8 Lower-Calorie Holiday Cocktails

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1 8 Lower-Calorie Holiday Cocktails Who doesn t like a good cocktail during the holidays? Sure, spending 3 days straight with your extended family might have something to do with it, but beside that, nearly everyone likes to let loose at this time of year. And there are plenty of occasions to do so. From the office holiday party to the lighting of the menorah to the various eve and morning festivities, there s no shortage of celebrations that can involve libations. Unfortunately, most holiday cocktails tend to give the double gift of too much fat and too many calories. One cup of eggnog has 343 calories and 19 grams of fat! It s a meal in a cup, with a ton of added fat and sugar. Then there are the hot chocolates, mulled ciders, and traditional grogs that chase away the winter chill but help you hang on to the pounds. And don t forget about all the themed mixed drinks that make parties a bit more fun while making your waistline a bit more full. So how do you enjoy the fun of the holiday season without having to hide behind bulky sweaters till July? Here are 8 fun drink ideas that are lower in fat, calories, and sugar than their original versions.

2 1. Skinny Pumpkin Pie Martini. Yield: 2 servings Ingredients 4 fl. oz. vanilla vodka 1 Tbsp. raw honey ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk ¼ cup pumpkin puree ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1. Place vodka, honey, almond milk, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously for at least 10 seconds, or until puree is completely dissolved. 2. Strain evenly into two martini glasses; serve immediately. 2. Grog Yield: 2 servings 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice Lemon peel (from half a lemon) Orange peel (from half an orange) 1 Tbsp. raw honey 2 whole cloves (or 1 dash ground cloves) 4 fl. oz. rum 1. Place lemon juice, lemon peel, orange peel, honey, cloves, cinnamon, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Remove from heat. 2. Add rum; mix well. 3. Strain evenly into two mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks if desired.

3 3. Gingerbread Toddy. Yield: 2 servings 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. blackstrap molasses (or molasses) ¼ tsp. ground ginger 1 dash ground cloves 4 fl. oz. brandy 1. Place water, lemon juice, molasses, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. 2. Add brandy; mix well. 3. Strain evenly into two mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks if desired. 4. Holiday Hot Chocolate. Yield: 2 servings 2 cups unsweetened almond milk 4 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp. coconut sugar (or raw honey) 4 fl. oz. peppermint schnapps 1. Place almond milk, cocoa powder, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. 2. Add peppermint schnapps; mix well. 3. Strain evenly into two mugs. Garnish with mint leaves if desired.

4 5. Skinny Peppermint Martini. Yield: 2 servings 1 fl. oz. vanilla vodka 2 tsp. raw honey 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk 1 fl. oz. peppermint schnapps 1. Place vodka, honey, almond milk, and peppermint schnapps in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously for at least 10 seconds, or until well mixed. 2. Strain evenly into two martini glasses. Garnish with mint leaves if desired; serve immediately 6. Mulled Apple Cider. Yield: 2 servings Orange peel (from half an orange) 4 whole cloves (or 1 dash ground cloves) 1 thin slice fresh ginger 1 cup unsweetened apple cider (or unsweetened apple juice) 2 fl. oz. brandy 1. Place water, orange peel, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. 2. Add apple cider; cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until hot. Remove from heat. 3. Add brandy; mix well. 4. Strain evenly into two mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks if desired.

5 7. Blitzen s Bliss. Yield: 2 servings ½ cup water 1 cup pomegranate juice 1 fl. oz. vodka 2 tsp. raw honey Pomegranate seeds (for garnish; optional) 1. Place water, pomegranate juice, vodka, and honey in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously for at least 10 seconds, or until well mixed. 2. Strain evenly into two martini glasses. Garnish with mint leaves and pomegranate if desired; serve immediately. 8. Santa s Winter Sangria. Yield: 10 servings, 4 oz. each 1 cup fresh satsuma orange juice (about 4 satsumas) 1 (750-ml) bottle fruity red wine 3 fl. oz. Triple Sec (orange-flavored liqueur) 3 Tbsp. raw honey 2 whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick 1 medium lemon, cut into 8 wedges 1 medium lime, cut into 8 wedges 1 cup satsuma orange sections (about 2 satsumas) 1. Combine orange juice, wine, Triple Sec, honey, cloves, cinnamon, lemon, lime, and orange sections in a large pitcher; mix well. 2. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours (or overnight). Tips: If you can t find Satsuma oranges, you can use Valencia or navel oranges. So if you d like to have a cup of cheer this holiday season, at least now you can enjoy it without having to wear your baggy Santa outfit for the entire month of January. Happy holidays!