This guide covers the best low calorie gin cocktails you can make at home and order at bars. You will learn which classic recipes to modify, which to avoid entirely, and how to create delicious gin drinks that support your fitness goals rather than sabotage them.
Why Gin Works for Dieters
Gin has several advantages for calorie conscious drinkers:
- Zero carbs: Like all distilled spirits, gin contains no carbohydrates
- Low calorie: At 97 calories per 1.5 oz shot, gin is among the lowest calorie alcohol options
- Built in flavor: The botanicals in gin provide complexity without adding mixers
- Pairs with zero cal mixers: Soda water and diet tonic work beautifully with gin
- Sipping quality: Good gin can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, no mixer required
The challenge with gin is not the spirit itself but what you add to it. Traditional gin cocktails often rely on sugary mixers, fruit juices, and liqueurs that add hundreds of calories. The solution is knowing which cocktails to choose and how to modify classic recipes.
The Best Low Calorie Gin Cocktails
1. Gin and Diet Tonic
Calories: 97 | Carbs: 0g
The gin and tonic is perhaps the most important cocktail to get right for dieters because the standard version is so problematic. Regular tonic water contains as much sugar as cola, turning a simple cocktail into a 200+ calorie drink. Diet tonic solves this entirely.
Recipe:
- 2 oz gin
- 4 oz diet tonic water
- Lime wedge
- Ice
Tips: Use a quality diet tonic like Fever Tree Naturally Light or Q Mixers Light for better taste. The quinine bitterness pairs beautifully with gin botanicals. A proper lime wedge squeezed into the drink adds brightness with negligible calories.
Bar ordering: Always specify diet tonic when ordering. Most bars stock it but will use regular tonic unless you ask.
2. Gin and Soda
Calories: 97 | Carbs: 0g
Even simpler than G and T, gin and soda lets the botanicals shine without any interference. This is a purist choice that highlights the quality of your gin.
Recipe:
- 2 oz gin
- 4 oz club soda or sparkling mineral water
- Lime or cucumber for garnish
- Ice
Tips: Try different garnishes to vary the flavor profile. Cucumber creates a spa like experience. Grapefruit adds citrus brightness. Fresh herbs like rosemary or basil add aromatic complexity.
3. Skinny Gimlet
Calories: 115 | Carbs: 3g
The traditional gimlet calls for sweetened lime cordial, adding significant sugar. This skinny version uses fresh lime juice with a zero calorie sweetener, delivering the same tangy profile at a fraction of the calories.
Recipe:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 5 to 6 drops liquid stevia or monk fruit
- Lime wheel garnish
Tips: Fresh lime juice is essential. Bottled lime juice tastes flat and artificial. Adjust sweetener to your preference, starting with less and adding more as needed.
4. Cucumber Gin Cooler
Calories: 105 | Carbs: 2g
This refreshing cocktail tastes like a spa day in a glass. The cucumber adds natural flavor without calories, creating something special and sophisticated.
Recipe:
- 2 oz gin
- 4 to 5 cucumber slices (muddled)
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- Club soda to top
- Fresh mint garnish
Tips: Muddle the cucumber gently to release juice and oils without making it bitter. Strain before serving for a cleaner drink, or serve with cucumber pieces for visual appeal.
5. Elderflower Gin Fizz
Calories: 125 | Carbs: 5g
St. Germain elderflower liqueur adds floral sweetness, but it does contain sugar. Using a small amount creates a beautifully aromatic cocktail at manageable calorie and carb counts.
Recipe:
- 1.5 oz gin
- 0.5 oz St. Germain
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- Club soda to top
- Lemon twist garnish
Tips: The smaller gin pour compensates for the liqueur calories. This drink is about aromatics and elegance rather than alcohol strength.
6. Gin Rickey
Calories: 105 | Carbs: 2g
The Gin Rickey is a classic that predates prohibition. It is bracingly tart and refreshing, with no added sweetener in the original recipe. Perfect for those who enjoy sour flavors.
Recipe:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Club soda to top
- Lime wedge garnish
Tips: If you find it too tart, add a few drops of liquid stevia. But try it unsweetened first; many people learn to love the pure, clean tartness.
7. Skinny French 75
Calories: 140 | Carbs: 4g
The French 75 combines gin with champagne for an elegant, celebratory cocktail. The traditional version uses simple syrup, but you can eliminate those carbs entirely.
Recipe:
- 1 oz gin
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3 to 4 drops liquid stevia
- 3 oz brut champagne or dry prosecco
- Lemon twist garnish
Tips: Use the driest sparkling wine you can find. Brut nature or extra brut champagne has the lowest sugar content. The effervescence makes this feel special without excessive calories.
8. Spicy Gin Smash
Calories: 110 | Carbs: 3g
Adding heat creates flavor intensity without calories. This spicy cocktail satisfies cravings for bold flavors that might otherwise lead to sweeter drinks.
Recipe:
- 2 oz gin
- 2 to 3 jalapeno slices (muddled)
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- 4 drops liquid stevia
- Club soda splash
Tips: Remove jalapeno seeds for less heat. Muddle gently to avoid bitterness. Strain for a cleaner drink or leave the peppers for visual impact.
9. Gin Martini
Calories: 130 to 175 | Carbs: 0 to 1g
The classic martini is already low carb by nature. Calories vary based on your gin to vermouth ratio. A very dry martini with minimal vermouth has fewer calories; a wet martini with more vermouth adds some.
Recipe (dry martini):
- 2.5 oz gin
- 0.5 oz dry vermouth
- Olive or lemon twist garnish
Tips: A well made martini is about technique. Stir with ice until very cold, strain into a chilled glass, and serve immediately. The coldness is essential to the experience.
10. Negroni Sbagliato Variation
Calories: 150 | Carbs: 8g
The Negroni is problematic for dieters due to the sweet vermouth and Campari. This lighter variation reduces portions and adds effervescence to create a similar experience at lower calorie cost.
Recipe:
- 1 oz gin
- 0.5 oz Campari
- 0.5 oz dry vermouth (instead of sweet)
- 2 oz dry prosecco
- Orange slice garnish
Tips: Using dry vermouth instead of sweet and adding prosecco creates a lighter, more refreshing drink while maintaining the bitter orange character.
Gin Cocktails to Avoid
These popular gin cocktails are calorie bombs that should be avoided or significantly modified:
| Cocktail | Calories | Carbs | Problem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular G and T | 200+ | 16g+ | Tonic water is sugar water |
| Tom Collins (standard) | 230+ | 25g+ | Sweet and sour mix loaded with sugar |
| Singapore Sling | 280+ | 30g+ | Multiple sweet liqueurs |
| Gin Fizz (original) | 250+ | 20g+ | Simple syrup and sometimes egg |
| Sloe Gin Fizz | 220+ | 25g+ | Sloe gin is sweetened |
| Bramble | 200+ | 20g+ | Blackberry liqueur adds sugar |
| Last Word | 250+ | 20g+ | Green Chartreuse and Maraschino |
| Aviation | 200+ | 15g+ | Maraschino and creme de violette |
Choosing the Right Gin
All gins have roughly the same calories and zero carbs, so selection is about flavor rather than nutrition. Different styles work better for different cocktails:
London Dry Gin
Classic juniper forward profile. Works best in traditional cocktails like martinis and gin and tonics. Brands: Beefeater, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Gordon’s.
New Western or American Gin
Less juniper dominant with more citrus and botanical complexity. Works beautifully in refreshing cocktails. Brands: Hendrick’s, Aviation, St. George Terroir.
Navy Strength Gin
Higher proof (57% ABV) means more calories per ounce but stronger flavor that stands up to mixers. Use less. Brands: Plymouth Navy Strength, Perry’s Tot.
Budget Options
For mixing with diet tonic or soda, you do not need expensive gin. Gordon’s and Beefeater deliver solid quality at reasonable prices. Save premium gins for martinis where quality matters most.
Ordering Gin Cocktails at Bars
Navigating bar menus and ordering diet friendly gin drinks requires specific strategies:
Safe Orders
- Gin and diet tonic: Specify diet, most bars have it
- Gin and soda with lime: Always safe
- Gin martini: Ask for it dry with minimal vermouth
- Gin on the rocks: The simplest option
Questions to Ask
- Do you have diet tonic water?
- Can you make the drink without simple syrup?
- Can you use fresh citrus instead of sweet and sour mix?
- What is in the house gin cocktail? (Watch for hidden liqueurs)
Red Flags on Menus
- Anything described as sweet or refreshingly sweet
- Cocktails with multiple liqueurs listed
- Drinks featuring fruit juices beyond citrus
- Frozen or blended gin drinks
- Anything with house made syrups unless you ask about ingredients
Building a Low Calorie Gin Bar at Home
Stock these essentials and you can make any cocktail in this guide:
Essential Bottles
- London Dry gin (Beefeater or Tanqueray)
- New Western gin (Hendrick’s if budget allows)
- Dry vermouth (keep refrigerated after opening)
Mixers
- Diet tonic water (multiple bottles)
- Club soda
- Dry prosecco or champagne (for occasional French 75s)
Fresh Ingredients
- Limes (essential, always have these)
- Lemons
- Cucumbers
- Fresh mint
- Jalapenos (optional for spicy drinks)
Sweeteners
- Liquid stevia
- Monk fruit drops
Tools
- Jigger for measuring
- Muddler
- Strainer
- Cocktail shaker
- Bar spoon for stirred drinks
Gin Cocktails by Calorie Count
Quick reference for choosing based on calorie budget:
Under 100 Calories
- Gin and diet tonic: 97 calories
- Gin and soda: 97 calories
100 to 125 Calories
- Cucumber Gin Cooler: 105 calories
- Gin Rickey: 105 calories
- Spicy Gin Smash: 110 calories
- Skinny Gimlet: 115 calories
- Elderflower Gin Fizz: 125 calories
125 to 150 Calories
- Gin Martini (dry): 130 calories
- Skinny French 75: 140 calories
- Negroni Sbagliato Variation: 150 calories
Conclusion
Gin is an excellent spirit choice for calorie conscious drinkers. The botanical complexity provides flavor satisfaction that other neutral spirits lack, while the zero carb profile fits any dietary approach. The key is choosing your mixers carefully and knowing which classic cocktails to modify or avoid.
Start with gin and diet tonic as your go to order. Master the skinny gimlet and cucumber cooler for home entertaining. Skip the Tom Collins and Singapore Sling unless you find sugar free versions. With these guidelines, you can enjoy sophisticated gin cocktails at under 150 calories while maintaining your health and fitness goals.
Use the DrinkLeader database to look up specific gin cocktails and find more low calorie options for your home bar.
Calorie and carbohydrate values based on standard recipes using listed ingredients. Actual values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.
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