SPICY APPLE
131 calories per serving
Ginger beer isn’t actually beer at all, but rather a nonalcoholic carbonated soft drink. You can drink it on its own (it’s very similar to ginger ale) or use it as a mixer in cocktails. It’s rarely available as a diet variety, but you can substitute a really good-quality diet ginger ale if you prefer to reduce the total amount of calories. Serves 1
1 ounce vanilla-flavored vodka, homemade or store bought
3 ounces cold apple cider
2 ounces ginger beer
Ice cubes
1 cinnamon stick, for garnish
3 thin slices Gala or Fuji apple, for garnish
In a rocks glass, combine the vodka, cider, and ginger beer. Add ice cubes, garnish with the cinnamon stick and apple slices, and serve.
EGGNOG
135 calories per serving
A serving of traditional eggnog—made with lots of egg yolks, whole milk, heavy cream, and a heavy dose of bourbon, brandy, or rum—contains about 350 calories and a gut-busting 19 grams of fat. Bah! Humbug! This version, which is every bit as flavorful and creamy, contains only 135 calories per serving. Serves 6
2½ cups cold 1% milk
1 vanilla bean
1 cinnamon stick
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
¼ cup cold spiced rum or bourbon
Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
Fat-free whipped cream, for garnish (optional)
In a medium saucepan set over low heat, heat 2 cups of the milk. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape the seeds into the pan, and put the pod in the pan, too. Add the cinnamon stick and heat the milk until simmering, about 5 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture steep for 15 minutes. Return the pan to low heat and bring the mixture back to a simmer.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, and cornstarch together until the egg mixture thickens and becomes pale, about 2 minutes.
Remove the cinnamon stick and vanilla pod from the milk, and then slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture.
Return the mixture to the pan, set the pan over low heat, and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the wooden spoon, about 5 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the remaining ½ cup of cold milk and the cold rum to cool down the mixture.
Transfer the eggnog to a pitcher or bowl, cover, and refrigerate until very cold, at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
To serve, pour the eggnog into 6 cups and garnish with the nutmeg and whipped cream, if desired.
In step 1, add 2 tablespoons of natural cocoa powder and a 2-inch piece of orange peel to the 2 cups of milk. Replace the grated nutmeg with ground cinnamon. Top with whipped cream and garnish with a cinnamon stick. (calories: 139)
HOT TODDY
75 calories per serving
It seems too good to be true! A warm, satisfying, sweet, boozy mug of goodness with only 75 calories a serving. Feel free to add any spices that you like, or even a few tea bags to add depth of flavor without additional calories. Serves 6
4 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
3 cloves
1 star anise
3-inch strip of orange zest
2-inch strip of lemon zest
3 tablespoons honey or agave
¼ cup bourbon, brandy, or dark rum
In a medium saucepan set over high heat, combine the water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and the orange and lemon zests. Bring to boil, turn off the heat, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes.
Bring back to a simmer, add the honey and bourbon, and cook for 2 minutes. Pour into 6 heatproof mugs and serve.
HOT BUTTERED BOURBON
120 calories per serving
Most people are familiar with hot buttered rum, but there is something very southern and comforting about using bourbon in this dessert-like drink. Serves 6
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
6 ounces bourbon
2 cups apple cider
2 cups hot water
1 recipe mulling spices (recipe follows)
1 small orange, quartered
1 small lemon, halved
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter. Cook until it turns light golden brown, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the sugar and cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 4 minutes.
Add the bourbon and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
Add the cider, water, mulling spices, orange, and lemon. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and let steep for another 15 minutes.
Remove the mulling spices and orange and lemon. Return the pan to low heat and bring to a simmer.
Ladle into heatproof mugs, garnish with a cinnamon stick, and serve.
HOMEMADE MULLING SPICES
Put 2 cinnamon sticks, 8 whole cloves, 4 allspice berries, and a pinch of grated nutmeg into a square of cheesecloth. Tie the cloth closed with kitchen twine.
GINGER-PEAR NIGHTCAP
131 calories per serving
The combination of ginger and pears is classic in the dessert world. Kick back, put your feet up, and sip it slowly for a perfect way to end your day. Serves 1
Ice cubes
2 ounces cold pear nectar
1 ounce cognac or brandy
1 fresh twist of orange, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes, combine the simple syrup, pear nectar, and cognac. Shake for 10 seconds.
Strain into a brandy snifter, garnish with the twist of orange, and serve.
VANILLA-CHAMOMILE HOT TODDY
97 calories per serving
Hot toddys are the perfect drink on a cold winter night. Chamomile has been imbibed for centuries and offers many health benefits, including soothing stomachaches and promoting sleep. You can also refrigerate this mixture and serve it over ice on a hot summer’s day. Serves 4
4 cups water
4 chamomile tea bags
2 tablespoons honey
1 vanilla bean, split
2 orange slices, plus 4 more for garnish
4 ounces white rum
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the tea bags, honey, vanilla bean, and 2 of the orange slices. Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
Strain the mixture, discarding the solids, and return the tea to the pan. Heat on low, and bring to a simmer.
Divide the tea among 4 heatproof mugs and add 1 ounce of the rum to each. Garnish each with the remaining orange slices and serve.
HOT TEA-TO
150 calories per serving
This mash-up of a hot toddy and a mojito is perfect for drinking on a cold winter’s night when you are dreaming about being on a hot sandy beach. The combination of tea and mint is always a winner—add rum, and … jackpot! If you can find pure cane sugar, use it, as its natural molasses flavor makes this drink much more complex and very reminiscent of the Islands. Serves 2
2 cups water
2 black tea bags
¼ cup packed fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons pure cane sugar
2 ounces dark rum
In a small saucepan set over high heat, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the tea bags, mint, and sugar, remove the pan from the heat, and cover. Let steep for 5 minutes.
Remove the tea bags, strain into 2 heatproof mugs, and add the rum. Serve hot.
CIDER PUNCH
140 calories per serving
(with diet ginger ale: 119)
This punch, full of fall flavors and ingredients, would be perfect served at a Halloween party or after a day of apple picking. Serves 6
2 cups sparkling cider
6 ounces brandy
1 small orange, halved and thinly sliced
1½ cups regular or diet dry ginger ale
1 small Granny Smith apple, cored, halved, thinly sliced, and put in the freezer
In a pitcher, combine the cider, brandy, and orange slices. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
Remove the orange slices from the pitcher and set aside. Divide the mixture among 6 punch glasses or champagne flutes and top with a splash of ginger ale.
To serve, garnish with a few frozen apple slices and a reserved orange slice, if desired.
