Making Spirits Light

[dropcap]Forget the hot buttered rum and spiked eggnog; traditional holiday drinks like these can easily carry 400 calories or more. Our lighter versions—developed and tested by HJ staffers—are every reason to drink and be merry this holiday season. So, cheers![/dropcap]

Pomegranate Sparkler
Calories: 98

4 oz. Prosecco
1/2 oz. pomegranate juice
Combine in champagne flute.

Chocolate Orange
Calories: 140

1 oz. orange liquor (Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
2 oz. Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk
1 T. whipped topping
Combine in chilled double shot (shooter) glass and garnish with whipped cream.

Mocha Italia
Calories: 195

1.5 oz. amaretto
2 tsp. hot chocolate mix
5 oz. hot coffee
2 T. whipped cream
Solid dark chocolate shavings (for garnish)
Stir hot cocoa mix into hot coffee until dissolved, then add amaretto and top with whipped cream and shavings.

Ginger Snap
Calories: 104

1.5 oz. vanilla vodka
6 oz. diet ginger ale
Combine over ice cubes in highball glass.

Eggnog Martini
Calories: 195

4 oz. Silk Seasonal Nog soymilk
1.5 oz. amaretto
1-2 tsp. vanilla sugar-free Jello pudding mix (powder)
Nutmeg and cinnamon stick (for garnish)
Shake first three ingredients vigorously over ice and strain into a martini glass.

Cinn-ful Cider
Calories: 200

4 c. apple cider
1/2 c. apple brandy
1 oz. cinnamon schnapps
2 cinnamon sticks
Heat apple cider and cinnamon sticks on stovetop. Add alcohol and stir. Makes about four 8 oz. servings.

Chilly Cranberry Mojito
Calories: 130

6 mint leaves
1 T. Truvia sweetener
1.5 oz. light rum
1/3 c. lime juice
4 oz. light cranberry juice
Splash diet tonic water
Muddle mint leaves with sweetener in the bottom of a tall glass. Add rum and lime juice; stir to dissolve sweetener. Fill glass with ice and add cranberry juice and tonic water, stirring to combine.

Rudolph Martini
Calories: 91

1 oz. vodka
2 oz. butter toffee flavored coffee
1 T. cocoa powder
1/2 oz. fat-free milk
Maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Shake first four ingredients over ice and strain into martini glass. Rim glass with cocoa powder and garnish with cherry (for a red nose).

North Pole Cocoa
Calories: 216

4 oz. Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk
1 oz. marshmallow flavored vodka
1/2 oz. Kahlua
1/2 oz. peppermint schnapps
Combine all ingredients and over ice in a rocks glass.