7 Low-Calorie Cocktails to Enjoy This Holiday Season ...

Die-hard egg nog fans are probably staring at their computer screens gog-eyed; how dare I suggest an alternative to their favorite holiday cocktail? The fact is, egg nog is the opposite of a low-calorie cocktail, with 250 calories, nearly 70 of them from fat, and most of that saturated fat! Instead of traditional spiked egg nog, why not try a creamy, lush coconut nog? It contains less than 100 calories, and only 3 grams of fat.

A hot toddy isn’t just for soothing sore throats — it’s also one of my favorite low-calorie cocktails for the holidays! It’s festive and sweet, and comes in at only 110 calories, with absolutely no fat. Pour hot water into a mug, add your favorite black tea, and once it’s done steeping, remove the bag and add a half-shot of whiskey, a tablespoon and a half of honey, and a few drops of lemon juice. If you want to be extra-festive, garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Okay, technically champagne isn’t a cocktail, but it’s low in calories (less than 100 calories per flute), and it’s so celebratory! One small glass of champagne for a New Year’s Eve toast is the perfect way to celebrate in moderation.

Most experts agree: red wine can be healthy if enjoyed in moderation, so it’s one of my all-time favorite low-calorie cocktails! I warm the red wine in a pot, then add a little mulling spices (the same ones I use in cider) to taste. One 8-ounce glass contains about 120 calories.

If you’re hankering for a dirty martini (loaded with sodium) or a Cosmopolitan (so many calories!), opt for this bright green low-calorie cocktail instead. Make it with 2.5 ounces of sour mix, ¾ ounce of vodka, and ¾ ounce of sour apple liquor. Garnish with a sliced apple, and indulge, slightly, with only 160 calories.

This is my favorite low-calorie cocktail for enjoying at Thanksgiving. It’s so pretty, and so delicious! I make it in a pitcher so I can share… with only 150 calories in each cocktail, everyone will want some! You’ll need 1½ cups each pomegranate and grapefruit juice and another 1½ cup of ice. Blend together for about 45 seconds, until it’s like a frothy pink smoothie, then add ¾ cup of Campari and stir well. Serve in a wine glass over crushed ice and garnish with an orange slice.

I know margaritas are more of a summer drink, but some of my friends love them all year round. That’s why I chased down a low-calorie alternative, what Fitness Magazine calls a “salty Chihuahua.” Simply coat the rim of a glass with coarse salt, fill with ice, then pour in an ounce of tequila, a half-ounce of Cointreau, and ¾ of an ounce of pink grapefruit juice. This low-calorie cocktail contains about 190 calories, as opposed to the 300 or more calories in a traditional margarita.

With so many delicious low-calorie cocktails to enjoy this holiday season, the only real difficulty will be choosing which one to drink… or two… but no more than that! You don’t want a hang-over, do you? Which of these low-calorie cocktails sounds the yummiest to you? Or do you have another low-calorie cocktail you love more? Please share!