Low cal (ideally low carb) evening drinks

[QueenScowlene]

To stop me going for wine? Wine is ruining my diet! But I love nursing a glass after dinner. So I need something that feels like a treat and I can look forward to. I can't find anything that hits the spot. Help!

[ButteryNut]

Does it have to be alcoholic?

[LazyLeopard]

Yes! I’m the same! I swear I’m going to just have water or camomile tea, then I get to the kitchen after a long hard day and go ‘oh sod it’ 🙄

I’m going to try putting water in a nice bottle in the fridge maybe?

[MellowMelly]

Hardseltzer is my new thing. I drink it because it doesn’t make me burp but it also is low in calories.

[OkGoogleFoff]

I’ve started drinking Trip drinks recently, not sure if it’s all in my head but I find they take the edge off the day and feel like a treat. 20 cals each.
Ive now cut out wine on specific nights of the week which was my aim.

[ButteryNut]

I love the rubicon spring water drinks. Mango & orange is lovely! Also the black cherry one. Only 15 cals.

Bottlegreen pomegranate & elderflower is a nice replacement for wine. It’s quite tart rather than sweet so reminds me of a grown up drink rather than squash!

[BHRK]

Fizzy water with fresh lime

[QueenScowlene]

@ButteryNut no sorry, I should have said! Would prefer non-alcoholic

[QueenScowlene]

@MellowMelly not heard of this, will have a look!

[ButteryNut]

I went through so much sparkling water when giving up wine.

[NeverendingCircus]

I buy the grenadine sugar free syrup (the french one in a tin) and mix a few drops (it's very sweet and strong) with sparkling water over ice and fresh mint. no calories at all.

I've also just discovered Waitrose raspberry and mint fresh juice, which I mix with 2 parts sparkling water. That tastes like a mocktail. About 40 cals a glass.

[FreiasBathtub]

If you like a G&T I definitely recommend the Tanqueray non-alcoholic gin with a slimline tonic. Delicious. And not many calories. It's my go-to.

[Westfacing]

Summer is the time when I can really reduce my wine intake by drinking non-alcohol beer. I have it in a wine glass and it really does have a 'placebo' effect.

A 330ml bottle of Corona Zero has 56 calories and 13g carbs - it has a pleasing rough taste unlike the dreaded elderflower cordial!

[MotherWol]

I like the flavoured seltzer waters, Dash is my favourite but Aqua Libre is good too. They’re not sweet and the cucumber one is really refreshing in hot weather.

[mybestchildismycat]

I stopped drinking wine in the evening a couple of weeks ago following a slow and depressing realisation that in my perimenopausal state I just can't handle it. Even just one glass makes me feel shit the next day.

I don't like overly sweet drinks (well, I do in some circumstances, but not as a wine replacement) and can't stand artifical sweeters.

I've been having soda water with fresh lime juice, lots of ice and dash of angostura bitters. It's a nice ritual to prepare it and the bitters give it a bit of a depth/complexity which is missing from flavoured waters etc.

I've also found a few nice zero alcohol beers but those are high in calories unfortunately.

I'm not sure what I'll do come the winter though. Red wine will be even harder to replace!

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

Just don’t replace wine with anything full of artificial sweetener crap 😬

Sparkling water with ice and lime wedges or good quality lime cordial with soda and ice.

[QueenScowlene]

Ooh that sounds good @mybestchildismycat - will definitely try that!

[IrisBearded]

Kombucha has the bitter edge that wine has , also Trip drinks taste so good. They're just so expensive!

[Iwishmynamewassheilah]

The Fever Tree tonic waters are lovely. No artificial sugars.

[C8H10N4O2]

If you particularly like sweet drinks then I'd agree with bitters or pressed citrus with tonic. I also make kombucha which works well as you can make whatever flavours you like with fruits, spices or herbs.

For cold drinks in Summer I also make mixed herb teas in jugs and drink them from the fridge - again you can add lemon or ice.

These all have the complexity you get from many alcoholic drinks which is what I find missing from most juices and soft drinks.

[C8H10N4O2]

If you particularly like

Sorry should be "if you don't particularly like"

[RachelHair]

Kombucha or trip for me, I quite like nozecco as well

[TequilaQueen]

Sparkling water with fresh lime, cucumber and ice. I think having it in a nice glass makes a difference too.

[PlainOldEmmaJane]

Dash, Loveau, and Aqua Libre are flavoured sparkling water that have no carbs and no artificial sweeteners op. I like those, they don’t taste too sweet.

[allsogreen]

I've just discovered the dash sparkling water which is lovely. I choose a different flavour each evening, and have it in a nice glass with ice and sometimes some frozen berries or a slice of lemon. Feels like a nice treat, and no calories!

[mybestchildismycat]

@TequilaQueen

Sparkling water with fresh lime, cucumber and ice. I think having it in a nice glass makes a difference too.

Definitely agree about the glass. I've got some lovely low, wide goblets that I only use for "grown up" drinks. It wouldn't be the same at all drunk from one of the family water glasses.