dec2015

HOLIDAY
’ T alcohol, adding an abundance of hidden calories to
is the season of over-indulgence. As calendars fill up
with holiday parties, many people consume more
their diets. A typical serving of spiked eggnog contains about
400 calories and 13 grams of fat, while multi-alcohol-infused
cocktails, like Candy Cane Martinis and White Russians
made with cream, vodka, and flavored liqueurs, can easily
surpass 500 calories per drink.
Wiser choices don’t have to be boring. No one likes feeling
deprived during the holidays, so here are some festive alternatives
that are high on taste and style, with only a fraction
of the calories. Presentation goes a long way, so be sure
to serve holiday beverages in pretty glasses with festive garnishes.
Your party guests will be delighted, and won’t even
miss the unhealthy, calorie-laden drinks. Cheers!
Merry
Mixology
Festive Low-Calorie Cocktails
By Kristina Miranda
PEAR AND CRANBERRY BELLINI
1 cup chilled pear nectar
1 cup light cranberry juice
1 bottle prosecco or other
dry sparkling white wine
Fresh cranberries or
pear garnish
Directions: In a small
pitcher, combine pear
nectar and cranberry
juice. Pour 1/4 cup juice
mixture into eight champagne
glasses. Top with
prosecco or another dry sparkling white wine. Garnish with a
pear slice or a spear of blanched, fresh cranberries. Calories:
Approximately 105 calories per serving.
WINTER WHITE SANGRIA
12 oz. mango juice
12 oz. pear or pineapple juice
1 liter bottle of seltzer
1 bottle of Chardonnay or other white wine
ice
White and green fruit of your choice such as grapes, honeydew,
or green apples. Tip: Go for an elegant, all-white look,
or add a festive touch of red by including raspberries, cherries,
or fresh cranberries.
Directions: Slice fruit into small and medium-sized pieces.
Pour all ingredients into a glass pitcher, stir, and refrigerate.
Add ice and stir again before serving. Makes ten, eight-ounce
servings. Calories: 94 per serving. (Calorie count varies based
on fruit used.)
FRESH GINGER
SAKETINI
2 tablespoons minced
peeled fresh ginger
2 cups sake (rice wine)
1 1 /2 cups chilled ginger ale
8 strips lemon twists
8 (1/4-ounce) strips
crystallized ginger
Directions: Add ginger to
bottled sake and refrigerate overnight. Fill a martini shaker
halfway with ice, add 1 cup ginger-infused sake and shake
until well chilled. Strain into 4 martini glasses and stir in 3
tablespoons of ginger ale per glass. Garnish with a lemon
twist and a strip of crystallized ginger. Approximately 147
calories per serving.
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DECEMBER 2015