Going on a liquid diet?

Popular drinks by calorie

If you're really trying to whip your body into shape for beach season, you should probably give up booze altogether. But we know when you're going out with friends that can be pretty hard. 

Greenville Life Center nutrition counselor Crystal Robinson, 38, gave us some tips on how to cut calories while drinking, as well as the skinny on the calorie count and alcoholic content of your favorite drinks.

In general, the most obvious way to cut calories is to use low-calorie mixers in your cocktails. If you're a rum-and-Coke fan, make it a rum and diet. Use light versions of juices, tonic water, seltzer water, etc.

Alternating between alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks with few calories will cut calories and also prevent a hangover — think water or tonic with a lime slice. Diluting your drink helps, too. Robinson suggests getting a vodka and tonic with a splash on cranberry juice instead of a vodka and cranberry.—Katie Jones, kjones4@UpstateLink.com