Looking for a 'healthy' cocktail? Try one of these 4 low-calorie recipes.

What's that feeling about warm weather or a summer Friday that makes us want to drink? There's something tempting about sitting poolside with a cocktail or joining a friend on a patio for happy hour.

But it may come at a cost to both your wallet and your health. In April, the consumer price index reported alcohol prices were up 2% since last year. There's also little to no nutritional value with the calories in alcohol, and juice mixers can skyrocket your added sugar intake.

Here are some recipes and mixes to turn to instead.

What is the healthiest cocktail to drink?

Healthier cocktails start with a clear spirit like vodka, gin, tequila or rum. These have fewer calories and less sugar than cream liqueurs.

Look for drinks that keep it simple. Two or three-ingredient cocktails will be lighter and better support your health goals, says Lauren Hassan, a registered dietitian nutritionist and chef-owner at Something Blue Catering & Cocktails.

Fresh squeezed citrus and soda water make good mixers. According to Hassan, soda or creamy, syrupy mixers can add calories and sugar, which may make the hangover worse.

There’s a caveat, however.

“At the end of the day, it’s still a cocktail,” Hassan says. “Balance and moderation are the biggest key items.”

It’s probably better to have one mudslide than it is to have five mojitos for the sake of health. Experts don’t recommend drinking alcohol for any health benefits; in fact, excessive drinking can cause or exacerbate about 200 different kinds of diseases, experts previously told USA TODAY.

But on special occasions, it’s okay to let yourself indulge a little without trying to "healthify" your drinks.

Hassan warns not to mess with classic drinks, especially because many of the ones sweetened with simple syrup use less than a packet of sugar.

“Some things are classic – you can’t put Splenda in an old fashioned,” Hassan says.

Best low-calorie cocktails to try

Instead of trying to make a creamy cocktail healthier, try a drink that is easily customizable, like a mojito.

“I like the idea of playing with fresh fruit and a fresh herb,” she says. “You’ll bring a complexity to your drink and have more flavors, and you’ll cut out the calories of having a sweetened fruit puree or extra juice in your cocktail.”

This basic recipe puts a fresh spin on an old classic and can be adapted with your fruit, spirit or herb of choice.

1. Muddle a few slices of fresh fruit and 1-2 herb leaves

2. Add 1 ?- 2 ounces of spirit

3. Add ? ounce simple syrup

4. Add crushed ice

5. Top with soda water

6. Squeeze in citrus

Try one of these combinations:

Strawberry Basil

1. Muddle strawberries and basil

2. Add 1 ?- 2 ounces of floral gin

3. Add ? ounce simple syrup

4. Add crushed ice

5. Shake and strain

6. Top with soda water

7. Squeeze in lemon

Cucumber Mint

1. Muddle thinly sliced cucumbers and mint

2. Add ? ounce simple syrup

3. Add 1 ?- 2 ounces of gin

4. Add crushed ice

5. Shake and strain

6. Top with soda water

Peachy Tea

1. Muddle peach and thyme

2. Add honey

3. Add 1 ?- 2 ounces of bourbon

4. Add crushed ice

5. Top with unsweetened iced tea

Herb Gardener

1. Muddle sage, rosemary, cilantro, mint and lime peel

2. Add ? ounce simple syrup and ? ounce lime juice

3. Add two drops of bitters

4. Add 1 ?- 2 ounces of tequila

5. Add crushed ice

6. Shake and strain

7. Garnish with fresh herbs

For amateur bartenders, here are some tips from Hassan, who is the lead mixologist at Something Blue:

• Taste test and adjust before serving drinks to friends

• If you like cocktails sweeter, save the citrus squeeze for the end rather than muddling it – breaking up the zest can add bitterness

• If you do go for a sugar substitute, use less because they’re sweeter than plain sugar

Discover more health tips for your daily diet:

• Healthiest beer: Consider these factors before you crack open a cold one

• Healthiest sugar substitute: Does one exist? Here’s what to know

• Healthiest soda: The answer is tricky – here’s what to know

• Healthiest alcohol: Low-calorie, low-sugar options to try

• Healthiest wine: Myths and truths inside your favorite glass

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Healthy cocktails: Try these 4 low-calorie, low-sugar recipes