Top Low Calorie Wine Cocktails

Wine can be delicious on its own, but did you know that it is the key ingredient in many delicious cocktails?

However, certain wines can be pretty calorific, as can many cocktails. If you’re looking for low-calorie wine cocktail ideas, then you’re in the right place.

Keep reading for more information about carbs and calories in wine, and for our top three low-cal wine cocktail ideas.

How Many Calories In Wine?

Wine can be full of calories, so if you’re on a low-calorie diet, it’s important that you know which wines are best - especially if you’re making cocktails combined with fruit juices.

On average, you’ll find that wine has around 120 calories per glass, which means there are 600 per bottle.

Red Wine

There are various different types of red wine so it can be difficult to know which red wine contains the least amount of calories.

On average, you’ll find that red wine contains around 125 calories per serving, but this can vary depending on the brand and type of red.

A good low-calorie red wine option is Pinot Noir. Not only does it typically contain under 120 calories, but also contains health-boosting antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavanoids.

It’s generally best to avoid full-bodied reds and fortified wine - so avoid wines such as Port, Madeira or Sherry as they can be pretty calorific.

Fortified wines contain more calories due to the amount of yeast added during fermentation. More residual sugar means more carbs.

White Wine

White wine doesn’t usually contain many calories - but of course, this depends on the type of white wine you choose.

The key is knowing what to look out for when you’re choosing a white wine - dry, brut, brut nature, and extra brut are terms that you should look out for on the labels of wine.

Dry wines contain less sugar and ultimately fewer calories, so be sure to opt for a crisp, dry white instead of a sugary white.

Pinot Grigio is a great go-to if you’re watching your calorie count or trying to lose weight.

Typically, there are 124 calories in a glass of Pinot - but there are countless low-calorie options that contain around 80 calories.

If your favourite white is Riesling or a sweeter wine, be sure to drink in moderation as they can contain over 160 calories per glass.

Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wine is one of the least calorific wines - with a glass of Rosé only containing around 100 calories.

A standard 12% glass of Champagne is also refreshingly low in calories, containing just 85 calories - and Prosecco isn’t much higher, with an average of 99 calories per glass of Prosecco.

Be sure to avoid cheaper wines as they often contain added sugar - instead, opt for dry wines that contain less sugar and ultimately fewer calories.

Best Low-Cal Wine Cocktails

Cocktails are delicious, and wine is delicious - and together, they can make an ultimate cocktail.

However, cocktails tend to be pretty calorific due to the fruit juices and syrups used.

If you’re on a low-calorie diet, you’re in luck - here are three low-calorie cocktails with wine as a key ingredient.

Rosé Sangria

You’ve heard of red sangria and white sangria, but did you know that you can make a fruity and delicious Rosé sangria?

Rosé is a delicious wine and can be a great addition to Sangria. It’s sure to taste light, refreshing, and perfect for the summer months.

Sangria originates from Spain, and historically uses red wine, chopped fruit, as well as orange juice and/or brandy.

White sangria is another variation, made with white wine making for a crisper, lighter beverage. However, Rosé sangria may just be your new favourite variation of sangria.

It’s simple to make, and all you need is fruit (orange, lemon, strawberries, etc), sugar, Rosé wine, brandy, and a fruity or herby garnish.

First of all, prepare the fruit - chop the fruit up into chunks and mix with sugar (however, for a low-cal option, we recommend a low-calorie sweetener). Let it macerate for around 20 minutes to allow the flavours to soak together.

Then, add the Rosé and brandy, and chuck in some slices of lemon. Be sure to choose low-calorie options - and you can always use fruit juice instead of brandy, although this will most likely add to the calorie count.

Although you can drink it at room temperature, it’s best to keep it in a fridge or wine cooler for a few hours to allow the flavours to develop.

White Wine Spritzer

As we established earlier, if you choose your white wine carefully, then you don’t need to worry too much about calories.

If white wine is your favourite tipple, why not try a refreshing white wine spritzer? Spritzers are the favourite of many, and they’re super easy to make, requiring basically no preparation.

All you need is a bottle of wine and soda water. Be sure to choose a crisp, dry white instead of a sugary white if you want it to be low calorie.

The wine spritzer originated in Austria, coming from the German word ‘spritzen’, which means ‘to spray’.

Although we’re focusing on white wine spritzers, you can also make a red wine spritzer or a Rosé spritzer, diluted to between 50% to 75%.

If you’re wondering about the difference between a spritzer and a spritz, then wonder no more.

Although they both come from the same German word ‘spritzen’, a spritz contains sparkling wine, bitters, and soda water (e.g Aperol spritz) - and a spritzer is similar but gets its fizz from non-alcoholic liquid (i.e soda water).

Although we recommend a dry white, you can also use a dry, low cal Riesling, Albarino, or Pinot Grigio.

It’s the perfect drink for a summer afternoon - simply grab a bottle of chilled low-cal white wine, and pour it into a wine glass. Then, add around 25% sofa water, stir, and enjoy!

New York Sour

The New York Sour is slightly more complicated than the other two cocktails, but it’s certainly worth it.

It’s a popular variation of the whiskey sour - however, it contains a refreshing later of red wine on the top.

The layer of red wine adds complexity, fruity acidity, and an extra kick. It also makes the drink look nicer, with a fancy layer of red creating a two-toned drink.

The New York Sour is thought to have been created back in the 1880s by a bartender in Chicago - and was later popularised in New York City.

To create the popular New York Sour, you need Bourbon whiskey, red wine, syrup, and lemon juice. We recommend using a high-quality whiskey that’s also low in calories.

Whiskey typically contains 100 calories per serving, but you can find low-calorie options on the shelves of your local supermarket or online.

Syrup can be pretty high in calories, so you may want to purchase Skinny Syrup while you’re doing your weekly shop.

First of all, shake the whiskey, syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker, and then strain it into a glass.

Then, make the red wine layer. It looks pretty difficult but it’s actually pretty easy - hold the back of a spoon above the top of the glass, and pour the red wine onto the spoon so it pours gently into the glass.

Doing this will allow the wine to settle onto the top in a layer, creating a delicious and aesthetically pleasing New York Sour.