Calories from mixed drinks tend to add up more quickly than calories from beer or wine. The standard 1.5-ounce serving of 80-proof distilled spirits has about 96 calories before you add anything to it. Choosing a mixer that is loaded with sugar or high in fat is an easy way to add inches to your waistline.

For example, you might think that apple, grapefruit, or pineapple juice would be a healthy option to add to a cocktail. But 6 ounces of any of these juices equals 90 calories and contains 21 carbohydrates, with most of the carbohydrates in the form of sugar. The colas aren’t much better as 8 ounces of cola contains 97 calories and 27 grams of sugar, creating a recipe for disaster. Mixers like Crème de Menthe and Crème de Cacao are far worse, with a single ounce having up to 100 calories or more.

When choosing a mixer for your cocktail, it is important to avoid:

Regular or tonic colas. Diet sodas are calorie and sugar free and a much better option

Drinks with heavy cream. One cup of eggnog (8 ounces) equals 343 calories and has 34 carbohydrates. Because they are dairy products, they also tend to have a high fat content.

High alcohol is sugar and calories. Flavored liqueurs like Crème de Menthe and Crème de Cacao have more than 100 calories per ounce and account for 55 grams of carbohydrates.

Try a low-calorie cocktail like a white wine spritzer or mimosa, or stick with a low-calorie shaker like diet soda or light versions of unsweetened juice. Diet tonic and a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice is only 10 calories and is another great option. Another option is to skip the blender altogether and drink flavored infused alcohol like many brands of vodka. Or you can create your own infusions at home.