You can tell a lot about a person by his choice of drink. A Manhattan fan revels in old-school class, while a margarita lover enjoys a fiesta. Well, even if you’re following a weight-loss plan, you can still go out and enjoy a few cocktails with friends. Just use common sense when ordering, and stick to some easy rules.

Mind Your Mixers

• Juice is comparable to soda in terms of PointsPlus™ values, but if you use 100% juice, at least you’re getting extra vitamins.
• Carbonated mixers, such as colas, sweetened clear sodas, and tonic water, all pack a PointsPlus value of about 1 per four ounces.
• A lot of frozen drinks contain dairy-based mixers with added sugar, which can add a PointsPlus value of 2 or more for every ounce.
• Powdered add-ins, like sour mix or pure sugar, may seem like mere flavoring but do add some extra PointsPlus values.

Drink Less By …

• Eating before going out. It helps prevent late-night food-fests.
• Alternating drinks with water. It’ll keep you hydrated, and helps with hangovers.
• Drinking slowly. It makes PointsPlus values easier to track.
• Talking. It’ll prevent you from drinking too quickly, and you’ll be less likely to over-imbibe.

Lessons in Liquor

• Drinks combining different liquors will have a higher PointsPlus value. A 12 oz. long island iced tea, containing gin, rum, tequila and vodka, has a PointsPlus value of 9. A 4 oz. rum and coke only has a PointsPlus value of 4. A 12 oz. frozen mudslide, with vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream and chocolate ice cream has a whopping PointsPlus value of 30!
• Note the glass-size. If a bartender hands you a large glass or pours in a lot of booze, adjust the PointsPlus value. Or request the size or amount you want.
• Remember that most liquor has 4 PointsPlus values per 1.5 ounces, and there’s little difference among varieties. One ounce of whiskey is equal to one ounce of rum, gin, etc.