If you’re like me, you love a good themed drink. I just don’t want them to ruin my liver and my body. Here are a few easy swaps to help you get your drink on, and know what it will take to burn ‘em off, the Beer Fit Club way this holiday season.
Healthy Holiday Drink Swaps
Look for alcohol with a lower proof.
If you’re into beer…try a seasonal shandy.
If you like liquor… Vermouth makes for great cocktail options.
Are you a wine drinker?… Sparkling wine diluted with fruit (bellini, mimosa and the like) is a lighter option if you have the need to be fancy with your pinky out while you sip.
Avoid the prepackaged stuff and colas like you would that one weird relative who’s constantly asking personal questions. Instead, using real fruit purees, 100% pure juice or seltzer will save you calories while keeping the sweet flavor you’re looking for.
Want to make eye-catching drinks? Freeze cranberries or white grapes and use them to chill your creations.
Add Fresh herbs for tons of flavor without the calories. Mint, cilantro, sage and rosemary pack a punch without anything extra that you don’t need. Need to prep in advance? Freeze them into ice cubes!
Use smaller, sexy glasses. This can help reduce consumption and make you feel festive. Splurge on some nice ones rather than red Solo cups. Your liver and guests will be impressed.
Skip the garnish. If your drink comes with a candy cane or a sugared rim, forgo them if you can. They make that drink look really pretty and that’s about it.
Festive Drink Ideas
Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
1-ounce cranberry juice (sweetened)
1 wedge lime
Champagne, sparkling wine or seltzer
Cranberries (frozen)
In a chilled Champagne flute add cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime. Top off the glass with Champagne. Garnish with 3 or 4 cranberries.
Pro Tip: Not into cranberries? Swap with raspberries, blueberries or both!
Vanilla Dark and Stormy
2 cups dark rum
3 cups ginger beer
Juice of 4 limes
Splash of vanilla extract (not imitation)
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Serve on the rocks with lime wedges.
Pro Tip: Want to kick it up a notch? Replace the vanilla with bitters, another healthy alternative.
Caramel Apple Pie
1-1/2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps
1-1/2 oz. apple cider
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Apple slice for garnish
Crushed graham crackers
Rim the lip of a chilled cocktail glass with crushed graham crackers (optional). Pour all the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into your chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an apple slice.
Pro Tip: You can swap the vodka for tequila, which has fewer calories per ounce.
Countering the Cocktails
Aside from my one drink, two waters rule, it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t give you some additional advice, particularly on what it would take to burn off the extra calories you may have imbibed in.
Thankfully, all of the recipes provided are 250 calories or less per serving. To burn one of these off, try one of these:
Walking 🚶♀️🚶♂️
10,000 steps, roughly 5 miles, would burn off that champagne cocktail. You don’t have to do this all at once, so if you’re like me and have to break up your activity during the day, this is for you. Walking uphill or at a quicker pace will improve your calorie burning power.
Yoga 🧘🏼
Beer Fit Club happens to be great at this! An hour long class that’s guaranteed to make you feel freaking fabulous is a great thing to have in your fitness repertoire.
Dancing 🕺💃
Check out this upcoming class! You could burn the equivalent of two of the previously mentioned drinks while shaking your groove thang. Can’t make it to this class? Throw on your favorite tunes and let loose in your living room.
Housework 🧹
Yes, you can rage clean your house after that holiday party you hosted and burn those extra calories at the same time, a win/win! A don’t forget to challenge yourself going up and down the stairs, if you have access to them.
Well there you have it folks, easy drink recipes and ways to incorporate them into your lifestyle in a healthy way.
Cheers!
