Holiday parties are filled with food and alcohol. We often focus on eating healthier – but what about drinking? Is it possible to drink healthy cocktails?
How can you enjoy alcohol with health in mind?
The CDC defines moderate drinking meaning limiting intake of alcohol to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women. This is not due to body size but the variance between sexes in how alcohol is metabolized. One drink would be 1.5 ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirit. When it comes to alcohol, and food for that matter, be sure to choose something that is delicious and satisfying so that it can be included as part of your lifestyle, if you so choose, and enjoy responsibly!
Following are a few holiday cocktail ideas (and in some cases related mocktails) for you to try during the holiday season.
Pomsettia – Skinny Vodka Cocktail
Ingredients
- 5 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces 100% pomegranate juice
- 3 ounces club soda
- 4 ice cubes
- 4 mint leaves
- 2 teaspoons pomegranate arils
Directions
- In a cocktail shaker (or a mason jar with a lid), mix vodka, pomegranate juice, and club soda with ice.
- In the bottom of a festive glass, muddle 3 mint leaves with 1 teaspoon pomegranate arils.
- Strain Pomsettia mixture into the glass and garnish with a mint leaf and pomegranate arils, if desired.
Option:
- Vodka: If you’re not a vodka person but want to make this a cocktail, try gin!
- Sparkling water/club soda: Flavored sparkling waters, like a cranberry or cherry, are BIG hits with the mocktail version in my house.
Mocktail version
Ingredients
- 2 ounces 100% pomegranate juice
- 5 ounces club soda (or sparkling water)
- 4 ice cubes
- 4 mint leaves
- 2 teaspoons pomegranate arils
Directions
– same as above
Cocktail # 2
Pumpkin Spice Hot Buttered Rum
This Pumpkin Spice Buttered Rum reminds us why the flavor is just so darn good. Plus, you get that buttery taste without the calories and fat of a normal buttered rum recipe.
Ingredients (makes 4 servings)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 2 cups rum
- 2 tablespoon softened butter
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey
Directions
- Pour the water, cider, and rum into a kettle or saucepan and bring to a boil.
- While your brew is brewing, combine butter, pumpkin spice seasoning, vanilla extract, and honey in a small bowl.
- Divide the brew and the butter into 4 cups.
- Add cinnamon stick and serve.
