When the hot summer sun is setting on your patio, there's nothing more refreshing than a cool cocktail. But those soothing sips can sneak in calories and sugar – with no nutritional value! So we asked Tina Ruggiero, RD to share her 3 healthiest cocktail recipes with us:

Orange you thirsty? Mix up a PAMA Ginger Orange Twist and you'll get a dose of Vitamin C from the orange juice, plus some antioxidants in the PAMA liquor! But with 306 calories per glass you'll want to sip slowly to savor its satisfying taste.

Light n' limey: A Mount Gay and Tonic makes a “refreshing, warm-weather drink big on flavor and light on calories, having just 124 calories per serving," says Ruggiero. Add lots of ice to the glass to create the illusion of a larger drink.

Minty fresh: For just 240 calories, a Sparkling Wine Julep offers a healthier spin on the Southern favorite and aids in digestion because of the sparkling wine. Also, “the mint is a source of phytonutrients," reveals Ruggiero.

Looking for a very simple drink? Ruggiero recommends combining your favorite liquor with a low-calorie mixer like club soda, diet soda or sugar-free lemonade.