Love a cocktail? What to drink on your weight loss jab journey
Robert Price | Last update: 23rd November 2025
If you’ve started a weight loss treatment like Wegovy or Mounjaro you’ve probably noticed that alcohol hits you differently and sometimes harder. For me it’s been bye bye Margaritas (sad face). There is good news though! You don’t have to give up cocktails completely. You just need to know which ones play nicely with your new sparkly metabolism and which ones can derail your progress in a single glass. Here’s some useful tips
Why booze feels different now
GLP-1 weight loss treatments slow down how your stomach empties. That means alcohol, like food, stays in your system longer. As a result, you may well:
- Feel tipsy faster even after one drink
- Experience stronger hangovers
- Feel queasy or bloated more easily
- Feel the effects of your blood sugar dropping more sharply
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a drink. It’s just that it’s smart to go slower, sip smaller, and skip the sugar bombs. Be careful and recognise your body is different now.
Cocktails to avoid
Some drinks are sugar and calorie traps and others can make nausea or reflux worse. Try to avoid:
Creamy cocktails: like Piña Colada, White Russian andMudslide. These contain heavy fats and alcohol, which equal stomach overload, along with 400–600+ kcal each.- High-sugar mixes: like Margarita (if made with sugar syrup, not all are), Daiquiri and Mai Tai’s. These contain syrupy mixers that can spike and crash your blood sugar along with 250–450 kcal each.
- Energy-drink mixers: these can mask alcohol’s effects and can make your heart race because of the stimulants and sugars they may use.
- Multiple-spirit cocktails: you might notice your tolerance may be lower than before you started GLP-1 treatment.
Journey friendly cocktails that taste great
Here are some lighter options that most people on weight-loss drugs tolerate well and they’re all under 150 calories per drink. Yay!
| Cocktail | Why It Works | Approx. Calories |
| Gin & Slimline Tonic | Low sugar, crisp, refreshing | ~70 kcal |
| Vodka Lime & Soda | Hydrating, clean, almost no sugar | ~65 kcal |
| Skinny Mojito no sugar syrup, just lime & soda | Fresh mint + sparkle, low calorie | ~80 kcal |
| Wine Spritz 100ml white wine + soda | Lower alcohol, longer-lasting | ~90 kcal |
| Bloody Mary light on mix | Savoury, satisfying, low sugar | ~120 kcal |
| Tequila with Fresh Lime + Soda | Simple, sharp, and light | ~70 kcal |
Remember that calories also come from the alcohol itself, so keep your measures small and your mixers sugar-free. And moderation is key. That’s the simplest way to stay on track on your journey whilst still enjoying a tipple or two! I find the BBC Good Food guide really useful – it’s here for a quick check.
Smart drinking habits
These are all common sense, but, of course, even though many of us know, it’s worth the reminder!
- Eat first: never drink on an empty stomach while on treatment.
- Alternate with water: dehydration worsens nausea and hangovers.
- Stick to one or two drinks: your tolerance is likely lower now.
- Avoid shots: they hit too fast for your slowed digestion.
- Listen to your body: if alcohol suddenly feels wrong, it probably is. There are many delicious non-alcoholic versions around now, so experiment with one of these instead.
So…
You can absolutely still enjoy a cocktail, you just have to choose wisely or rethink the recipe.
Choose lighter mixes, go easy on the sugar, and sip slowly. GLP-1s change how your body handles alcohol, so moderation and mindful choices make all the difference.
Raise a glass to balance, not restriction. Life is all the better when we can enjoy a glass of bubbles.