For calorie counters, the bar scene turns into a battlefield laden with diet-destroying landmines. And while drinking your calories instead of eating them may seem like a win-win solution, it never really ends well. With a couple of tricks, you'll be well on your way to your weight-loss goal without sacrificing your social life.

Although hard alcohol itself doesn't threaten that many calories (about 100 per shot), mixers are where the trouble lies. Choose carefully - pick diet soda or tonic water over regular soda, go for orange juice or cranberry juice in lieu of sugary liqueurs. To dress up a vodka tonic, add a twist or choose flavored vodka.

Avoid syrups, any drink that can be described as a "dessert in a glass", and anything that might be cause for sugar on the rim. If you're hankering for a true cocktail, order a mojito instead of a margarita, a mudslide instead of a white Russian, or a martini instead of a Long Island. Bloody Marys or champagne with a splash of grapefruit juice make perfect company for your veggie egg white omelet the next morning.

If you're mixing up a few cocktails for a night in with friends, there are a few lower calorie alcohols that pack a punch without packing on the paunch. Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel has debuted the all-natural and low calorie Skinnygirl Margarita, at 100 calories per serving. Light alcohols, such as Voli vodka, can skim 25-40% of the calories off of regular versions without sacrificing the taste.

Trying to lose that beer belly while still drinking beer? Hate to say it, but light beer is the way to go. There are a few stand-outs as far as low calories - Miller's MGD 64 (64 calories, believe it or not), Beck's Premier Light (also 64 calories), or PBR Extra Light (70 Calories). And with St. Patrick's Day coming up, go ahead and have a Guinness - it may seem killer, but it's only 126 calories for a 12-ounce serving.

For all alcohol, the general rule of thumb is that lower alcohol content translates to fewer calories. But don't take that to mean that you can drink twice as much. Just indulge thoughtfully and in moderation, and go easy on that bar food.
 

Know of any other drinks that are diet-friendly? Post them below, or write to us at info@drinkphillycom.