’Tis the season to spread the “Cheers!” While many yuletide adult beverages are packed with sugar, fat and calories, they aren’t the only option—and neither is waking up the next day feeling guilty about compromising your diet. From spiced cider made with zero-calorie sparkling water to 100 percent homemade vegan eggnog, LivingHealthy has sourced 10 wonderful winter cocktail recipes to get you singing “fa-la-la-la-la” this holiday season.
10 Fabulously Festive, Healthier Holiday Cocktails
Christmas Cocktail
Have a very “berry” bubbly holiday season with this festive and fruity champagne cocktail.
Key ingredients: Brandy, cranberry juice, champagne, raspberries.
Why you won’t feel guilty: If you stick with 100 percent real cranberry juice instead of a sugary cranberry juice cocktail, you’ll be drinking up a major dose of vitamin C without a whole lot of sugar.
Photo: ahealthylifeforme.com/Pinterest
LaCroix Spiced Cider
This spicy holiday drink is the perfect crowd pleaser, and you can serve this sparkling cider to your entire party since it can also be made into a mocktail.
Key ingredients: LaCroix Cúrate Pomme Bayá, Lime LaCroix Sparkling Water, splash of apple cider, tequila (optional).
Why you won’t feel guilty: Made with 100 percent natural sparkling water, this drink contains almost no calories but still packs a punch.
Photo: Courtesy LaCroix
Cinnamon Maple Bourbon Sour
A must-try for bourbon lovers, this warm holiday drink will keep you toasty all night long and have you singing carols in no time.
Key ingredients: Maple syrup, cinnamon stick, bourbon, lemon juice.
Why you won’t feel guilty: Crafted for paleo dieters, this drink is made from natural, unprocessed ingredients (well, other than the bourbon—but it’s the holidays, so you can cheat just a little!).
Photo: soletshangout.com/Pinterest
The Best Vegan Eggnog
What’s a holiday party without a warm cup of eggnog—let alone homemade eggnog?
Key ingredients: Raw cashews, water, coconut milk, Medjool dates, Kahlua or vanilla extract, spiced rum (optional), kosher salt, nutmeg.
Why you won’t feel guilty: With no sugar added, this delicious version of traditional eggnog is vegan and can be made with or without booze.
Photo: produceonparade.com/Pinterest
Apple Cider Hot Toddy
This classic wintery beverage is perfect for sipping in front of the fire on a cold, snowy night.
Key ingredients: Apple cider, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, honey, honey whiskey, lemon juice.
Why you won’t feel guilty: If you didn’t already know, whiskey is known to be one of the healthiest liquors you can drink, with benefits ranging from weight control to boosted immunity.
Photo: thelittleepicurean.com/Pinterest
Christmas Sangria
Sangria isn’t just a summer drink! Add cranberries and rosemary to turn this celebratory cocktail into a winter party staple.
Key ingredients: Pinot Grigio, sparkling apple cider, sugar, cranberries, Granny Smith apple, rosemary.
Why you won’t feel guilty: Wine isn’t exactly low in calories, but it does offer a healthy dose of antioxidants. Cranberries add even more nutrition with its high vitamin C content.
Photo: cakenknife.com/Pinterest
Rosemary Infused Holiday Cocktail
If you have any leftover rosemary, use it to concoct your own simple syrup and make this festive bubbly for your friends and family.
Key ingredients: Rosemary simple syrup, cranberry grape juice, Prosecco, vodka.
Why you won’t feel guilty: Cranberry grape juice provides some vitamin C, while Prosecco only contains 80 calories per four-ounce serving.
Photo: theflairexchange.com/Pinterest
Cranberry Punch
This simple-to-make holiday punch can be crafted into both kid-friendly and adult versions.
Key ingredients: Ginger ale, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, cranberries, orange, lemon, lime, Prosecco (optional).
Why you won’t feel guilty: Talk about an immunity booster! Pineapple juice, cranberries, orange, lemon and lime are all packed with vitamin C goodness.
Photo: damndelicious.net/Pinterest
Low Carb Peppermint Mocha Martini
Coffee-based cocktails can often be high in calories and carbs, but not this delicious peppermint mocha.
Key ingredients: Chocolate vodka (such as Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate), low-carb peppermint simple syrup (water, stevia, peppermint extract), black coffee, whole milk.
Why you won’t feel guilty: Bursting with flavor, this entire drink contains just 1 gram of carbohydrates.
Photo: lowcarbhighparty.com/Pinterest
Pomegranate Moscow Mule
Lime, ginger and pomegranate flavors come together in this fruity fizzer.
Key ingredients: Vodka, pomegranate juice, lime juice, ginger beer.
Why you won’t feel guilty: Pomegranate juice is filled with antioxidants and potassium, while a quality ginger beer (made with real ginger root) offers nausea-relieving and anti-inflammatory benefits—both of which could come in quite handy the morning after a night of celebration.
Photo: 33shadesofgreen.com/bloglovin/Pinterest
10 Fabulously Festive, Healthier Holiday Cocktails
September 28, 2017Recommended for you
Loading, please wait...
Posted on 7:00 am PDT September 28 2017 by Leah Ornstein Groth
Photo: Shutterstock
Featured Stories / Diet & Food