What to drink when you are being ‘good’…

i like a drink. ‘Shock horror, a well-being editor who promotes drinking?’ I genuinely think, while having a cocktail with a great friend may not be the best thing for your body, it’s way better for your soul than having a green juice. I also believe in a G&T at the end of a bonkers week. Unless you have a drink problem, I don’t think we have to sacrifice the odd cocktail in order to be healthy.

That said, the world of wellness is spreading into every area of our lives, and there’s a growing trend for healthier alcoholic (and non-alcoholic options) that won’t derail our well-being plans. Since a large glass of wine is roughly 230 calories, a pint of beer 210 calories, and a pina colada around 400 calories, what are the healthier options?

First, you need to choose an alcohol that doesn’t contain extra sugars or syrups. If you are a toxin-free type, vodka and soda is an obvious choice. It may provide some ‘edge off ’ and contains no sugars, carbs or fats, but I find it needs a huge amount of fresh lime in order for it to be even vaguely palatable. I don’t drink Monday to Friday so I need a cocktail that makes abstaining worth it. Gin is a favourite and is one of the least calorific spirits at 97 a shot. However, even ‘low sugar’ tonics can still contain a spoonful of sugar. The answer is newly launched Gallybird, which is the UK’S first sugar- and calorie-free premium tonic water ( gallybird.com).

Then there’s tequila, which is still having a renaissance among healthy hipsters. It’s still up for debate whether good quality tequila actually has health benefits but, at around 60 calories a shot and made with agave hearts – a natural form of fructose – you won’t need sugary mixers. With less congeners (substances like tannin produced during fermentation), it’s also least likely to give you brain fog the next day. I can’t stress enough the importance of a quality tequila, like Patrón, which tastes nothing like the fire water you may have knocked back with lemon and salt in your twenties. Mixed with soda, ice and a squeeze of lime, it’s my favourite summer drink.

Finally, Prosecco lovers should look out for new Floreat. Created by a qualified medical herbalist, it contains organic biodynamic botanics, picked for their antioxidant and health-boosting effects. Think of it like a Bach flower remedy in a wine glass ( floreatwines.com). @susannahtaylor_

SO, WHAT DO NUTRITION EXPERTS DRINK AT COCKTAIL PARTIES?

Amelia Freer: grapefruit & rose water sling 1 measure of gin, a splash of grapefruit juice, rose water, sparkling water and two cardamom pods Eve Kalinik: gin booch fizz 1 measure of gin, 100ml of kombucha (fermented green tea – see Eve’s book Be Good To Your Gut for details), fresh lemon juice and a couple of sprigs of rosemary and thyme Louise Parker: strawberry vodka limeade 1 measure of vodka, 1-2 tsp of stevia (plant-based sugar substitute), juice of 4 limes, 2½ cups of pureed strawberries, basil leaves, finely sliced