With the holidays now in full swing, you’ve probably been to a party or two or three. Chances are, while you were there, you most likely had a drink or two or three.
Many of us receive numerous invitations this time of year to Holiday Open Houses or Happy Hours that call for a toast. These liquid festivities often cause us to sip and slurp extra calories.
The types of alcohol you consume can also play a role in the number of extra calories. “Spirits are often called hard liquor, and include gin, vodka, rum, whiskey, tequila and brandy. One serving of these are similar at about 97 calories,” according to LiveStrong.com.
If you prefer something a little more decadent and creamy like a liqueur such as Baileys, Kahlua, or Cream de Menthe, be prepared to almost double your caloric intake from alcohol. “These traditionally have the highest calorie and carb count, weighing in at 8 to 24g of carbs and an average of 188 calories per serving,” LiveStrong.com reported.
A favorite liquid treat of the holidays is eggnog. This creamy drinkable dessert consisting of milk, egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon, rum, vanilla and spices is 406 calories according to Fitday.com.
So how about a mocktail? A festive mocktail, that is non-alcoholic and spiked with fresh fruit and other natural ingredients.
At nine months pregnant, I will be drinking no cocktails this holiday season. So, I will accommodate both my designated driver friends and myself with my mocktails.
Here are some of my favorite delicious mocktails that you can make to entertain your guests and your taste buds.
Ginger Jingle
• 3-inch piece of ginger peeled and sliced
• 1 ounce of fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 ounce of fresh squeezed lime juice
• 6 red frozen grapes
• 6 green frozen grapes
• 1 cup of cranberry juice
• 1 cup of sparkling water
• 1 cup of all natural lemon/lime soda
Muddle ginger, lemon and lime juice together in cocktail shaker. Add ice and cranberry juice and shake. Pour into a pitcher then add grapes, followed by sparkling water and soda.
Peppermint Twisted Daiquiri
• 6 mint leaves
• 2 Teaspoons fresh squeezed lime
• 6 cups unsweetened almond milk
Place all ingredients in blender with one cup of ice and puree until smooth. (Serves 6)
Coco Nog
• ½ gallon of unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
• ¼ cup of ice
• 1 Teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon of agave nectar
Mix milk, vanilla agave and ice in blender, pour into glasses and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. (Serves 8)
Choco Toddy
• 1 cup of boiling hot water
• 2 Tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 Tablespoon of natural honey
• 2 Tablespoons of coconut water
Mix cocoa powder into hot water, add honey and stir until dissolved, then add coconut water.
Cherries in the Snow
• ½ cup of bing cherries, pits removed
• 6 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Place all ingredients in blender with one cup of ice and puree until smooth. (Serves 6)
Sources:
“Carbs and Calories in Alcohol – LiveStrong.com.” LiveStrong. Web 15 Dec. 2014.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/115932-carbs-calories-alcohol
“Nutrition Information for Eggnog – Fitday.com.” FITDAY. Web 15 Dec. 2014.
http://www.fitday.com/webfit/nutrition/all_foods/beverages/eggnog_alcoholic.html
Joanne Sgro-Killworth is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist and Publicist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training.
Joanne's fitness plans, recipes and lifestyle advice are available globally on her website http://www.happiwoman.com/ She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her husband and son, where she runs her fitness and publicity business, JSK PR, http://www.jskpr.com/
Reviewed December 15, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith