Can low-calorie alcoholic drinks help you lose weight? Should you even be near low-calorie alcoholic drinks if you are dieting and trying to lose weight right now? Here is the thing: low-calorie alcoholic drinks, while far from perfect, do not get nearly as much respect as they deserve.

Of course, if you do not drink alcohol, you can care less about low-calorie alcoholic drinks, but most people drink at least some alcohol regularly – so if you do that and you are trying to get in shape, having even one regular margarita every other day will add up calories from sugar quickly. Hello sugar detox!

It is worth mentioning that low-calorie alcoholic drinks can be dangerous. Some studies suggest that low-calorie foods can actually make people eat more, because people tend to think that a low-calorie product is not as bad for them as, say, the best burger in Los Angeles with fries fried in duck fat. So just like with regular food, moderation is in order. But if you treat low-calorie alcoholic drinks as they should be treated – i.e., an indulgence – they can save you from consuming a lot of unnecessary calories, just do not expect to lose 5 pounds in 5 days.

Here is how to prepare low-calorie alcoholic drinks and how many calories they contain:

Freshest Margarita contains 160 calories: Shake 2 oz. Milagro Tequila, 1 oz. agave nectar, 1 oz. fresh lime juice and ice.

Skinnygirl Frangelini contains 155 calories: Shake 0.5 oz. Frangelico, 2 oz. vanilla vodka and 1.5 oz. club soda; pour over ice.

Lady Penelope contains 140 calories: Pour 1 oz. Stolichnaya vanilla and 0.5 oz. raspberry syrup. Fill remainder of glass with brut champagne.

Watermelon Bikini-E-Tini contains 122 calories: Muddle 1/4 cup diced watermelon, 1.5 vodka, a lime wedge, 1 oz. tangerine juice, 2 oz. Raspberry Pomegranate Skinny Water. Add ice.

Blackberry Chill contains 90 calories: Mix 2 oz. citron vodka, 8 whole blackberries, 1/4 oz. lemon juice, a splash of soda water and ice.

Tory Tiki Tini contains only 75 calories: Mix 2oz. vodka, 0.5 oz. blue curacao and 3 oz. mango grapefruit Hint water.

As you can see when it comes to calories, the low-calorie alcoholic drinks above give you a lot of wiggle room. Just make sure to drink responsibly and never, ever, ever, drink and drive. Even if you had just one drink, get a taxi or ask someone who has not been drinking to drive you home. [source: Us Weekly]