Currently, I’m lathering on Aloe Vera after an incredibly intense sunburn due to being outdoors for eight hours.  While slightly miserable, this makes me equally eager for the greatest season of all: PATIO SEASON!

What exactly is “Patio Season”?

Patio Season is when your restaurant of choice is based on their outdoor seating space.  Sure, you could stay home and grill, and that is something we love to do as well, but there is just something about getting together with friends for a social happy hour and having an excuse to wear a dress and wedges.  

However, I have a slight predicament.  2019 was the year I decided to start taking dieting seriously.  I have alternated juice cleanses, a healthy eating plan, and various workout regimens.  I have currently lost over 15 pounds, and I don’t want to go backwards because I decided to taste test all the pretty cocktails during a weekend get together. 

With that said, I took it upon myself to do lots of personal taste-testing, chatting with local bartenders, and calorie counting to bring you my top five favorite, low-calorie, patio drinks.  My original goal was to find unique, beautiful concoctions that would light on fire or smoking cocktails due to dry ice that screamed, “Look at me!”.  Then, I saw the price tags at check out and decided to alter original, popular drinks instead that won’t break the budget or the scale!

My Top 5 Favorite, Low-Calorie, Patio Drinks

1. Extra Spicy Bloody Mary  

This vodka-based drink is my go-to drink for brunch.  The spicier the better because this encourages me to sip slowly and drink lots of water in between.  (Vodka, lemon juice, bloody mary mix, tomato juice, and extra Tobasco sauce.)

2. Mojito 

If spicy is not your thing, go for a sweet, minty mojito instead.  However, make sure to request half of the simple syrup.  I choose to say no to the simple syrup all together. (Rum, mint, lime, soda water, and optional simple syrup.)

3. Sour Apple Martini 

There is just something fabulous about sipping out of a martini glass in a sundress and sunglasses.  (Vodka, sour apple liquor, and sour mix.)

4. Skinny Margarita 

This drink has gained so much popularity especially here in the south.  Nothing beats some good Tex-Mex and a margarita.  However, just because you are drinking healthy, beware of the addicting and never-ending chips and salsa. (Tequila, fresh lime juice, orange flavored liqueur, and an optional salt rim.)

5. Skinny Dip

This drink is offered a lot here in the southern states, and it has become my signature staple.  However, the name seems to vary from bar to bar.  You might order a skinny dip and get something else entirely.  Therefore, I recommend just asking for it by the ingredients.  (Vodka, sweet tea, and water.)

*Note: Calories vary per bar and variation of each drink.  Therefore, obtaining an accurate calorie count per drink is near impossible.  These are low-calorie options compared to their sugary, decorative companions on the patio drink list.  During my taste testing, all drinks on this top five list are between 150 to 200 calories per drink.  However, I totally won’t tell if you decide to make it a double.