Nutrition: Four Healthy Holiday Cocktails

The holiday season is notorious for indulgence; whether its gifts, food or drinks this is the time of year of excess. Many of us get so wrapped up in maintaining the will-power to keep from over eating, that we forget about the calories we can accumulate by over drinking!

Now for many of us it wouldn’t be the holidays without a seasonally inspired cocktail—but many of these are high in fat and sugar, which doesn’t bode well with our waist line. To keep from stressing over one more thing this season, take a look at some of my Get Fit with Britt Healthy Holiday Cocktails which include some tasty healthy benefits!

Pumpkin Caipirinha

Using cozy ingredients like ginger, nutmeg and antioxidant-rich pumpkin, this drink is definitely a treat to get you in a festive holiday mood. Combine in a cocktail shaker and serve over ice:

• Lime

• Honey (just a touch since the pumpkin is already sweet!)

• Cachaça or Rum

• Pumpkin Puree

• Grated Ginger and Nutmeg

• Crushed Ice

Cranberry Cosmo

Cranberries are a powerhouse, being an excellent source of Vitamin C, manganese, and other phytonutrients called flavonoids. These powerful antioxidants help maintain cell structure and eliminate free radicals, or toxins, from the body. Combine and strain into a Martini Glass over Frozen Cranberries:

• Cranberry Liqueur

• Cointreau

• Lime Juice

• Crushed Ice

Pomegranate Spritzer

Rich in Vitamin C, B6, and potassium, pomegranate are the toast of the season! Combine and serve in a Champagne Flute over Pomegranate Seeds:

• Organic, Pure Pomegranate Juice

• Dry, Sparkling Wine or Champagne of Choice

Mulled Red Wine

Who needs gifts when there’s Red Wine? Celebrate the season this Heart-healthy, brain-stimulating, age-prolonging, cancer-fighting drink! Tie all the seasonings below into a cheesecloth or stainless steel tea infuser, pour your favorite Red Wine into a large saucepan and keep on low heat with seasonings. Serve in a heatproof glass with a cinnamon stick:

• Lemon Slices

• Orange Slices

• Cinnamon Stick

• Whole Cloves

• Whole Ginger (cut up)

• Whole Nutmeg

Of course remember that excessive drinking may not only increase your risks for some diseases and cancers, it can also add lots of calories and lower your “healthy-eating” inhibitions. So be sure to cheers to moderation or to simply remove the alcohol for safe consumption, and dedicate this holiday season “to health and happiness!”