Sip Smart This Holiday Season

Here are some of our top tips for sipping smart this holiday season

(Smart drink recipes below)

• Fill up on water throughout the day, especially if you plan to have cocktails later that evening. 
• Choose low/no sugar or lower calorie versions instead (beer, coolers – options below). 
• Avoid cream-based liquors and syrupy fruit purees. 
• Use non-fat milk and cream for those drinks that require milk or cream. 
• Choose low calorie mixes (options below). 
• Drink water between alcoholic drinks. 
• Create a goal for a max number of cocktails you will be having that evening (if your goal is weight loss, aim for no more than 3 drinks). 
• Remember, alcohol may increase appetite and lead to eating more, so sip slowly and practice moderation.

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Calories in common alcohol beverages 

Note: Calories will vary depending on size of drink. Choose wisely.

• LIGHT BEER (Bud Light, Coors Lite, Corona Light)‎‎ ~ 100-110 CALORIES
• DARK BEER ~ 150-190 CALORIES
• RED & WHITE WINE (5oz glass) ~ 115-130 CALORIES 
• VODKA / WHISKEY / RUM (1oz shot) ~ 70 CALORIES
• SMIRNOFF PEACHE/ROSEE COOLER ~ 90 CALORIES
• SOCIAL LITES ~ 80 CALORIES 
• GIN & TONIC ~ 190 CALORIES
• RED SANGRIA ~ 200-300 CALORIES
• MIMOSA (5oz) ~ 87 CALORIES
• VODKA TONIC ~ 143 CALORIES
• MARTINI ~ 160 CALORIES
• RUM N’ COKE (reg coke) ~ 143 CALORIES
• CALORIES LONG ISLAND ICED TEA ~ 150 CALORIES

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Low calorie mixes to use

ICE Sparkling Water (any flavour), Coke Zero, Mio & Water, Fresca, 10 Cal Ocean Cranberry Juice, Diet Soda

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Lower calorie holiday cocktails

• Skinny Cranberry Margarita
  - 1oz Tequila 
  - 2 tbsp Lime Juice 
  - ¼ Cranberry Juice 
  - 10 oz Sparkling Water (Lime) 
  ** Even lower calories: Use 10cal Cranberry Juice* 

• Ginger Snap
  - 2oz Peach Ciroc 
  - 1 piece ginger 
  - 4 sage leaves 
  - 0.75oz Fresh lemon Juice 
  - 2oz Soda Water 
  Directions: Put the ginger and sage in a mixing tin. Muddle, then add lemon juice and CÎROC. Pack with ice and shake. Strain in a Collins glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a piece of sage. 

• Cranberry Pomegranate Champagne
  - 4oz Champagne 
  - 1 tbsp Cranberry Juice 
  - 4-6 Pomegranate seeds 

• Sparkling Cranberry Lime Cocktail
  - 1oz Vodka 
  - Handful of cranberries 
  - 2-3 Lime Slices 
  - ¼ Cup Pure Cranberry Juice 
  - 1 Cup Club Soda 
  - 1tsp Agave 
  Directions: Add the vodka into a 16-ounce tall glass. Now add a handful of cranberries and a couple lime slices. Add the ice on top. Pour in the cranberry juice followed by the club soda. Add a squeeze of lime juice (if desired) and agave to taste. Stir to combine.

• Low-Cal Whiskey Sour
  - 1.5 oz Whiskey 
  - 1.5 oz Lemon Juice 
  - 1.5oz Water 
  - 1 Packet Stevia 
  - 1 Slice Lemon 
  Directions: Put the ingredients in a cocktail shaker half-full of ice. Shake well. Strain into a glass  (rocks glass, sour glass, martini glass, or whichever glass you prefer). Garnish with lemon. 

• Skinny Paloma
  - 6oz Grapefruit Juice 
  - 1.5oz Tequila 
  - 1 tsp Lime Juice 
  - Ice 
  - Grapefruit flavoured sparkling water (optional) 
  - Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, for rim 
  Directions: Add 1.5 oz of tequila, 6oz of grapefruit juice, 1tsb lime juice and ice into the glass. Stir  to combine, add a splash of sparkling water and garnish with lime wedge. 

• Skinny Hot Chocolate
  - 2 Cups Unsweetened Almond Milk 
  - 5tsp Cocoa Powder 
  - 1/8 tsp Stevia 
  - 1oz Amaretto 
  Directions: Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and turn heat to medium/high. Using a whisk  or spoon, continuously mix until fully combined. Bring milk to a simmer and take off heat. Serve  with non-fat cool whip and a sprinkle of cinnamon.