Lighten up Holiday Cocktails Without Losing the Fun

Everything seems to get a little richer during the holidays—meals, desserts, baking and even drinks. From rum and eggnog to heavy holiday beers to mulled wine, traditional holiday drinks are fun to drink but heavy in calories, especially at holiday parties where both food and drinks flow freely.

Fortunately, according to dietitian Gloria Tsang, author of the new book Go UnDiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss and founder of nutrition network HealthCastle.com, there are some easy ways to lighten up your holiday cocktails without losing out on any of the festive flair.

"You'd be surprised at how elaborate and colorful a cocktail with just a few ingredients can be," Tsana said. "The key is to focus on ingredients that maximize flavor and color while minimizing sugar, fat and calories."

If you're mixing drinks for your own holiday party, use these tips to come up with a signature cocktail that will delight your guests. If you're not the host, use these strategies to order something simple that will have your taste buds tingling.

Skip the Syrup: Many cocktails rely on sugar-sodden fruit syrups and mixes that offer none of the benefits of real fruit. Instead, use real fruit, especially citrus and berries. Try them blended as a base for mixed drinks.

Kick the Cola: Cola packs a killer calorie punch, especially mixed with high-sugar spirits like rum or rye. Try a spritzer base instead for a much lighter take on carbonated drinks. Lime spritzer and rum or vodka is a great place to start. 

Just a Splash of Flavor: Start with a basic vodka and soda (club soda has 0 calories) and add a hint of flavor with citrus peel, frozen berries or fresh mint. The strong smells give the impression of big flavor, and the colors are great too.

Avoid High Proof: Higher alcohol levels instantly up the calorie count, so high-proof liquor bulks up your cocktail in more ways than one. Stick to the standard-proof brands to get both the calories and the drink strength you expect.

Sip, Pause, Repeat: Cocktails taste best when sipped slowly, and you'll consume less over the course of the party if you're not throwing them back. Add lots of ice to keep your drink cold to the last drop.