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Whether Christmas brings you warm fuzzy feelings of joy or hair-pulling levels of stress that needs to be numbed, no one could be blamed for enjoying a holiday tipple.
But some of the most classic yuletide drinks are a bit naughtier — and nicer — than others, according to Amy Shapiro, a New York City-based registered dietitian and nutritionist.
As with any alcohol, moderation is key — and if you’re only drinking these a few times a year, you’re not likely to do much harm.
But if for you, December ’tis the season of over-imbibing, you may want to opt for the drinks least likely to do damage.
Some holiday cocktail classics have some hidden health benefits, while others go heavy on calories and fat — but if your absolute favorite is the worst on your list, Shapiro has are some tweaks to make it a bit better for you.
Hot toddy
Shapiro names the hot toddy as the healthiest holiday drink option.
“All alcohol is unhealthy, but with that being said, if any of these were to be consumed all year-round I would suggest the hot toddy,” she told The Post.
It’s made only with spices, lemon, honey and liquor, which Shapiro says are “whole, simple ingredients” — and it’s also low-calorie and has no saturated fat.
And there are actually some health upsides: “Lemon is an amazing source of vitamin C, which is great for immunity, skin health and liver support. Cinnamon may help with weight loss, sweetens without calories and balances blood sugar levels.”
Though honey has some health benefits — it’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and an antioxidant, and studies show it may reduce heart disease and soothe gastro issues — Shapiro notes that it’s also an added sugar, meaning more calories and a higher risk of a hangover. But, she adds, that makes this drink customizable, and you can simply reduce the amount of honey you pour in.
Mulled wine
The second healthiest option is mulled wine, typically made with red wine, brandy, sugar or honey, orange, and spices like cloves and cinnamon.
“This is better than the others due to the limited amount of sugar and how that can be adjustable. There is no saturated fat in this recipe and there are some fresh ingredients like orange and spices,” Shapiro said. Plus, “Cloves are powerful digestive aids, are rich in cancer fighting antioxidants, help prevent bad breath and decrease inflammation.”
She recommends making yours with organic dry wine, which has antioxidants and is free from added sugars.
Hot buttered rum
Landing in the middle of the list is hot butter rum, which Shapiro says isn’t great health-wise — though there’s worse you can do.
“Mixing sugar, butter and alcohol does not have any health benefits,” she said. “With the butter addition, it will help to prevent blood sugar spikes — but this cocktail isn’t the worst or the best.”
Butter has lots of saturated fat, which can raise bad cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. But in moderation, it can also be a source of calcium, vitamins and beta-carotene, which helps your body with vitamin A and can lower your risk of lung cancer and prostate cancer.
Eggnog
It’s for the best that eggnog is pretty strictly limited to this time of year, as Shapiro says it’s one of the most unhealthy drink choices.
“Eggnog is unhealthy for a few reasons: It is high in fat and saturated fat, which is the type that clogs your arteries and can increase cholesterol and heart disease risk,” she warned.
“It also contains eggs, so for those making it at home there could be the risk of food-borne illness. Finally, it is high in sugar, too, making this a decadent treat.”
A small serving also typically contains hundreds of calories — but if you’re only enjoying it once or twice a year, you don’t have much to worry about.
Spiked hot chocolate
It’s no wonder that a spiked hot chocolate is such a holiday cocktail staple. Though there are a lot of ways to make it, the yummiest versions are typically a mix of heavy cream, hot cocoa and Kahlúa — and don’t forget the whipped cream on top.
“What makes it unhealthy is the milk or heavy cream, hot cocoa which is high in sugar and the Kahlúa, which itself contains 11g of carbs/sugar per serving,” Shapiro said.
It’s also a drink people are more likely to drink more often — including after the holidays, which can make those calories and that saturated fat add up.
The one upside? “Cacao, depending on which brand and how dark it is, contains antioxidants and may decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes.”
If you want to indulge in this treat more often, Shapiro suggests a few tweaks to make it healthier. First, swap milk or heavy cream with an unsweetened plant-based milk like almond. Choose cacao powder instead of hot chocolate mix and add in dark chocolate chips and cinnamon. To sweeten it, try monk fruit or stevia drops.
You can also make it a Mexican hot chocolate with a dash of cayenne and either mezcal or organic tequila, which one gastroenterologist says is the healthiest liquor.
“First, [tequila and mezcal] are different from other alcohols as they are stimulants instead of depressants, which may help your mood,” Shapiro said. “Second, they are made from 100% agave, which is rich in antioxidants and contains a fiber called inulin which can help with digestion and gut health. They are also free from sugar and lower in calories.”
