The Best Holiday Cocktails

SHAPE magazine
Candy Cane Fizz-Tini
Candy Cane Fizz-Tini

The holiday season usually introduces an influx of new fatty cocktails at your local watering hole. If the drink's got a name like Creamy Peppermint-Chocolate Potion, chances are it's a calorie bomb. Always check with the bartender about ingredients and nutritional information first or try a few of these lighter yet still tasty and festive drinks instead:

1. Candy Cane Fizz-Tini: Play mixologist at the next holiday party with this delicious drink (bonus: it even comes with a fun name!). The fizz-tini blends peppermint schnapps, vanilla vodka, and a totally unique candy cane seltzer for a grown-up minty brew.

Ingredients:
1 oz. Dekuyper Peppermint Schnapps
1 oz. Three Olives Vanilla Vodka
3 oz. Polar Candy Cane Seltzer
Crushed candy cane for garnish

Directions:
Wet rim of martini glass with peppermint schnapps and dip into crushed candy cane. Combine schnapps and vodka in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, strain into martini glass. Top with Polar Candy Cane Seltzer, taking care not to bruise the bubbles.

152 calories, 7.3 grams sugar


Skinny Eggnog
Skinny Eggnog

2. Skinny Eggnog: Give eggnog a much-needed makeover using a naturally calorie-free seltzer with no added sugar, sodium, or preservatives. The seltzer's limited edition seasonal flavor gives this tipple all the richness of a typical eggnog without the extra fat.

Ingredients:
1 oz. Maker Mark 46 Bourbon
1 oz. Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum
1 tbsp. maple syrup
2 oz. whole milk
4 oz. Polar Eggnog Seltzer
1 tbsp. ground nutmeg for garnish

Directions:
Combine all ingredients, except the seltzer, in a blender and process until foamy and aerated (you can always froth by hand in cocktail shaker with vigorous shaking). Add crushed ice and swirl to chill. Strain into a large wine goblet, top with Polar Eggnog Seltzer. Garnish with a grating of nutmeg.

194 calories, 11.5 grams sugar

White Asian
White Asian

3. White Asian: This recipe puts a healthier twist on the White Russian by replacing heavy cream and sugary syrup with fat-free evaporated milk and a calorie-conscious soju (a popular distilled Korean liquor). The drink mingles delicate flavors for an explosion of still-creamy goodness.

Ingredients:
2.5 oz. TY KU Soju
1 oz. Da Vinci's Sugar-Free Kahlua -flavored syrup
Splash of fat-free evaporated milk

Directions:
Pour ingredients together and stir.

110 calories, 2.8 grams sugar



Skinny Slide
Skinny Slide

4. Skinny Slide: Using ingredients like low-cal soju and light agave water, this skinny spin on a traditional mudslide will still satiate your sweet tooth.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz. TY KU Soju
2 oz. skim milk
0.5 oz. Irish whiskey
1/2 tsp. light agave water (equal parts agave diluted with warm water)

Directions:
Pour ingredients together and stir.

126 calories, 2.5 grams sugar


Skinny Clementine Martini
Skinny Clementine Martini

5. Skinny Clementine Martini: This cocktail recipe from Betty Crocker offers a light alternative by swapping sugary fruit juice for the fresh-squeezed juice of your choice. A splash of club soda and high-quality booze gives this drink a light, refreshing flavor.

Ingredients:
Ice cubes
2 tbsp. gin or citrus vodka
1 tbsp. elderflower liqueur or clear orange liqueur
3 tbsp. fresh-squeezed clementine juice, fresh-squeezed pink grapefruit juice, or pomegranate juice
1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 tbsp. club soda
Clementine slice, pink grapefruit peel twist, or fresh lime slice for garnish

Directions:
In cocktail shaker filled with ice, add gin, liqueur, and juices. Cover; shake until well mixed. Strain into martini glass; top off with club soda. Garnish as desired.

130 calories, 7 grams sugar