How to Cut Calories During Holiday Happy Hour

Written by
Jennifer Fox
The holidays are upon us, and it seems that every gathering includes an opportunity to indulge in your favorite cocktail. But all of those boozy beverages can add inches to your waistline if you aren't careful. It's easy to overdo it on the sugar-laden drinks, but thankfully it can be just as easy to find healthier options to order. Here are eight ways to keep calories in check without losing holiday cheer.
Choose Your Booze Wisely
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Every variety of alcohol varies slightly in its caloric content, but the standards (gin, tequila, whiskey and scotch) contain fewer calories than flavored varieties and cream-based liquors. Sticking with traditional spirits can help keep your cocktail calories at a reasonable amount.
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Simplify the Spirit
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The easiest way to make sure you aren't ordering a calorie bomb at the bar is simple: The fewer ingredients in a cocktail, the more likely it's a healthier choice. Ditch the sugar-laden sodas, syrups and juices, and consider sticking to one liquor per drink. This helps encourage you to slow down and sip your drink, rather than sucking down multiple sugary glasses.
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Make Smart Swaps
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Consider swapping your regular mixers for a lower-calorie option. Instead of regular soda, choose a diet soda or a flavored sparkling water. If you enjoy drinks made with sour mix or fruit juices, opt for a splash of fresh-squeezed fruit or cut the amount of mixer added in half. For example, you can create a delicious, low-sugar margarita with tequila, fresh lime juice and agave nectar.This saves countless grams of sugar compared to most restaurant versions.
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Get Creative With Flavors
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Ditching the sugar-laden sodas, syrups or fruit juice doesn't mean your drink has to be low on taste. Add some herbs, like rosemary or mint, to liven things up. Spice things up even further with aromatics such as cinnamon or ginger to infuse flavor without adding anything that weighs you down. Need more options? Fresh cucumber, muddled berries and even spicy peppers like jalapeños can take your beverage to the next level.
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Get Creative With Flavors
1 of 11
Ditching the sugar-laden sodas, syrups or fruit juice doesn't mean your drink has to be low on taste. Add some herbs, like rosemary or mint, to liven things up. Spice things up even further with aromatics such as cinnamon or ginger to infuse flavor without adding anything that weighs you down. Need more options? Fresh cucumber, muddled berries and even spicy peppers like jalapeños can take your beverage to the next level.
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Watch the Portions
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Oversized drinks can contain a meal's worth of calories in one serving, and specialty drinks often contain multiple shots of alcohol with excessively sugary mixers. Drinks may not be listed as "super-sized" on the menu, but if you are aiming for portion control, it's best to err on the side of caution and ask for more details. And if you do end up with a larger drink than you bargained for, just remember: You don't have to finish it!
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Replace Oversized Glassware
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An easy way to save on calories and drink less overall is to swap your oversized glassware for smaller vessels. Thrift stores or secondhand shops usually have plenty of vintage glassware that will make a standard 5-ounce pour of wine or a single-shot cocktail feel like a proper amount while holding you more accountable on consumption.
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Be the Bartender
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Don't be afraid to take bartending into your own hands and whip up a lower calorie version of your favorite drink. When you're the one doing the pouring and mixing, you can control your portion sizes to make sure you aren't accidentally downing more harmful ingredients than intended. If you don't have the luxury of being able to mix your own drink, don't despair–good bartenders can accommodate. Be clear and polite with your requests, stick to the suggestions we've outlined previously, and leave a good tip for your server.
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Ditch Sugary Garnishes
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That rum-soaked pineapple or sugared rim on your glass may indeed taste delicious, but sugary garnishes are empty calories that add up quickly. Holiday drinks are famous for their cherries, whipped cream, chocolate sauces and more that give the beverage a festive look, but don't do your waistline any favors. Skip these extras that add sugar and empty calories to an already indulgent drink. Your drink will still be flavorful without them!
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Ditch Sugary Garnishes
1 of 11
That rum-soaked pineapple or sugared rim on your glass may indeed taste delicious, but sugary garnishes are empty calories that add up quickly. Holiday drinks are famous for their cherries, whipped cream, chocolate sauces and more that give the beverage a festive look, but don't do your waistline any favors. Skip these extras that add sugar and empty calories to an already indulgent drink. Your drink will still be flavorful without them!
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