7 Healthier Versions Of Your Favorite Holiday Cocktails

Grown Up Hot Chocolate

Tis the season to be jolly. FA LA LA LA LA…

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with some spirited and festive cocktails? Each of these can be made sans alcohol, but if you are interested in ways to indulge and take the edge off of 2020, look no further.

I have created some healthy holiday cocktails sure to be a hit whether you’re enjoying a nice evening by the fire with a good book or movie, or surrounded by less than 10 of your friends and family (while maintaining social distancing, of course).

7 Healthy Holiday Cocktails Recipes

1. Hot Buttered Rum (Keto-Friendly)

Hot Buttered Rum

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water
  • ¼ cup grass-fed butter
  • ¼ cup monk fruit
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp cloves
  • 1 cup spiced rum

Directions:

  1. Whisk water, butter, sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to a simmer for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.
  3. Mix in spiced rum.
  4. Enjoy!

Chef Note: You could substitute one or both cups of water for coconut milk. It definitely adds to the flavor and provides a creamier consistency (think eggnog).

Chef Note: You could also add in a dash of sea salt, which really kicks up the flavor a notch.

Chef Note: A little cloves go a long way. If you are not a huge fan of this flavor, it is just as delish without.

Nutrition Information:
Yields 8 servings

  • Calories: 112
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Carbs: 6.6 g
  • Fiber: 0.2 g
  • Protein: 0 g

2. Mulled Cider (aka Spiked Apple Cider)

Healthier Holiday Cocktails

Ingredients:

  • 1 gallon unfiltered apple juice or apple cider
  • 1 large orange, cut into ¼-inch slices
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 star anise
  • 1 Tbsp whole cloves
  • 1 Tbsp whole allspice
  • 1-inch ginger root, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups spiced rum

Directions:

  1. Bring apple juice, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, whole allspice, and ginger root to a boil on the stovetop.
  2. Reduce to simmer for 2 – 3 hours.
  3. Add rum to the mixture.
  4. Remove fruit and spices from the pot.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Chef Note: This is a lovely recipe to have simmering in a crockpot/slow cooker as it makes the entire house smell like the holidays.

Nutrition Information:
Yields 21 servings

  • Calories: 129
  • Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbs: 24 g
  • Fiber: 0.6 g
  • Protein: 0.3 g

3. Cider Mule

Holiday Cocktails

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 2 oz apple cider
  • 1 small lime wedge, juiced
  • Ginger beer, to taste

Directions:

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Add vodka, apple cider, and lime juice.
  3. Sprinkle cinnamon over the ice, and top off with ginger beer.
  4. Stir well and enjoy!

Chef Note: I wanted to make a cider-ish beverage that wasn’t served hot for those who enjoy the flavor of a spiked cider but prefer it over ice.

Chef Note: I would serve this in a copper mug (if I had one), but a mason jar works, too. (Hope Santa is listening—hint hint.)

Nutrition Information:
Yields 1 serving

  • Calories: 217
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbs: 20 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g

4. Light Russian (Keto-Friendly White Russian)

Keto Friendly White Russian

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz heavy cream
  • 1 ½ oz vodka
  • 1 Tbsp coffee, cold brew
  • 1 Tbsp water
  • 1 tsp Swerve

Directions:

  1. Combine vodka, cold brew, water, and swerve in a glass.
  2. Add ice and pour heavy cream over the top.
  3. Enjoy!

Chef Note: If you are looking to save on some of those calories from fat, you could also substitute the heavy cream for almond milk. If you go this route, perhaps a teaspoon of cocoa powder would help to thicken things up a bit.

Nutrition Information (made with cream):
Yields 1 serving

  • Calories: 406
  • Fat: 33 g
  • Carbs: 7 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g

Nutrition Information (made with almond milk):
Yields 1 serving

  • Calories: 109
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Carbs: 5 g
  • Fiber: 0.4 g
  • Protein: 0.5 g

5. Rosemary Gin Fizz

Healthy Festive Cocktails

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz gin
  • 3 oz club soda
  • ½ tsp honey
  • 3 sprigs rosemary
  • 1 lemon, juiced

Directions:

  1. Fill a glass with ice, then add gin and club soda.
  2. Muddle rosemary, lemon juice, and honey.
  3. Add to glass and give a quick stir.
  4. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:
Yields 1 servings

  • Calories: 151
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbs: 13 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 1 g

6. Grown Up Hot Chocolate

Grown Up Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 ½ cups almond milk
  • 1/3 cup dark chocolate chunks

Directions:

  1. Combine milk and chocolate chips over medium heat.
  2. Whisk until chocolate is melted into milk.
  3. Add red wine and heat until everything is hot.
  4. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:
Yields 2 servings

  • Calories: 305
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Carbs: 28 g
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Protein: 3.5 g

7. Cranberry Pomegranate Cocktail

Pomegranate Cocktail


Ingredients:

  • 6 pomegranate seeds
  • 4 ounces of champagne
  • 1 oz cranberry juice

Directions:

  1. Place pomegranate seeds on the bottom of a champagne glass.
  2. Add champagne and then add cranberry juice.
  3. Enjoy!

Chef Note: You could use a cranberry-flavored seltzer if you are looking to cut the calories a tad more. It is super bubbly, so beware when pouring. 😉

Nutrition Information:
Yields 1 servings

  • Calories: 136
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbs: 12 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 0 g

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Cristina is a Metabolic Effect L3 Nutrition Consultant and a Precision Nutrition L2 Nutrition Coach. Cristina's passion is to help others discover how great their bodies are meant to feel. Whether you're looking to improve your diet, increase energy levels, manage stress, or simply lead a more balanced life, Cristina provides the guidance, support, and tools necessary to make lasting changes. When she isn’t in the kitchen creating nutritious and delicious recipes, or leading one of our Shape-Up Challenges, Cristina enjoys soaking up the sun on the coast of the Carolinas while raising her two amazing daughters, who are active in soccer and volleyball. Cristina is a firm believer that the most effective way to teach children is through our own actions, which is the driving force behind always seeking new ways to enhance personal health and well-being.

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