Well, it’s not exactly the diet your doctor would prescribe, but a girl’s got to have fun, doesn’t she? Yes. Obviously.

Let’s dispense with the things that aren’t cocktails. Light beer is mocked for good reason. Yes, it’s usually only has about a hundred calories, but it’s vile and best avoided. Red wine is actually a good alternative. Not only is it heart-healthy but it has antioxidants and generally clocks in at 100 calories (or less) for a 4 oz glass. Wine wine isn’t as healthy, but has slightly fewer calories.

Of course, man cannot drink on wine alone, which is why we’re talking cocktails! But before we get to that, you should know the disappointing (but all too expected) news that liquor on the rocks is always your best bet for a low-cal buzz. Vodka and gin are barely a hundred calories, so add mixers to your drink and you’re adding calories to your daily total. Drink carefully.

For that reason, martinis are the best cocktail choice as long as they’re straight up. Maybe an olive.

You can add a splash of soda water if you can’t handle straight liquor. Diet tonic is also fine if you can snag it, but regular tonic water is just as calorie-laden and sugary as soda. Maybe a splash of fruit juice as long as you’re keeping track of those calories. Fans of Bloody Marys should be delighted to know that tomato juice is actually one of the lowest calorie fruit juices.

Of course, you’re not just on a diet, you’re also on a budget. Clearly, you won’t be drinking at the club all too often. (Such a shame that carrying a flask around at all times is no longer considered classy.) BevMo is a great one-stop shop for all your drinking needs. You can place orders without even leaving the chair you’re currently seated in since their online store is fully stocked. Not only are their prices low, but they give even bigger discounts to members.

Of course, if you’re looking for membership discounts, you can’t do better than Costco just so long as you’re buying in bulk. But, hey, at only a hundred calories a pop, why not drink heavily?

***Picture by: Plan 59***