Meghan Markle's Favorite Wine and Other Celebrities' Drink Choices
Meghan Markle will likely be celebrating her nuptials to Prince Harry sipping on a glass of Tignanello wine. Here are nine other celebrities and their favorite drinks.
Overview
The royal wedding is just days away, and while we know very few details about the big day, one thing we're betting on: There will be plenty of Meghan Markle's favorite adult beverage, Tignanello wine (she loves it so much she named her old website after it!), on hand. While Markle is passionate about the Italian blend, other celebrities prefer cocktails that run the gamut from fairly healthy to sugar-laced calorie bombs. According to Jackie Newgent, RDN, culinary nutritionist and author of "The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook," there's nothing wrong with throwing one back on occasion. "I'm a firm believer in the potential heart-health benefits associated with the enjoyment of cocktails, wine or beer — in moderation, of course," Newgent explains. In case you're searching for a new favorite drink, take a cue from Markle and these nine other celebrities and their go-to wine and spirits.
1. Meghan Markle: Tignanello Wine
Actress-turned-princess Meghan Markle is so enchanted with intense, ruby-red Tignanello that she named her now-defunct lifestyle site — The Tig — after it. "It wasn't just red or white — suddenly I understood what people meant by the body, legs, structure of wine... For me, it became a "Tig" moment — a moment of getting it," Markle wrote on the site's about page. According to Newgent, red wine is "as good as it gets" when it comes to the potential health benefits of drinking alcohol. "Anyone sipping on Tignanello or other red wine will enjoy knowing that they're getting resveratrol, a polyphenol from the grape skins that may play a beneficial role in cardiovascular health," she says. Keep in mind, though, that a proper serving is just five ounces — about one-fifth an average-size bottle.
Up next: Another star who enjoys red wine…
2. Beyonce: Red Wine
Like Markle, Beyonce is a huge fan of vino and has posted numerous photos of herself chilling with a huge glass of the red stuff. An average glass of red wine contains 109 calories: Not too bad, right? To avoid drinking more than a five-ounce serving, Newgent has a tasty trick — turn it into a spritzer. "Add a handful of raspberries to a glass and then pour the five ounces (or less) of wine, let it 'marry' for about 15 minutes," she suggests. "Then fill the glass with ice, top it off with sparkling water and add a fresh mint sprig for fun." Can you say "yum"?
Up next: This Oscar winner also prefers bubbles in his beverage…
3. Benedict Cumberbatch: Aperol Spritz
"It's really refreshing. It's not too sweet. And it's a nice, summery drink," Oscar winner Benedict Cumberbatch told Buzzfeed about Aperol spritz, which consists of prosecco, Aperol and soda. Newgent is totally on board with Cumberbatch's drink choice. "An Aperol spritz is a great idea for a refreshing summertime drink," she says, adding that prosecco, a sparkling white wine, even offers some added heart-health benefits. According to one study, drinking two glasses of Champagne occasionally may improve functioning of blood vessels and possibly lead to healthier blood pressure. However, keep in mind that each serving could set you back 210 calories — the sweetness of Aperol comes at a price.
Up next: If you're craving something a little simpler, this model-turned-cookbook author's go-to spirit may be the perfect choice…
4. Chrissy Teigen: Vodka Soda
Chrissy Teigen may be an ace in the kitchen, but she keeps her drink order quite simple. "I've been a vodka gal since the beginning of time, but [I drink] vodka sodas these days because I can't handle anything much stronger, honestly," the Smirnoff spokesperson told Supercall in 2017. According to Newgent, Teigen's cocktail of choice is a great pick for a skinnier drink, with one vodka soda averaging 64 calories. "One of the lightest ways to sip a cocktail is to have it with club soda or sparkling water," she says. "But do watch out for regular tonic water; all of its calories — about 80 calories per cup — are from added sugar." It's quite possible Teigen has since broken up with her "spirit animal" drink, as she recently confessed she is currently taking a break from the bottle — and happens to be pregnant with her second child.
Next up: This actress prefers her drinks on the darker — and spicier — side…
5. Mindy Kaling: Dark ’N’ Stormy
Ironically, Mindy Kaling's favorite summertime drink sounds like it is better suited for the winter: the Dark 'N' Stormy. The ginger beer-and-rum combo is said to be more than 100 years old, invented when members of Bermuda's Royal Naval Officer's Club added a dash of the local rum to some spicy ginger beer. While Newgent acknowledges that the Dark 'N' Stormy is a tasty drink, she points out that some of that deliciousness has to do with the hefty amount of sugar (about three-and-a-third grams per ounce) in the ginger beer. "If you want to reduce added sugar in your overall eating and drinking plan, consider opting for a stevia-sweetened mixer like Zevia Ginger Beer," she suggests about the zero-calorie soft drink. "Otherwise, just plan to count the classic version as your dessert!"
Up next: This media giant probably had the sales of copper cups soaring after revealing her favorite drink…
6. Oprah: Moscow Mule
Oprah Winfrey is a big fan of the hip drink in the copper cup. Her go-to recipe consists of vodka, simple sugar, fresh lime juice, ginger beer, a sprig of fresh mint and lime. On a camping trip to Yosemite with her closest friend, she even whipped up a batch on her "Campsite Cooking With Oprah" segment. But beware: A single drink can contain 320 calories and 21 grams sugar. So just like with the Dark 'N' Stormy, Newgent recommends swapping out ginger beer for a stevia-sweetened version. "Or if you prefer, do what I do and cut the alcohol by simply going halfsies on the vodka — three-fourth's ounce instead of one-and-a-half ounces — and add a splash of sparkling water in its place," she advises. "Whichever way you decide to make it, do keep the fresh mint, as it counts as part of your veggie intake (if you eat it) and has potential anti-inflammatory properties."
Up next: When you don't have to pay for your mixer, choosing a favorite drink isn't too difficult for this singer…
7. Taylor Swift: Diet Coke and Vodka
The chart-topping singer, who has a contract with Diet Coke, keeps her adult beverage simple: just give her the diet soft drink with vodka and she's totally happy. While opting for a sugar-free mixer is a lower-calorie option, Newgent points out that most of them, including Diet Coke, are sweetened with aspartame — an artificial sweetener — which recent research has linked to both diabetes and obesity. She offers a tasty and healthier alternative in the form of a cola-style probiotic beverage, such as Farmhouse Culture Sparkling Probiotic Cola Gut Punch. "It's definitely good for the gut!"
Up next: This former sitcom star spends a lot of time south of the border, so it isn't surprising her drink of choice is readily available there…
8. Jennifer Aniston: Margarita
Yep, Jennifer Aniston loves the marg. Her ideal version of the Mexican-themed beverage has "no agave, no sugar, no mix. It's pure tequila, lime juice, a squinch of Cointreau. It's delicious," she raved. The average five-ounce margarita contains about 168 calories, making it one of the unhealthiest drinks at the bar. Newgent points out that Cointreau is made with sugar, so going light on it is a good idea. "And steering clear of most margarita mixes is also a good idea, mainly since they can be loaded with preservatives, artificial colors and sweeteners," she adds. And added benefit of margaritas? Preliminary research has found that the blue variety of the tequila plant contains fructans that may help boost calcium and magnesium absorption and therefore play a potentially beneficial role in bone health.
Up next: This former boy-bander also appreciates tequila-centric drinks…
9. Justin Timberlake: Pepino Tequila Cocktail
Justin Timberlake's go-to drink also hails from Mexico. "Every time I've been photographed at a Lakers game it's with a Coors Light in my hand. But I'm a big fan of tequila," he told Bon Appetit. Timberlake loves pepino tequila cocktails, mixed drinks consisting of cucumber, basil or cilantro, tequila, pineapple juice and Grand Marnier. Averaging 210 calories a pop, the drink isn't exactly a low-cal beverage. But, as a plant-based nutritionist, Newgent is a huge fan of Timberlake's drink of choice. "I suggest going heavier on the cucumber for extra veggie goodness, and use the best-quality ingredients, such as fresh-pressed pineapple juice," she explains. "Finally, serve it over lots of ice, so that one drink lasts a long time as you sip it slowly."
Up next: This sassy Oscar winner likes her drinks like her vacations — fruity and tropical…
10. Jennifer Lawrence: Piña Colada
Jennifer Lawrence discovered her love for piña coladas while filming "Catching Fire" in Hawaii back in 2013. Lawrence told David Letterman she spent her free time drinking the delicious concoction of pineapple juice, white rum and coconut cream. While the tropical drink has the ability to mentally transport you to the islands, it comes at a cost of a staggering 300 to 600 calories. "A piña colada is creamy and rather dreamy, yet I typically suggest thinking of it more like a once-a-week treat, not a daily drink," suggests Newgent, offering ways to make it more healthy. To lighten it up, you can use organic light coconut milk — just 10 calories per tablespoon, compared to 35 calories for regular coconut milk or 50 for coconut cream. Also, consider using fresh-pressed pineapple juice to potentially obtain more naturally occurring plant-nutrient benefits than offered by a commercially processed pineapple juice.
What Do YOU Think?
What is your favorite alcoholic beverage? How do you modify it to make it healthier? Let us know in the comments!