3 Guilt Free Holiday Drinks
Christmas week is finally here (!!!) …Chestnuts are roasting on the open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose & all of that other good stuff. 🙂 Today I have decided to share with you 3 delicious and healthy alternatives to the traditional holiday drinks.
Hot Apple Cider
Enjoy this apple cider spiked with rum for extra warmth or alcohol-free. Without the booze, it’s only 130 calories a serving and the perfect way to warm up a cool evening.
Ingredients
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5 Cinnamon sticks
1/4 Lemon zest
1/4 Orange zest
3/4 TSP cloves
1/2 TSP allspice
Directions
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Pour 1/2 gallon apple cider into a saucepan.
Add cinnamon sticks, zest of lemon and orange, ground cloves, and ground allspice; bring to a boil.
Cook 5 minutes; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and add 1 1⁄2 cups clear spiced rum. (Makes: 11 servings)
Egg Nog
Enjoy all the spice and creaminess of this traditional drink with none of the guilt. This version contains only 152 calories per serving.
Ingredients
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4 cups 2% milk
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated low-fat milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 large eggs
1/4 cup brandy
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
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Place milk and evaporated milk in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and eggs in a large bowl. Gradually add hot milk to egg mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Return milk mixture to pan; cook over medium-low heat until thick (about 8 minutes), stirring constantly. Pour into a bowl; stir in brandy and vanilla. Press plastic wrap onto surface of eggnog, and chill 8 hours or overnight.
Hot Chocolate
Sweetened with a touch of real sugar or stevia, this cocoa based hot chocolate beats any store bought beverage & you will save a ton of calories.
Ingredients
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1 cup, plus 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 rounded teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon sugar (or sweetener of choice)
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
cinnamon, optional
Directions
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Place milk in a small pot over medium low heat.
Meanwhile, place cocoa powder, sugar, and extra tablespoon of almond milk in a small bowl. Whisk until a paste/thick mixture forms and powder is absorbed. Add additional tablespoon of almond milk, if needed.
Whisk cocoa mixture into milk mixture. Heat till hot but not boiling.
Pour into a mug and sprinkle with cinnamon, if using.
Serve and enjoy once the drink is cool enough to safely drink.
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Resources:
Hot Apple Cider recipe
Hot Apple Cider image
Egg Nog Recipe
Egg Nog image
Hot Chocolate Recipe
Hot Chocolate image