By Becca Newell
Getting into the holiday spirit can often require a few, well, spirits. And while some of those cocktails—we’re looking at you, Chocotini—are more indulgent in the calorie department than we’d like to believe, there are a few festive favorites that are better for the waistline, yet equally delicious. Read on, and raise a glass to guilt-free cele ations!
Festive Gin Fizz
- 6 ounces club soda
- 1 small lemon, juiced, plus lemon slice for garnish
- 2 sprigs rosemary, plus extra for garnish
- 15 fresh cranberries
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 3 ounces gin
Serves 2
Muddle rosemary and cranberries in a cocktail shaker. Mix in lemon juice and honey. Shake and pour into two glasses. Add ice and gin to glasses. Top with club soda and garnish with rosemary sprig and lemon slice.
Spiked Mulled Cider
- 4 cups apple cider
- 1 orange, sliced thinly, plus more for garnish
- 4 cinnamon sticks (about 6 inches long), plus extra for garnish
- 1 lemon, zested
- 8 whole cloves
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 cup dark rum
Serves 4-6
Combine apple cider, cloves, and cinnamon sticks in a large pot and cover, inging to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and add orange slices, lemon zest, and pinch of nutmeg. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Strain cider. Split rum between glasses and top off with cider. Garnish with cinnamon stick and orange slice.
Dark & Stormy
- 5 ounces ginger beer
- 1 1/2 ounces dark spiced rum
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus lime
- slice for garnish
Serves 1
Stir ginger beer, rum, and lime juice in a mixing glass and pour over ice in glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Eggnog
A lighter take on the Christmas classic!
- 2 cups liquid egg whites
- 3 cups low-fat milk, almond milk, or soy milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup bourbon or rum
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus extra for garnish
Serves 2-4
Mix egg whites and sugar in a saucepan. Slowly stir in milk and warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 15-20 minutes, until mixture has thickened slightly. Stir in vanilla and nutmeg. Remove from heat and allow to cool before mixing in liquor. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
