Healthy Drink Swaps for Christmas Parties
The Christmas season is full of fun, food, and festive drinks. From work parties to family get-togethers, it can feel like one long celebration. While enjoying a few drinks is part of the fun, it can be easy to lose track of how much sugar and alcohol you’re consuming.
If you want to enjoy the festivities without derailing your health goals, you’re in the right place. Making small changes to what you drink can make a big difference. This guide will show you some easy and delicious healthy drink swaps for your Christmas parties. I will cover everything from low-alcohol alternatives to tasty non-alcoholic options, so you can celebrate the season feeling your best. These drink swaps will make all the difference.
Why Choose Healthier Drinks?
Choosing healthier drinks during the Christmas season has many benefits. Alcoholic and sugary drinks can be high in calories, which can contribute to weight gain. They can also affect your sleep, leaving you feeling tired and sluggish. Hangovers are no fun and can stop you from enjoying the festive period to the fullest.
By making smarter drink choices, you can stay in control of your health. You’ll likely have more energy, better sleep, and a clearer head. It also means you can still join in the celebrations without feeling like you’re missing out. A few simple drink swaps can help you feel great throughout the entire holiday season.
Alcoholic Drink Swaps
If you enjoy alcoholic drinks but want to make healthier choices, there are plenty of simple swaps you can make. These options often have fewer calories and less alcohol, which can help you feel better the next day.
Spirits and Mixers
A classic spirit and mixer is a popular choice, but the mixer can often be full of sugar. A standard serving of cola can contain over nine teaspoons of sugar. Swapping sugary mixers for healthier alternatives is an easy win.
- Swap This: Gin and Tonic (regular tonic water)
- For This: Gin and Diet Tonic. Diet tonic water has zero sugar and calories, but still provides that classic bitter taste. Garnish with a slice of lime or cucumber for extra flavour.
- Swap This: Rum and Coke
- For This: Rum and Diet Coke or Soda Water. Diet soft drinks are a simple way to cut out sugar. For an even healthier choice, soda water with a squeeze of fresh lime provides a refreshing fizz without any added sweeteners.
- Swap This: Vodka and Cranberry Juice
- For This: Vodka, Soda, and a Splash of Cranberry. Most cranberry juice is high in sugar. By using mostly soda water and just a small amount of juice for colour and flavour, you significantly reduce your sugar intake.
Wine and Beer Choices and Drink Swaps
Wine and beer are staples at many Christmas parties. However, they can be high in calories. Drink swaps to lighter options can make a real difference.
- Swap This: A large glass of red or sweet white wine.
- For This: A small glass of dry white wine or a wine spritzer. Dry wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio generally have fewer calories than sweeter varieties. Making a spritzer by adding soda water to your wine not only lowers the alcohol content but also helps you stay hydrated.
- Swap This: A high-strength craft beer or lager.
- For This: A light beer or a lower-alcohol option. Many brands now offer light beers that have fewer calories and less alcohol. These are a great way to enjoy a pint without feeling overly full or groggy.
Cocktail Drink Swaps
Cocktails can be the biggest culprits when it comes to hidden sugars and calories. Creamy, syrupy, and juice-heavy cocktails are delicious but can be very unhealthy.
- Swap This: Piña Colada or White Russian. These cocktails are made with cream or coconut cream, making them very high in fat and calories.
- For This: Mojito or Martini. A classic Mojito made with fresh mint, lime, and a small amount of sugar is a much lighter option. A Martini, made simply with gin or vodka and vermouth, is a sophisticated and lower-calorie choice. Ask the bartender to go easy on the sugar syrup in the Mojito.
- Swap This: A sugary Margarita mix.
- For This: A skinny Margarita. A ‘skinny’ version uses fresh lime juice instead of a pre-made mix and is sweetened with a natural, low-calorie sweetener like agave nectar. It’s just as tasty but much better for you.
Delicious Non-Alcoholic Alternatives
Going alcohol-free doesn’t mean you have to stick to boring drinks. There are more exciting non-alcoholic options available now than ever before. These “mocktails” and other festive drink swaps are just as special and can be enjoyed by everyone.
Festive Mocktails
Mocktails are a fantastic way to feel part of the celebration with drink swaps. They look and taste like cocktails, just without the alcohol.
- Cranberry and Ginger Fizz: This is a simple yet elegant drink. Mix cranberry juice with ginger ale and a squeeze of fresh lime. Serve in a tall glass with a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch. To make it even healthier, use unsweetened cranberry juice.
- Spiced Apple Mocktail: Gently heat apple juice with a cinnamon stick, a few cloves, and a star anise. Let the flavours infuse for about 20 minutes. Strain and serve warm in a mug. This drink smells just like Christmas and is wonderfully comforting on a cold night.
- Virgin Mojito: Muddle fresh mint leaves and lime wedges in a glass. Top with soda water and a small amount of sugar or sweetener to taste. It’s incredibly refreshing and looks just like the real thing.
Grown-Up Soft Drink Swaps
The market for non-alcoholic drinks has exploded in recent years. You can now find a wide range of sophisticated options that are a world away from a simple glass of juice.
- Non-Alcoholic Spirits: Brands like Clean Co offer a range of non-alcoholic spirits. These are designed to mimic the flavours of gin, rum, and other spirits. You can mix them with diet tonic or soda water for a grown-up drink without the alcohol.
- Kombucha: This fermented tea drink is fizzy, slightly sour, and comes in many different flavours. It’s a great alternative to prosecco or champagne. Look for low-sugar varieties and serve it chilled in a champagne flute to feel extra fancy.
- Flavoured Sparkling Water: Instead of a sugary soft drink, opt for flavoured sparkling water. Many brands offer natural flavours with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. It’s a simple, hydrating, and healthy choice.
Tips for Staying on Track
Navigating parties and drink swaps can be tricky, but a little planning can help you stick to your goals.
- Alternate Your Drinks: For every alcoholic drink you have, have a glass of water or a non-alcoholic alternative. This helps you stay hydrated, reduces your overall alcohol consumption, and can help prevent a hangover.
- Offer to Be the Driver: If you’re the designated driver, you have the perfect reason to stick to non-alcoholic drinks. Your friends will thank you for it, and you’ll wake up feeling fresh.
- Eat Before You Go: Having a healthy meal before you go to a party can stop you from drinking on an empty stomach. This helps you to pace yourself and make better choices throughout the night.
- Bring Your Own: If you’re going to a house party, why not bring your own healthy drinks? That way, you know there will be something you enjoy that fits your goals. A bottle of non-alcoholic prosecco or the ingredients for a tasty mocktail are great options.
A Healthier Festive Season
Christmas is a time for celebration, and with a few smart choices and drink swaps, you can enjoy the festivities while still taking care of your health. By swapping sugary mixers, choosing lighter alcoholic options, or exploring the exciting world of non-alcoholic drinks, you can have a happy and healthy holiday season. Cheers to that!
Frequently Asked Questions For Drink Swaps
What is the healthiest alcoholic drink for drink swaps?
Clear spirits like vodka or gin mixed with soda water and a squeeze of fresh citrus are generally the healthiest options. They contain no sugar and are lower in calories compared to beer, wine, or cocktails, making them perfect drink swaps.
Are non-alcoholic beers and wines healthy?
Non-alcoholic versions of beer and wine are healthier because they have little to no alcohol. However, some can still contain a surprising amount of sugar and calories. It’s always a good idea to check the label and choose options with lower sugar content.
How can I make my drinks look more festive without adding sugar?
Garnishes are your best friend! Add a sprig of rosemary, a few fresh cranberries, a slice of orange, or a cinnamon stick to your drink. You can also use fun, festive glassware to make any drink feel special.
Will I feel left out if I don’t drink alcohol?
Not at all. The non-alcoholic drink market is growing, and there are many sophisticated and delicious options available. Holding a fancy mocktail in a nice glass feels just as celebratory, and you’ll likely feel much better the next day.
Can I still have eggnog?
Traditional eggnog is very high in sugar, fat, and calories. If you love it, consider it a special treat and have a small portion. You can also find or make healthier versions using low-fat milk or a milk alternative, and reducing the amount of sugar.
Have you tried any of these drink swaps? Let me know in the comments below
