Five Low-Calorie Cocktails to Get You into the Holiday Spirit
It’s the holidays—let’s toast to that! But that cocktail you’re cheers-ing with might make you want to jeer once you realize how many calories it has. You can hardly be blamed for wanting to get into the holiday spirit with a spirit or two (well, probably just one, if you want to stay on the weight loss track), so here’s a helpful guide to drinking without dumping a ton of extra weight on your derriere. Everything below is less than 175 calories:
Chocolate Martini (from Women’s Health)
Like that classic staple of hot cocoa—only better—the chocolate martini is an indulgence. It’s not as bad as you might think, though, weighing in at 167 calories.
1 1/2 ounces chilled vodka
1/2 ounce chocolate liqueur
Dark chocolate for garnish
Combine the vodka, chocolate liqueur and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Shake or stir to mix. Strain into a martini glass and grate some dark chocolate over the top. Makes 1 serving.
Pomegranate Champagne Punch (from EatingWell)
At 128 calories, this pretty punch is a sweet way to infuse a little Christmas red into any holiday party.
2 cups champagne
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 cup seltzer
1/2 cup citrus vodka
Lemon twists for garnish
Combine champagne, pomegranate juice, seltzer and vodka in a large bowl or pitcher. Serve over ice with a twist of lemon. Makes 6 servings.
Spiked Eggnog (from WebMD)
If you want to enjoy eggnog, you’re going to have to make some serious changes—but it does only come around once a year, so if it’s not the holiday season without a glass, here’s a way to partake for about 140 calories.
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half
1/2 cup pasteurized egg substitute
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 packet artificial sweetener
1/4 cup brandy or rum
Nutmeg for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a shaker or blender, or whisk to blend. Serve cold or over ice and garnish with nutmeg. Makes 4 servings.
Candy Cane Fizz-tini (from Shape)
With a minty taste, fun name and super-cute garnish, this 152-calorie bubbly beverage will put you in the mood to deck the halls.
1 ounce DeKuyper Peppermint Schnapps
1 ounce Three Olives Vanilla Vodka
3 ounces Polar Candy Cane Seltzer
Crushed candy cane for garnish
Wet rim of martini glass with peppermint schnapps and dip into crushed candy cane. Combine schnapps and vodka in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, strain into martini glass. Top with Polar Candy Cane Seltzer, taking care not to bruise the bubbles. Makes 1 serving.
Healthy Hot Toddy (from FitSugar.com)
When the weather outside is frightful, curl up with this delightful drink, a spiced concoction of 154 calories that may even kick colds to the curb.
1 1/2 ounces of brandy, scotch or bourbon
7 ounces hot water
3/4 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 star anise, cinnamon stick, or 3 to 5 cloves
1 to 2 thin slices of lemon for garnish
In a heat-proof glass, stir together bourbon, hot water, honey, lemon juice and spices. Garnish with lemon slices. Makes 1 serving.
No Comments