Cinco de Mayo: 10 Alcoholic Drinks to Avoid

Frozen Margarita

Yes, we know it's a Cinco de Mayo tradition, but frozen blender drinks made with sugary mixes are bona fide calorie bombs: A frozen margarita can easily clock in at 500-plus calories. Switch to a classic margarita on the rocks—made from only tequila, triple sec and lime juice—and you'll consume only 153 calories and cut way back on your sugar intake at the same time. For a little more flavor (and still less than 200 calories), mix up a Cadilliac Rio Margartia.

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Tequila Sunrise

Though the orange juice in this colorful drink may provide nutrients like potassium and vitamin C, the sticky-sweet grenadine syrup puts it over the top, sugar-wise. Cut back on calories by sipping on a high-quality tequila instead—one jigger's worth will only set you back 97 calories. If you're not ready to ditch mixed drinks, try a lower-calorie tequila cocktail like the Skinny-Sour Sauzarita.

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Michelada

This savory beer cocktail is kind of like a Mexican Bloody Mary. The tomato juice is a good source of vitamin C, but a version of this drink that's prepared with regular beer will cost you 186 calories per 12 ounces. Have one made with light beer instead to get the benefits of the juice but save 35 calories per drink.

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Mudslide

This shooter of creamy, coffee-flavored goodness has a whopping 160 calories and undesirable saturated fat. If you'd rather save some of those calories for dessert, skip the mudslide shot and enjoy an ounce of coffee liqueur instead—it only has 91 calories.

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Horchata

A cold, creamy Mexican drink that's made from rice and flavored with cinnamon, horchata's traditionally sweetened with table sugar. An 8.1 ounce serving has a surprising 120 calories. If you'd rather save those calories for chips and guacamole, skip it and stick to water with your meal instead. If you're set on sipping a festive cocktail, mix up a Citrus de Mayo, which uses flavored alcohol as a base.

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Sangria

Though sangria's actually Spanish, not Mexican, it still figures prominently on many Mexican menus here in the US. Though it's sweetened with fruit juices, there's often a lot of added table sugar packed into that pretty pitcher. Opt for a 5-ounce glass of red wine; for 127 calories, you'll get all the antioxidants and health-protective benefits of red wine without the sugar overload.

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Bottled Beer

Most Mexican beers (for example, Corona, Dos Equis, and Negra Modelo) are about 150 calories per 12-ounce bottle. To free up a few extra calories for your Cinco de Mayo outing, opt for a light bottled beer; they're only around 100 calories.

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Canned Beer

Cans of beer (like the Mexican brand Tecate, which is often served with fresh lime juice and salt on the rim of the can) seem smaller but contain the same amount of beer (12 ounces) as bottles. Ask for Tecate Light to save around 30 calories.

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White Wine

If a glass of vino is your usual tipple, keep in mind that you're consuming 120 calories per 5-ounce pour. If you switch to a white wine spritzer made with 3 ounces of wine and topped with soda water, you'll not only save 50 calories, but stay a bit more hydrated, to boot.

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Non-Alcoholic Beer

Designated drivers and non-drinkers can opt for non-alcoholic beer, but it still has 65 calories. Another alternative? Have a refreshing, calorie-free club soda with a twist of lime instead.

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