Oh the joys of the holidays… There’s nothing like getting together with friends and family to celebrate and toast to a great year. Just be smart about what’s in your raised glass. Do you really know what’s in that cocktail?
Holiday weight gain is not just from cookies, treats, or eating too much! It’s also contributed to cocktails loaded up with extra sugars in the drink. If you’re mindful of what’s in the food and drinks you intake, you can prevent ingesting any extra – unneeded calories this season.
You can have your booze and drink it too but with healthier options. This season, try making ‘healthier’ holiday cocktails that will keep you happy (cheers!) and focused on your health for the new year.
This blog highlights 5 festive holiday drinks and provides 3 different circuit workouts to work off those extra calories to keep your body on track. Cheer & Enjoy!
HOLIDAY SIPPERS & BURNER WORKOUT
These holiday drinks are not only festive, but they are made with a low-cal option and taste great too! The beauty of concocting your own drink is that you can pick and choose the ingredients you want to use, scale it down or even add other spices.
Following each drink recipe, you will find a suggested circuit workout that will help burn off the extra calories with 3 powerful moves. It’s quick, efficient, and will keep your fitness in check while enjoying the festivities of the season.
NOTE: These cocktails contain alcohol in the ingredients but can always be omitted! Please drink responsibly and sweat it off regularly.
5 SEASONAL SIPPERS
Champagne & St. Germain
This classy mix may be a holiday cocktail favorite. It’s simple to make with only two ingredients. Add in some pomegranate seeds or cranberries for a red festive garnish.
Ingredients:
Mix It: Pour ingredients into a chilled flute glass and stir lightly. Top with garnishes and enjoy.
Non-spiked alternative: muddle limes, mint, ginger and combined with club soda for a refreshing bubbly treat.
<h3>Mulled Wine-o</h3>
A short list of ingredients is what will keep the calorie count down. In 20 minutes, you will have a seasonally spiced drink to keep you warm and toasty.
Ingredients:
Mix It: Combine all ingredients into a non-aluminum saucepan and bring to a simmer over high heat. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Get the glasses ready… strain when pouring. Serve warm and enjoy this full spiced treat.
Work it off with the ‘3 Leg Blasters’ routine!
Rosemary Gin-a-fizz Tree
This holiday inspired cocktail is easy and light to whip up for a festive treat.
Ingredients:
Mix It: In a shaker or small glass, muddle the fresh rosemary, lemon juice, and honey. Fill the glass with ice and pour in the gin. If you have a shaker or a closed container, shake it hard. Pour into a drinking glass and top it off with the soda.
Non-spiked alternative: leave out the gin.
Work it off with the ‘3 Core Moves’ routine.
Grinch-Tini
Splurge on this mean green cocktail treat. It will satisfy your sweet tooth and put you in the holiday spirits.
Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or coconut milk if you prefer)
1 cup creme de menthe
1/2 cup Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
Extra: Here’s an option to make a this an extra naughty, grinchy treat… Pour this drink over a scoop of coconut-based ice cream!
Mix It: In a shaker, mix all ingredients together over ice. Shake hard… serve chilled, ‘up’ in a martini glass and garnish it with something festive! (Makes 2 drinks.)
Non-spiked alternative: Omit the liquor. Use unsweetened chocolate peppermint almond milk instead of plain/ vanilla. (Trader Joes sells a great one!) Mix in the coffee for a little energy kick. Serve chilled or warm.
HoHo CoCo Love
Warm up with a boozy hot chocolate! This holiday sipper is big, bold, beautiful and overflows with festive goodness.
Ingredients:
Mix It: Heat the almond milk over light heat. While stirring, add in the cacao powder. Once heated, pour into a mug and adding the alcohol of choice. Sip with pleasure!
Extra: If you happen to be a coffee lover and have a Nespresso or a single coffee maker, add a coffee shot to this drink! It’s a delicious way to put an extra jump in your step.
Non-spiked alternative: Omit the liquor. Make it skinny by using a non-dairy base and water. Add in some mini marshmallows or a scoop of whipped cream for an added treat.
Sweat it off with the ‘3 Cardio Burners’ routine.
3 BURNER WORKOUTS
Directions: Choose a specific workout to burn off extra calories on your Total Gym.
Warm-up: Dynamically move for a few minutes to prepare your muscles.
Workout: Perform the workout in circuit form, one after the other without breaks.
REPS: 15-20
SETS: 1+ (repeat the circuit depending on your time)
Workout 1: 3 Cardio Burners
Accessory: squat stand
- Star jacks
- Bicycle jog crunch
- Pendulum jumps
Workout 2: 3 Core Moves
Whittle off the middle and develop your upper body strength with these core movements. It’s a dynamic trio to simultaneously train your body.
Accessory: cables
- Teaser roll up
- Crunch & punch
- Back extension sweeps
Workout 3: 3 Leg Blasters
Accessory: none
- Reverse lunge +pulse
- Lateral lunge +pulse
- Inner thigh sliders +pulse
- EXTRA BURN: Jump Lunges (then repeat circuit on other leg)
Be sure to check out how these exercises are performed to blast off those extra holiday calories on your Total Gym.
Let’s cheers to healthier, holiday drinks that raise your spirits, but not your jean size, so you can sip up a guilt-free festive treat!
Happy Holidays!
Maria
www.groovysweatstore.com
@GROOVYSWEAT 
