us in your pictures on Instagram. Loving the mindful cocktail vibe? There’s more where that came from – sign up for our newsletter to be the first to read the good stuff.