Healthified Holiday Cocktails

Ask and you shall receive! It's that time of the year. All of the holiday parties and celebrations which come with all of the holiday treats, including drinks. My biggest advice during the holidays is to always stay active and pick your battles. Do you need to taste test every baked good that your coworker brings into the office? Probably not. Do you need to go hard on the drinks at all of your holiday parties? Probably not, but maybe? Holidays are about celebrating right? So with that said, I've come up with some healthified options for what I deemed to be the most popular holiday cocktails.

1. Almond Nog

I have to give credit to my mom for this idea. This is just your regular spiked eggnog but instead of eggnog, Almond nog! Yes almond nog exists and it tastes just as good if not BETTER than egg nog! Mix 3/4 cup almond nog, a shot of brandy, handful of ice, blend and enjoy!

2. Moscow Mule

Who doesn't love a good Mule in the winter? This recipe is similar to your usual moscow mule but swapping out the ginger beer for diet ginger ale. Mix 1 cup diet ginger ale, 1 shot vodka, 1 oz lime juice, ginger syrup (water, ginger, agave) and muddled mint leaves. For the syrup, you'll want to prepare ahead. Mix 2 cups water, 1/2 cup sliced ginger, and 1/3 cup stevia, heat on high to a boil, let simmer for about 10 mins, then cool for about an hour.

3. Cherry Martini

Since martinis are mainly vodka anyways they are actually one of the "healthier" choices when it comes to cocktails. Give your martini a festive twist with 1.5 oz vodka, 1 oz cherry brandy, lime juice, and frozen cherries. A mock sugar rim can be made with agave or honey and stevia.

4. Skinny Margarita

While most people may think of margaritas as a summer drink, I personally think you can drink a marg at any time of the year! Margaritas are also one of the highest calorie cocktails but with a few substitutes you can still enjoy this cocktail with more than half of the calories and sugar. Sparkling water, lime juice, 1 oz tequila.

5. The Modern Old Fashioned

Whiskey is not the most calorie friendly alcohol but if it's just mixed with water and natural fruit juices it isn't as harmful! Remove the extra sugar by mixing 1.5oz whiskey, juice of an orange, splash of water, serve in cup with handful of ice and garnish with cherry.