For those watching their waistlines, navigating the world of alcoholic beverages can feel like a minefield. The quest for low-carb and low-calorie options often leads to sacrificing flavor and enjoyment. However, with a little creativity, it's entirely possible to indulge in delicious cocktails without derailing your diet. Diet Coke, with its zero-calorie sweetness, serves as an excellent base for a variety of refreshing and guilt-free concoctions.
Tequila and Diet Coke: A Simple Classic
When friends ask for simple and delicious tequila cocktails they can mix up at home, a Tequila and Coke, aka Batanga is always recommended! For those of us (me included) who prefer the taste of diet soda, a Tequila and Diet Coke cocktail is a great option. The outcome is a sweet and boozy drink that adds a fizzy twist to your happy hour.
This tequila and Diet Coke cocktail contains only 133 calories, which is 44 calories less than a regular Coke and tequila cocktail, which contains 177 calories.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Blanco or Silver Tequila
- Diet Coke
- Lime wedge
Instructions:
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Add tequila.
- Top with Diet Coke.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Silver and Blanco tequilas are the best options to mix with Diet Coke. These tequilas are affordable and mostly used in cocktails, especially those made with a sweet beverage, such as Diet Coke!
The "Diet Cokagne": Tom Hanks' Viral Sensation
Taking the internet and social media by storm, Tom Hank’s signature “Diet Cokagne” cocktail is the hottest adult beverage of 2023. A unique blend of Diet Coke and Champagne will wow your taste buds and won’t break your diet with only 1g carbohydrate per glass keeping it low carb and keto friendly!
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Move over Aperol spritz, Bellini and espresso martinis, Tom Hanks created the internet’s latest viral cocktail, The Diet Cokagne (which is also being called “the Tom Hanks” by the really cool folks from what I hear.) This is a shockingly delicious concoction that happened accidentally with a celebratory bottle of champagne was poured into Tom’s glass of soda.
Ingredients:
- Diet Coke (6-7 ounces, about 2/3 of a tall glass)
- Dry Champagne (2 ounces, or a "shot")
- Lime slice
- Maraschino cherry (optional)
Instructions:
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Fill the glass 2/3 full with Diet Coke.
- Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with a lime slice and a cherry.
During Tom’s interview on the Late Show, the champagne they used to make their Diet Cokagne Cocktail was the delicious Veuve Clicquot Brut. However, at $50+ a bottle it might not be in everyone’s cocktail budget, I know it’s not in mine. If you are looking for suggestions, check out Taste of Home’s list of the Best Cheap Champagne under $20 for some options. If you are looking for the healthiest champagne for making a Diet Cokagne, I strongly encourage you to check out Dry Farm Wines. They have the most outstanding, high quality & better than organic wines, you won’t be disappointed! Dry Farm Wines are also ZERO sugar, again making them the best choice for anyone looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake! I’m sure that a Diet Cokagne would also be good with a sweeter sparkling wine like Prosecco as well, but that’s just not a fizzy drink that I gravitate to keeping stocked.. I prefer dry drinks! Since a diet Cokagne cocktail only takes roughly 2 ounces of champagne per cocktail, a 750mL will make 12 drinks! So it’s highly likely you’ll have some champagne leftover. Previously I would hesitate to open a bottle of champagne, fearing it would go to waste if it wasn’t all drank in one evening. With only 2 ounces of champagne per cocktail, a Diet Cokagne is very low alcohol. This is amazing for many of you, however if you want a little extra OOMPH to your Cokagne simply add a shot (or 2) of vodka to your glass of ice first, then fill the glass 2/3 full with Diet Coke, leaving enough room for a heavy splash of champagne! Easy peasy!
Health Considerations for the Diet Cokagne
A Diet Cokagne Cocktail has 29 calories, 1g carbs and 1g sugar. What I really appreciated during the interview segment with Tom Hanks was his transparency that he (a) isn’t a big drinker and (b) is a Type 2 Diabetic. Since a Diet Cokagne Cocktail has approximately 1g of carbs per serving, it’s extremely low carb making it Keto friendly! Since it’s sugar-free it’s a great cocktail for anyone with T2D (type 2 diabetes)! But before you start complaining; I respectfully understand that for some of you alcohol doesn’t fall into the healthy parameter and for others you may object to Diet Coke completely. I hear you and understand your perspective. For anyone abstaining from alcohol permanently or just wrapping up your dry January; you can still have a fun Diet Cokagne Mocktail by ditching the Champagne and use a Lime flavored sparkling seltzer water instead. It will dilute the Diet Coke slightly and the lime acidity will replicate the champagne flavor! Club soda will also work too! If you aren’t a fan of Diet Coke and want a more natural option, I recommend using a cola that is sweetened with stevia instead of an artificial sweetener such as Zevia.
Variations on a Theme: Other Diet Coke Cocktails
The versatility of Diet Coke extends to numerous other cocktail recipes. Here are a few ideas, drawing inspiration from classic combinations:
*Vodka Diet Coke: This simple yet sophisticated drink is the perfect go-to for those who crave a low-sugar alternative without compromising on taste. The profile of premium vodka mingles seamlessly with the fizzy, caramel undertones of diet cola, creating a harmonious blend that's both satisfying and guilt-free. Whether you're toasting to a healthier lifestyle or simply in the mood for a classic, easygoing cocktail, this Vodka and Diet Coke creation promises a sparkling experience that elevates every sip.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Ingredients:
- 1.75 oz. Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
- 4.25 oz. Diet Cola
- 1 Lime Wedge
Instructions:
- Pour vodka and diet cola into a tall glass over ice.
Other Variations:
- White Cherry Cola: Combine 1½ oz of liquor with 3 oz of Diet Coke in a glass filled with ice.
- Cherry Cola: Combine 2 oz of Diet Coke with 1 oz of cherry liqueur in a glass filled with ice.
- Cherry Cream Soda: Combine 1 oz of cherry liqueur and 1 oz of cream liqueur with Diet Coke in a glass filled with ice.
- Kickstart My Heart: Combine 1½ oz of vodka with Diet Coke in a glass filled with ice.
- Coco Cooler: Combine 1 oz of coconut rum and 2 oz of pineapple juice with Diet Coke in a glass filled with ice.
- Raging Bull: Squeeze and drop a lime into a glass filled with ice. Add 1.5 oz of tequila and Diet Coke.
- Very Vanilla: Combine 1½ oz of vanilla vodka, 3 oz of Diet Coke, and 1/8 tsp of vanilla extract in a glass filled with ice.
- Chocolate Cake: Combine 1 oz of chocolate vodka and 3 oz of Diet Coke.
Mocktails: The "Dirty Diet Coke" and Beyond
For those abstaining from alcohol or seeking a refreshing non-alcoholic option, Diet Coke can also be the star of delicious mocktails.
Dirty Diet Coke
Dirty Diet Coke is the ultimate summer mocktail! The flavors in this drink seem like a bizarre combination, but it works! It looks like iced coffee but tastes like a tropical Diet Coke, only creamier. It tastes sort of like some coconut ice cream melted in a Coke float. Looking for more refreshing summer drinks? This is a super popular way of changing up diet soda to make it more exciting. It has been around for over a decade but was primarily found in Utah, where unique soda concoctions are extremely popular. I drink way too much Diet Coke, so I knew I had to give it a try as soon as I saw this!
Ingredients:
- Diet Coke
- Coconut syrup (sugar-free or regular)
- Lime wedges or lime juice
- Half and half (optional)
Instructions:
- Fill two glasses half full of ice.
- Divide one can of Diet Coke between the two.
- Add 1/2 tablespoon of lime juice to each glass. Or, if you are using fresh lime, cut it into quarters.
- Add one tablespoon of coconut syrup and ½ tablespoon of lime juice to each glass and stir lightly to mix. Or cut the lime into quarters and squeeze one quarter into each glass.
- Add a splash of half and half (optional).
- Squeeze the lime quarters over the ice and drop them into the glass so the rind is touching the ice.
Navigating the "Diet" in Diet Coke Cocktails
While Diet Coke eliminates sugar and calories from the mixer, it's essential to be mindful of other ingredients in your cocktail.
- Alcohol Carb Content: Be aware that different types of liquor have varying carb counts. For example, spiced rum might contain more carbs than unflavored vodka or gin.
- Added Sugars: Avoid adding sugary syrups or liqueurs that can negate the benefits of using Diet Coke.
- Moderation: Even with low-calorie mixers, alcohol consumption should always be moderate.
Read also: Weight Loss with Low-FODMAP