If you drink hard liquor and want to be calorie-conscious, switch to vodka. Vodka also has zero carbs, which makes it a great choice for the carb-conscious, too. 

Vodka mixes nicely with anything, which is where the problem is. It's easy to throw vodka in a glass of soda, or order a chocotini before dinner, but the calories hide in the mixers.

This is why a vodka soda is, hands-down, the best for summer. You could have quite a few of these and the calories wouldn't even come close to what's in a Long Island Iced Tea, for example (up to 800 calories!!!). And, you hydrate yourself while you drink, which is helpful if you're out soaking up some sun.

The perfect vodka soda

• 1 oz. vodka (or gin if you'd prefer)
• 1 oz. lemon or lime juice
• Seltzer or club soda (What's the difference? Club soda has a small amount of salt. Seltzer is simply carbonated water.)
• Ice cubes
• Lemon or lime wedge for garnish

Fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes. Add vodka, then lemon/lime juice. Fill the remainder of the glass with seltzer or club soda and stir. Garnish with your lemon or lime wedge.

For a variation, muddle fresh berries at the bottom of your glass, or choose a flavored seltzer.