Even if science goes back and forth on the potential health benefits associated with some types of alcohol consumption, there’s still a good chance you’ll be ordering a drink when you’re out catching up with friends at a happy hour or unwinding on vacation. Those trying to live by the data are probably drawn to the thought of ordering a glass of wine for what some research says is the least guilty option on the shelf. But according to experts, you might be better off ordering this simple cocktail if you’re looking for the healthiest drink choice.
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A gin and tonic has a few advantages over other bar options.
Perusing the backbar of any establishment can lead to an overwhelming number of options. But according to registered nutritionist Sophie Trotman, a classic gin and tonic is a simple choice for anyone who isn’t planning on cutting out alcohol entirely.
“The calories and sugar in a single gin with a light tonic are as low as you’re going to get,” she recently told The Telegraph.
However, it’s important to specify that you’d like light tonic and not diet when ordering the quinine-laden cocktail. “Diet tonic will be full of artificial sweeteners that can worsen your health in the long term,” Trotman said. “So if you’re having a few, always opt for a light version and a single shot.”
Here's how many calories it'll save you.
Just how much are you saving? By swapping out fully sweet tonic for the light version, you can drop the calorie count below 100 when mixing it with a standard 1.5-ounce serving, Today.com reports. By comparison, there are roughly 130 calories per glass of red or white wine, and about 200 calories in a can or bottle of beer.
And it’s not just calories that can be an issue.
“Wines can be quite sugary and contain a lot of sulfates,” potentially posing a problem for the digestive system, Trotman told The Telegraph. On the other hand, she warns that carb-heavy beers could cause blood sugar spikes.
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Gin could have some surprising health benefits.
While abstaining from alcohol is always considered the healthiest option, some research has found that there could be health benefits to gin, thanks to the use of juniper berries in the recipe.
According to a review posted in the journal Heliyon in 2019, the potent berries could function as a digestive aid, helping with issues like bloating, gas, and ulcers. A separate review posted in the journal Hindawi in 2021 pointed to lab experiments that found juniper to be loaded with antioxidants that have been used to treat infections in Chinese medicine, potentially boosting longevity, Eating Well reports.
There are a few other healthy options, too.
If you’re not into gin, you’re not exactly left high and dry: There are still a few other options that could work. According to Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, certified nutrition specialist and health and nutrition editor for NBC News, you can always turn to club soda to modify your favorite red, white, or rosé wine.
“Wine is a go-to for many people, but not of particular health benefit,” she told Today.com. “A ‘spritzer’ is always a good choice—club soda and wine. The bubbles slow down your pace of drinking and cut the calories in half. So you can enjoy another glass for the same alcohol serving size.” She added that mixing orange juice with sparkling wine can make for a rouhgly 100-calorie mimosa.
Otherwise, ordering your go-to spirit served with soda water instead of sweetened soft drinks can be the next best option. And if they're in stock, many brands of hard seltzer clock in right around 100 calories, too.
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Drinking in moderation is still absolutely essential.
Of course, no matter what you’re drinking, it’s still important to remember that how much you’re consuming is far more important than what’s in your glass in almost all cases.
“It’s very easy to alternate your gin and tonics with glasses of water, which you’ll thank yourself for the next day,” Trotman said.
Otherwise, there’s no harm in sipping on non-alcoholic options all night long.
“I would always recommend that you don’t drink at all, or at least lower the amount that you drink,” Trotman told The Telegraph.
The takeaway.
If you’re faced with the option of ordering a drink at the bar, experts say that gin and light tonic might be the best option. The simple mixed drink contains fewer calories than a serving of beer or wine, and some research has shown there could be benefits to ingredients used in gin recipes. However, the healthiest option is always to abstain from alcohol entirely.
