The holidays are filled with festive drinks and foods throughout parties, family gatherings, and other social events. Just because you’re trying to stick to your health goals, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the seasonal tastes that Christmas brings! Check out Joy Bauer’s 6 Low Calorie Holiday Drinks recipes below! Originally published on JoyBauer.com.
1. Slim Style Eggnog
An 8-ounce glass of eggnog made with a “triple threat” ingredient list of cream, whole milk, and egg yolks, will cost you a shocking 350 to 450 calories — and overload your system with 12 grams of saturated fat and more than 14 teaspoons of sugar. My slim-style version satisfies your holiday hankering for half the calories and sugar — and a fraction of the fat.
Combine 5 cups cold 1% milk, 1 (3.4 oz) package vanilla instant pudding mix, 3/4 teaspoon rum extract, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg in a blender; pour into a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow the eggnog to set up. When you’re ready to serve, pour into glasses and sprinkle on a little extra nutmeg. Makes 5 (1 cup) servings. 175 calories per serving.
2. Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Get cozy on the couch with this lightened-up take on this holiday classic. It has half the calories of coffee shop hot cocoa, but tastes every bit as rich and chocolaty.
Heat 3 cups skim milk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until the milk is hot and starting to steam. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in 4 teaspoons sugar, 1/4 teaspoon each peppermint and vanilla extracts, a pinch of kosher salt, and 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips. Continue to whisk until the chocolate is completely melted. Pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream if desired. Makes 3 (1 cup) servings. 175 calories per serving.
3. Holiday Chaos Calmer
Soothe away holiday stress with this relaxing brew. The active ingredient is chamomile tea, which acts as a mild sedative that may help ease anxiety. Blending the fragrant tea with sweet apple cider and cozy cinnamon creates a comforting drink that feels like a warm hug on chilly winter evenings.
Combine 1/2 cup cider and 1/2 cup water in a mug and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes, or until boiling. Add one chamomile tea bag, one strip of lemon peel, one cinnamon stick, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and cinnamon stick, take your first sip…and breathe a sigh of relief. Makes 1 (1 cup) serving. 60 calories per serving.
4. Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
Get in on the season’s pumpkin craze with this creamy, dreamy smoothie. This drink is packed with filling fiber and protein, making it substantial enough to enjoy as a meal replacement shake for a complete breakfast or lunch. The pumpkin gives the smoothie its festive flair, plus a massive dose of beta carotene, a nutrient that helps keep your skin looking youthful and fresh.
Combine 1 banana, 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup skim milk, 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree, 1 1/2 teaspoons maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 3 to 5 ice cubes in a blender and puree until smooth and frothy. Makes 1 (2.5 cup) serving. 295 calories per serving.
5. Pomegranate Sparkler
Make this year’s New Year’s Eve champagne toast extra special by infusing your bubbly with an antioxidant-rich splash of pomegranate juice. Along with a few health perks, this fruity accent gives the drink a very merry red color and a lovely sweet-tart finish.
To make this chic cocktail, pour 3 ounces sparkling wine into a champagne flute, top it off with an ounce of pomegranate juice, and drop in a few pomegranate arils (the fruit’s seeds) for a fun garnish. Makes 1 (4 ounce) serving. 80 calories per serving.
6. Holiday Sangria
This fruity sangria is a party in a glass! As cocktails go, this one has a lot to offer — the red wine donates heart-healthy antioxidants and the sliced apples, pears, and oranges deliver a respectable dose of powerful produce. Topping off each glass with a generous splash of seltzer dilutes the calories and makes the drink last just a little longer.
Combine 1 bottle of red wine in a pitcher with 3/4 cup 100% orange juice, 1/4 cup orange liqueur, fresh fruit slices (1 orange, 1 green apple, and 1 pear), and a cinnamon stick, and let it sit in the fridge for at least four hours. Pour into glasses and finish with a few ounces of pomegranate, cranberry, or orange seltzer for a fizzy finale. Makes 8 servings. 150 calories per serving.