14 Tasty and Low-Cal Holiday Cocktails

Pour a glass of holiday cheer for you and your friends.

-PJ Gach

Holiday season’s in full swing now. Whether you’re hosting a get together with family and friends or doing a work event, check out these tasty cocktails. Heck, there’s even cocktails under 200 calories!

1. Hot Buttered Rum

3 ounces Ron Abuelo Añejo Rum

1 ounce Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka

2 Tbsp Unsalted butter, softened

2 Tbsp Brown sugar

2 Tbsp Honey

1 tsp Ground cinnamon

.5 tsp Ground cloves

.5 tsp Ground nutmeg

1 cup Hot water, plus more if desired

Directions:

In a mug stir together the butter, brown sugar, honey and spices until they have formed a batter. Add the remaining ingredients and stir vigorously until the batter is fully dissolved. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

2. Pumpkin Pie Martini

3 ounces vanilla vodka

3 ounces crème de cacao liqueur

1-1/2 ounces Seasonal Coffee-mate Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice

Honey

1 graham cracker, crushed (optional)

Directions:

Place graham cracker crumbs in a shallow plate. Lightly rub a small amount of honey around rim of glasses. Invert glasses into crumbs; gently twist so that crumbs coat rims.

Fill a cocktail shaker half way with ice. Add vodka, crème de cacao and Coffee-mate and shake well.

Strain mixture into prepared glasses

3. Spiced Pear Toddy (By: H. Joseph Ehrmann)

2 ounces Square One Organic Vodka

1 ounce Perfect Purée Green Apple Puree, thawed

1 ounce Perfect Purée Pear Puree, thawed

1 ounce Baking Spice Syrup*

4 ounces hot water

1 cinnamon stick

1 pear wedge, for garnish

Directions:

Build all ingredients into mug and stir. Garnish with cinnamon stick and pear wedge. Serve in a tea cup

*Baking Spice Syrup:

1 cup water

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

½ tsp. ground cloves

½ tsp. ground all spice

1 whole star anise

Directions:

In a pot, bring water to boil. Add all spices. Lower temperature and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Remove from stove and pour mixture through strainer into a measuring cup. Add water to return volume of mixture to 1 cup and return to pot. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Pour mixture into storage container. Seal and refrigerate. Will keep refrigerated for 3-4 weeks.

4. Peppermint HINT Martini

2 ounces HINT Peppermint water

1.5 ounces vodka

1 ounce 100% cranberry juice

Approximately, 1 ounce seltzer water

Ice cubes

1 lime

Fresh fruit

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, Peppermint HINT, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into chilled glass and top with seltzer water. Squeeze lime into mixture and use as a garnish, along with some fresh fruits!

Total Calories: 122

5. Spiked Nog

1-1/2 cups hot brewed coffee

1/4 cup Seasonal Coffee-mate Eggnog Latte

3 ounce spiced rum

Whipped cream

Ground nutmeg (optional)

Directions:

Divide coffee, Coffee-mate and rum between two mugs. Top each with whipped cream and sprinkle of nutmeg.

6. Peppermint HINT Blueberry Blitzer (mocktail)

3 ounces Peppermint HINT

2 ounces 100% cranberry juice

1 ounce seltzer water

Ice cubes

Approximately, ¼ cup blueberries

1 mint leaf

Directions:

Muddle blueberries and add to a chilled glass. In a cocktail shaker, combine Peppermint HINT, cranberry juice, seltzer water and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into chilled glass; serve immediately. Garnish with a mint leaf.

Total Calories: 46

7. Black Raspberry Icicle

1 ounce Makers Mark Bourbon

1 ounce Dry vermouth

3 ounces Black Raspberry Sparkling ICE

Fresh berries

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh berries.

Total Calories: 115

8. Sparkling Peppermint Swirl

2 .5 ounces Black Raspberry Sparkling ICE

1.5 ounces Vanilla flavored vodka

1 ounce Crème de menthe liquor

Crushed candy cane

Directions:

In a shaker, combine ice, vodka and crème de menthe and grenadine. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with crushed candy canes. Top with Sparkling ICE and garnish with a candy cane.

Total Calories: 225

9.Hot Peppermint Mocha Shots

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup Seasonal Coffee-mate Sugar Free Peppermint Mocha

3/4 bar (3 ounce) dark chocolate baking bar

2 ounce peppermint schnapps

Whipped cream

Directions:

Heat water to boiling in small heavy-duty saucepan with vanilla extract; heat for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium. Add Coffee-mate and chocolate; whisk until smooth, slightly thickened and hot. Add optional peppermint schnapps.

Divide mixture between 6 tall shot glasses; top with dollop of whipped cream and serve.

10. Spiced Ruby

by Sal Huerta, Matt's In the Market, Seattle