Healthy Holiday Cocktails

Posted by Healthy Bitch Daily on Dec 20, 2012

Let’s face it: the holidays have become the season of excess. 

Too much food, too much stress, too much family time—and we're not nearly done yet. Thankfully, there's always plethora of booze to guzzle this time of year, making us much less bitchy and way more merry. 

But how can you whip up the most beautiful holiday drinks (without a mixologist in the family to be found) and still make it through the next few weeks without piling on the pounds? Here are some suggestions to simplify at least one part of the holiday planning.

Champagne Cocktail

I know, champagne is pretty perfect straight out of the bottle. But if you're throwing a holiday soiree and want to make all your friends jealous of your amazing hostess skills, jazz up that champagne with some lo-cal tricks. Top a flute of champagne with an ounce of pomegranate juice and a few little arils (did you know that is the proper name for those little ruby red seeds in a pomegranate?) A little flair can turn you into the hostess with the mostest. Another plus? When you're mixing champagne with something, it doesn't need to be the good shit because the flavor gets masked. Save money and buy the cheaper stuff—no one will know. 

Christmas Martini

We all love the Cosmo, thanks to Carrie and her gal pals, but you can take it up another notch while also keeping it skinny. Line the rim of your martini glass with some red candy sugar and drop a few cranberries in the bottom of the glass. Add a shaker full of
chilled vodka and cranberry juice and you have a festive holiday martini.

Spiced Hot Cider

What feels more like winter in a glass than a hot toddy? Instead of all those high-calorie liquors, just heat up some spiced apple cider with a kick of brandy. Bring apple cider, a cinnamon stick and cloves to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add ½ cup
applejack (apple brandy) and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Chocolate Over Ice

White Russians or nog may be calling this time of year, but all that cream will cost you on the scale. Try mixing up some chocolate liqueur with chilled vodka. Pour it over ice in a martini glass and you've got something rich that will definitely get you buzzed. Win-win.

Sparkling Water

Drink one glass of water for every cocktail. It will keep you full and cut down on the calorie consumption. And if you can use a break from all the partying, drink some sparkling water with a few cranberries tossed in. It will look just like a cocktail and will keep your crazy ass crew from peer pressuring you to drink too many on a school night.

What's your favorite holiday cocktail? Tell us in the comments sections below.

Lori Kenyon, Certified Nutrition CoachFormer corporate attorney and master of the loop-hole, in 2010, Lori co-founded the kick-ass raw organic juice company, Ritual Wellness. Lori now spends her time producing a healthy alternative to chemical ridden, nutrient void drinks in the market, and writing  to help educate people about healthy food choices.