Alcohol is excellent for the soul but unhealthy for the body. But what if you were able to make wise decisions that weren’t as harmful? And what if those wise decisions turned out to be delectable? Here are some lighter beverages to enjoy this summer, ranging from wine, beer, and liquor, as well as domestic and foreign options.
Many wines are inherently low in alcohol and calories (and cost). This implies that you don’t require strange or unpleasant mixtures that taste more like wine-style drinks than vintage wines. For those who like a mild yet crunchy Sauvignon Blanc, Liquid Light ($15) offers Washington State with naturally lower sugar levels, which result in less calories without sacrificing flavor.
The Portuguese wine, 90+ Cellars Vinho Verde ($10) from Boston, is fresh, delicious, and heightened by a hint of effervescence. It has 90 calories per serving and 10% alcohol by volume, making it maybe the summer’s best find.
Chenin blanc, which falls between sauvignon blanc and chardonnay in terms of body and acidity, is a good choice if you’re one of the few people who don’t want to spend your summer drinking only smart b and vino verde. A good place to start is with Kendall-Jackson’s 2024 Vintner’s Reserve Chenin Blanc ($17), which is rich and silky, crisp and fruity.
When it comes to mass-produced light beers, Miller Light is still the best. The problem is that there are many fantastic low-calorie, high-flavor brews available once you move past mass-produced and into Massachusetts-produced alcohol. Night Shift Brewing’s Nite Lite ($8 for a four-pack of 16 ounces) has reverted to its original appearance, which was influenced by the Hasbro Lite Brite toy. However, what’s most important is what’s inside this 4.3% ABV, 120-calorie American lager, which has a big taste thanks to its abundance of real corn, German hops, and barley instead of preservatives, corn syrup, or artificial flavors.
You had us at your can with Masshole Light ($10 for six packs), which shows a seagull with a pizza slice in its beak that it obviously just stole from your table. If you can find one, you kept us hydrated with a light beer that was ideal for a beach sunset without seagulls.
Now for something quite different: Meli, the United States’ first beer made entirely of quinoa. Made in Lowell by a Harvard and MIT graduate, Meli ($17 for a four-pack) uses organic quinoa and no sugar to avoid the problems that many beers have, such being excessively heavy or harsh.
The tent for spritzing aperol is open! However, there are a lot of fresh spritz approaches. Consider Armenia’s Ararat ($35) in an apricot brandy spritz. The tastes of this one are rich but delicate, and they go well with soda or a dry sparkling white. You can also prepare Ararat’s official recipe at araratbrandy.com.
Get a bottle of Savoia ($25) for something more traditional (read: Italian, land of spritz). This Turino-made aperitivo, which was inspired by the bitters of the area, strikes a balance between bitter orange and a ton of botanicals to create a tasty drink that may take the place of aperol in any cocktail that wants something less sweet.
I learned this from one of the spirit experts at Boston’s Bully Boy distillery: People think vodka is the purest beverage since it tastes like water and has no taste, but it actually has the same number of calories as whiskey, gin, or rum. Gin, which is essentially a vodka-tea, is incredibly flavorful and has the same number of calories as vodka, making it an underappreciated beverage.
Yes, and it tastes great! When you start adding tonic, the calories mount up. Incorporate a little vermouth and a twist of lemon. Bully Boy’s Estate Gin ($27) has a different vibe if you’re put off by strong juniper notes in gin. It contains a base of apple brandy, botanicals other than juniper, like pink peppercorn and hibiscus, and a few unidentified ingredients.
Admire juniper? For a classic martini, San Francisco’s Junipero Gin ($34) combines superb juniper with citrus and other bright botanicals. Junipero also makes a perfect tonic, so just spurge and add it.
