Healthy Christmas Cocktails

Cocktails are delicious, fun, but often times are loaded with sugar and calories.  Here you will find recipes for Christmas cocktails that are so delicious you will forget they are also healthy (ish). 

Here you will find options for both alcoholic cocktails as well as non-alcoholic cocktails, aka mocktails. 

These recipes are perfect for those of you who are calorie and sugar conscious. 

Christmas Cocktail Recipes

Christmas cocktails are sometimes full of sugar, lacking flavor and boring.  These recipes have been curated to feature innovative ideas and flavors.  They are sure to impress.

Christmas Cocktails (with alcohol)

First, cocktails in the traditional sense of the word will be featured. These cocktails were developed to include alcohol.

Cranberry Rosé by G Free Foodie

This mulled apple cider is easy to make and is a wonderful warming drink for colder months and festive occasions. This version is also delicious as a non-alcoholic cider making it a kid friendly treat the whole family can enjoy.

Spice and citrus notes from orange bitters give this cheerful Cranberry Rosé wine cocktail made with cranberry juice and rosé surprising depth

Mulled Apple Cider by Keep Calm and Eat Ice Cream

This mulled apple cider is easy to make and is a wonderful warming drink for colder months and festive occasions. This version is also delicious as a non-alcoholic cider making it a kid friendly treat the whole family can enjoy.

Pomegranate Lime Spritz by Maple and Mango        

This Pomegranate Lime Spritzer cocktail recipe is super refreshing and made with a few simple ingredients. An easy and festive drink that is perfect for the holidays!

Farmers Market Wine Cocktail by G Free Foodie

Call it a savory sangria, or a red wine Bloody Mary, or a summer garden in a glass. However you describe it, this Farmers Market Wine Cocktail is simply delicious and fit for celebrating.

Lemon Meringue Pie Martini by Sarah Bites

Lemon Meringue Pie Martini is a fun martini that tastes like the classic lemon meringue pie dessert! Make this as a batch cocktail for a party, or for one. Omit the triple sec and use more vodka for a lower calorie version

Apple Cider Cable Car Cocktail by Casual Foodist

With apple cider, rum, Cointreau and lemon juice this apple cider cable car cocktail is easy to make but surprisingly complex and tasty. 

Non-Alcoholic Christmas Cocktails

If you are drinking less or not a drinker at all, you can still enjoy non-alcoholic Christmas cocktails and mocktails. 

While most cocktails are created with the flavor of the alcohol in mind, you can often omit the alcohol to make it a mocktail.  You can replace the alcohol with soda water or juice, or just leave it out of the recipe all together.  

Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail by Nourish Nutrition

Level up sparkling apple cider mocktail with some fresh citrus slices for a fun and easy Christmas apple drink. Make this festive mocktail in 5 minutes with thin slices of citrus fruit, a sprig of rosemary and sparkling apple cider

Sparkling Apple Cider Punch by This Farm Girl Cooks

Sparkling apple cider punch is the perfect recipe for fall and holiday festivities. Make a batch of this chilled punch for a beverage everyone will enjoy!

Pomegranate Lime Spritzer by Nourish Nutrition

If you are looking for an equally delicious and easy holiday drink, you are covered with this pomegranate lime spritzer mocktail.  You will also find a couple alcohol suggestions to make this into a cocktail.

Healthy Appletini Mocktail by Nourish Me Wild

This Healthy Appletini Mocktail is perfect for the holidays.  Festive and green  make this mocktail one you will want to make again and again.  Easy and simple, make with only four ingredients and contains no added sugar. 

No Alcohol Southern Cocktail Mocktail by Smarty Pants Kitchen

Welcome your holiday guests in from the cold with this no alcohol southern cocktail.  Your guest will love this because it is delicious and warm with a nice warm blend of tomato juice and seasonings.  Designated drivers and non-drinkers will thank you.

What is a traditional Christmas drink?

Traditional Christmas drinks include eggnog, mulled cider and hot chocolate.

While these are all delicious, they all contain a LOT of added sugar.  You can still enjoy these traditional drinks.  Just enjoy these traditional drinks in moderation. 

A more tip, if you are making one of these traditional drinks at home, try making them from scratch and slowly add sugar to sweeten 1 teaspoon at a time.  I tried looking for healthy versions for hot chocolate and eggnog, and come up short.

What should you drink on Christmas?

You should enjoy one of these healthy Christmas cocktails featured on this page! 

However, if none of them appeal to you, you can always stick to traditional alcoholic drinks such as wine or beer, or non-alcoholic options such as tea and water.

What do you serve at a Christmas cocktail party?

For a Christmas cocktail party, you should serve a few cocktail options as well as snacks.  All of the cocktails on this page are perfect for a Christmas cocktail party.    

Do not overwhelm yourself and your guests, with unlimited options.  I suggest serving the following:

• 1 Christmas cocktail that is alcoholic free or non-alcoholic punch
• 2 Signature cocktails for the party.  Here you can offer a healthy (or healthier version) for one of the signature cocktails
• 2 to 3 cold snacks or appetizers
• 2 to 3 warm snacks or appetizers

You want to be able to enjoy the time with your guests, so try to prepare as much in advance as possible.

Cheers to Christmas Cocktails

Again, Christmas cocktails are delicious, festive and fun.  However, you do not have to ruin your diet, make these healthier versions.  They are so delicious you will forget they are also healthy (ish). 

You now have alcoholic cocktails as well as non-alcoholic cocktails options to enjoy this Christmas.

References

Tips for Hosting a Holiday Cocktail Party.  https://blog.williams-sonoma.com/tips-for-hosting-a-holiday-cocktail-party/.  Retrieved 24 Nov 2020.

Calories in all your favorite cocktails. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/food/cocktails. Retrieved 24 Nov 2020.