Cheers! Here's to Healthier Cocktails for the Holidays

Cheers to these great recipes for healthy holiday cocktails and tips on how to lighten up your favorite drinks!

Related To:

Cocktails

486044175

Cocktail hour

It's holiday time, and chances are, cocktails are flowing. If you're not careful, one festive drink can tip the scales at over 400 calories. If you choose to kick back over several, you’ll be gulping more than half your recommended calories for the day (not to mention the bad hangover)! There are ways to slim down your favorite holiday cocktails – here are simple tricks to do so.

5 Ways to Slim Your Cocktail
  • Look for liquor with a lower proof (alcoholic strength). It has fewer calories per fluid ounce.
  • Use smaller glasses for your cocktails to trim portions.
  • Create drinks without prepackaged mixers, which add a boatload of extra calories from sugar. Instead, mix alcohol with seltzer or splash of 100 percent fruit juice.
  • Measure how much you pour by using a shot glass or jigger. Aim for 1 shot of alcohol per drink.
  • Add sliced fruit (like lemons and oranges), or muddle fresh berries or fresh herbs (like mint, cilantro or rosemary) to punch up the flavor while adding few calories.
5 Cocktails for 250 Calories or Less

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Brian Kennedy , 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Enjoy Tyler's delicious cocktail made from four ingredients. Each glass has fewer than 250 calories.

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Brian Kennedy , 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Ginger Snap

Warming winter flavors like cloves, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg jazz up this cocktail.

Photo by: Stephen Murello

Stephen Murello

With a combo of vodka, butterscotch schnapps, apple cider and lemon juice, and a garnish of crushed graham crackers and an apple slice, this cocktail is sure to be the buzz of any holiday party!

Food Stylist: Susan Spungen
Prop Stylist: Pamela Duncan Silver

03_OrchardBrunch_CiderJackRose_014.tif

Food Stylist: Susan Spungen Prop Stylist: Pamela Duncan Silver

Photo by: Con Poulos ©Con Poulos

Con Poulos , Con Poulos

Cider Jack Cocktails

Spiked cider is always a hit at any holiday shindig.

10_DarkStormy_016.tif

Combine dark rum with ginger beer, then add a splash of lime and vanilla extract for that extra-special zing.

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. She is the author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen: More Than 130 Delicious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Day.

Next Up

How to Handle Gut Issues at the Holidays

GI experts offer their tips for managing digestive distress at the holidays.

How to Make the Perfect Butter Board for the Holidays

Butter boards have gone viral because of their novelty and shock value. But they’re actually really delicious and easier to prepare than other boards. Here’s how I make mine.

3 Classic Holiday Roasts with Sides to Match

Choose the star of your menu — beef, turkey or ham — then plan your feast!

The 7 Worst Calorie Offenders at Your Christmas Table

Avoid these high-calorie dishes at your Christmas dinner table.

6 Must-Do Tasks for Surviving Holiday Party Season

There's no reason the most wonderful time of the year should leave you burned out.

How to Make a Giant Chocolate Bunny Cake for Easter

Every bunny will love this jumbo springtime treat!

Picnic Picks for Dad's Special Day

Put a spin on timeless, picnic-ready recipes that Dad is sure to love.

Sunny Anderson's Tribute To B. Smith

The late chef and TV star was a hero to Sunny and so many others.

A Complete Christmas Dinner Menu Full of the Fastest Recipes Around

Check out this at-the-ready menu of all-star dishes that will wow your guests this holiday season.