The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge, but if you're being a little more mindful this season—whether you’re looking to to drink less sugar or abstain from alcohol—it can be tough to navigate the wide array of festive drinks at every gathering.
From creamy eggnog to boozy punches, holiday cocktails are often packed with calories and sugar that can leave you feeling less than clear and energized the next day.
But don’t worry—you can still enjoy a festive toast without the pesky side effects. With a few simple swaps, you can sip a little more mindfully while still keeping the fun of your favourite holiday drinks. Here are some fresh takes on your favourite holiday cocktails and drink options.
1. Go dry: Swap sweet wine for crisp, dry varieties
Did you know that the sweetness in wine translates to extra sugar and calories? A glass of sweet wine can have up to 17 grams of sugar, while a dry wine typically contains only about 1 to 2 grams per glass. That’s a huge difference! Choosing a dry wine will cut calories and keep things light, allowing you to enjoy your wine without the sugar crash or headache that too much sugar can sometimes bring on. Try this dry red wine festive sangria.
2. Pop the bubbly: Try prosecco instead of white wine
For a festive toast that’s lower in calories, swap your usual white wine for prosecco. A 9-ounce glass of white wine can run you around 209 calories, whereas prosecco clocks in at just 85 calories per glass. It’s the perfect option for health-conscious celebrators who still want that bubbly fizz without the sugar binge. Here’s a Pomegranate Prossecco Smash cocktail to wow guests this festive season.
3. Lighten your G&T with a “Gin Sonic”
Gin and tonics are a holiday classic, but they can be loaded with sugar thanks to the tonic water. For a lighter alternative, make a gin sonic by mixing gin with soda water instead of tonic. A regular G&T contains about 170 calories, while a gin sonic only has 115. Plus, you’ll save over 11 grams of sugar with this simple swap—cheers to that! This holiday grapefruit-infused Gin Sonic is the perfect party drink.
4. Say “see ya” to sweet mixers: Opt for spirits and seltzer
If you’re tired of sugary sodas and juices in your cocktails, the simplest swap is to replace those mixers with sparkling water or flavoured seltzers. The beauty of this swap is that it cuts out sugar completely—saving you 10 to 15 grams of sugar per drink. Plus, sparkling water adds the fizz and fun without the added calories. Take it one step further while still keeping it mindful with this Naughty & Nice Holiday Punch.
5. Slim down your margarita with a "skinny" version
Margaritas are a crowd-pleaser at holiday parties, but traditional versions are often packed with sugar and carbs. A regular margarita can have 274 calories and 36 grams of sugar! The good news is you can easily make a “skinny margarita” with club soda, fresh lime juice, and a dash of stevia or skip the sugar entirely. This swap cuts your drink’s calorie count in half, so you can enjoy your marg without the guilt. Make your marg extra festive with this Skinny Coconut Margarita recipe.
6. Try an unsweetened hard seltzer
The rise of hard seltzers is changing the way we think about canned drinks. But not all canned cocktails are created equal. Many contain added sugars that can send your calorie count skyrocketing. Stick to unsweetened hard seltzers, which typically have zero to two grams of sugar per can. Compare that to sweetened canned cocktails that can contain 12 to 40 grams of sugar per serving. You can still enjoy a fizzy, refreshing drink without the sugar overload. Look for hard seltzer party packs like these at your local liquor store.
7. Choose bottled beer over pints to cut calories
If beer is your drink of choice, consider ordering a bottle instead of a pint. A pint of beer can have about 220 calories, while a bottle often contains only 110—sometimes even less if you opt for a light beer. This simple swap helps you enjoy your favourite beer while keeping your calorie intake in check.
8. Go mocktail for the ultimate low-cal drink
Want to skip alcohol entirely but still enjoy a festive drink? Opt for a mocktail. These alcohol-free beverages let you savour the flavours of the season without the calories and sugar of traditional cocktails. Just remember: mocktails can still be sugary, so stick with unsweetened mixers like soda water or freshly squeezed juices to keep things light. From a peppermint espresso mocktini to a sparkling apple cider mocktail, here are 10 zero-proof beverages to try.
* Disclaimer: The photos featured in this article are for inspiration and example purposes only. The actual drinks may look different depending on how you prepare them.
About the Author
Alicia is a journalist and editor in digital and print media specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and wellness. She was previously the Editorial Director of Clean Eating and Vegetarian Times. Her work has also appeared in Hone Health The Edge, Yoga Journal, Women’s Running, and Oxygen, among others. In addition to being a content creator, she's an ISSA-certified nutritionist, certified personal trainer, and fitness studio owner in Toronto. Alicia loves spreading the word about helpful, science-backed health information, and she can be contacted via her website at aliciamtyler.com.
