Healthy holiday drinks are a godsend if you're trying to watch your calorie intake. Whether you love a fancy cocktail or appreciate a piping hot mug of tea, there are certainly many holiday drinks that can lead to weight gain if you consume them too often. Try this arsenal of healthy holiday drinks to order at a bar, coffee shop, or make for yourself. This way, you can still participate in the holiday season without deterring from your plans to stay healthy and fit!
1 Almond Milk Hot Chocolate
Traditional milk hot chocolate can be loaded with fat and excess sugar. Instead of ordering a fancy drink like this from a local coffee shop, why not make your own using a cow milk substitute? Almond, rice, coconut, or any other milk substitute you have on hand will work. Use raw cacao powder instead of chocolate and stevia instead of sugar for one of the easiest healthy holiday drinks.
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Almond milk hot chocolate is a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional hot chocolate. It is a great option for those looking to limit their fat and sugar intake during the holidays. This recipe is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients: almond milk, raw cacao powder, and stevia. Making your own almond milk hot chocolate is much cheaper than ordering it from a coffee shop, and you can adjust the sweetness and flavor to your liking. Enjoy this healthy holiday drink that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth without packing on the pounds.
Frequently asked questions
2 Green Tea Hot Toddy
A hot toddy is a classic fall and winter drink, and it definitely surfaces as a trendy drink during the holiday season. Traditionally, a hot toddy is made with hot water, whiskey, lemon, and sugar. But you can make your own, healthier version by using green tea as a base! Make sure to add lots of fresh lemon for vitamin C. Also use stevia or raw honey instead of sugar.
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This Green Tea Hot Toddy is a great alternative to the classic hot toddy recipe. It's a healthier option as it uses green tea instead of hot water and stevia or raw honey instead of sugar. The lemon provides added vitamin C. This hot toddy is a great way to enjoy a warm, comforting drink during the holiday season without worrying about the extra calories. Plus, you can make it with your favorite green tea flavor for a festive twist. Enjoy this drink with friends and family for a cozy night in!
3 Mulled Wine
Mulled wine might not be something very well known in the United States, but in Europe and other cultures it’s a traditional holiday drink. Basically, red wine is slowly warmed with a series of spices like fresh cinnamon sticks, cloves, even orange and lemon peel. There are about a million recipes online for mulled wine. Moreover, compared to other high-sugar alcoholic beverages, mulled wine is pretty low in sugar, making it a much healthier holiday drink.
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Mulled wine is a great way to enjoy the holiday season without worrying about packing on extra pounds. It's a low-sugar alcoholic beverage that is made by slowly heating red wine with a variety of spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange and lemon peel. It is a traditional holiday drink in many parts of Europe, and there are numerous recipes online to make it. Mulled wine is a great alternative to other high-sugar alcoholic beverages, and it can be enjoyed hot or cold. Whether you're hosting a holiday gathering or just looking for a festive drink for yourself, mulled wine is a great choice.
4 Whiskey Served Neat
Have you ever seen someone order a drink ‘neat’ and wonder what it meant? Neat basically means the drink is served like a shot with no mixer or ice. Ordering a classic holiday liquor like whisky neat is a great way to keep the sugar content down. Even if you’re not a hard liquor fan, you’ll feel super neat when you order your drink this way!
5 Club Soda with a Splash of Cranberry
Not every holiday drink needs to be loaded with alcohol! Sometimes, you might want an alcohol-free beverage that’s still festive and refreshing. Club soda and cranberry juice is a fantastic choice. Cranberry is definitely a holiday flavor that everyone loves so even if you’re not a huge fan of alcohol, you can still feel like you’re enjoying a sumptuous treat!
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This Club Soda with a Splash of Cranberry is a perfect holiday drink for those who don't want to consume alcohol. The combination of cranberry juice and club soda is not only festive and refreshing, but also healthy and low in calories. Cranberry juice is packed with antioxidants and vitamins, while club soda is a calorie-free alternative to sugary sodas. This drink is also a great source of hydration for those who want to stay healthy during the holidays. Enjoy this drink as a guilt-free way to get into the holiday spirit.
6 DIY Latte
The lattes you get at coffee shops are loaded with unneeded calories, sugar, and fat. Save your money and make your own latte at home. Even if you don’t have an espresso machine, you could still use coffee (although then technically, it wouldn’t be a latte). The key to making latte-inspired drinks is warming up the milk slightly so the drink doesn’t get too cold too soon. Make your own latte this way and you won’t even miss that daily trip to your barista.
7 Green Juice or Smoothie
Okay, so this last one technically isn’t a holiday drink. But with all the cookies, cakes, cheese puffs, and other unhealthy holiday crap you’re probably eating this year, almost everyone could use a detoxifying drink in their regimen. Try a green juice or smoothie when you’re short on time in the morning and don’t have time to sit down and eat a real breakfast. The smoothie will instantly fill you up and give you enough energy to tackle the day.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the holidays and still be healthy, especially with this drink list. What are some of your favorite healthy holiday drinks?
