Over the festive period we all try to enjoy a good drink, and why shouldn’t we? It may be to celebrate family members coming back home or the dreaded but enjoyable work Christmas night out. Boot camp #AdventAbs isn’t about spoiling anyone’s fun, so here is our guide to drinks that will help you have a great time without carrying too many calories… remember to drink responsibly, though. In case you go too far, we’ll post some healthy hangover cures on the blog tomorrow.
Our guide won’t focus on a simple vodka and soda water, but exciting drinks that will get you in the Christmas spirit or give you the Dutch courage to ask out that new guy in the office. Our run through of the healthiest alcoholic beverages this Christmas will leave you feeling festive without the flab.
Classic Mojito
Place 4 wedges of lime, 10 fresh mint leaves and 2 tsp of sugar into a tall glass and smash to release the lime juice and the mint aroma.
Add 35ml of White Rum and crushed ice.
Top up with soda water and garnish with a sprig of mint. Easy.
Tip: be careful when ordering fruit flavoured Mojitos, as bars normally use high sugar fruit purée
Cosmopolitan
Chill your cocktail glass (the easiest way is to fill it with ice).
Put plenty of ice and 25ml Vodka, 10ml Cointreau, 40ml cranberry juice and a dash of lime juice into your shaker or stirring glass and shake or stir vigorously for about 20 seconds.
Strain the mix into a cocktail glass, garnish with orange zest.
Frozen Margarita
Fill a blender halfway with crushed ice. Add 50ml Tequila, 20ml lime juice and 15ml Triple Sec. Blend and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime.
Bloody Mary
Place the ice into a tall glass and add 50ml vodka.
Add the 10ml lemon juice, 6 dashes Worcestershire sauce, 3 dashes Tabasco sauce and 150ml tomato juice. Stir well.
Adjust the seasoning, to taste, with salt and pepper and a variety of vegetables
Apple Martini
Shake 50ml Vodka, 25ml Apple Schnapps and 15ml lime juice in a cocktail shaker with some ice. Now strain into a chilled glass and garnish with the apple slice. Drink immediately
Coors Light
This light American import, now popularised by Jean Claude Van Damme, has taken over the British bar scene. With it only packing 102 calories, you may want to overlook the taste.
Whisky Sours
In a rocks glass combine 35ml bourbon, 10ml lime juice, 10ml lemon juice, and tablespoon sugar. Using a spoon, stir until combined and sugar is dissolved. Add ice cubes. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. Done.
This wine offers elegant aromas of white fruit like peach with floral notes. The mouth is round and fresh with a long finish.
#AdventAbs exercise – the arms-high partial situp
You won’t get abs by doing endless crunches – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work those muscles. This is a gentle take on the traditional crunch, or sit-up, but is still tough and will give you an appropriate amount of ‘burn’!
Lie on your back, knees bent 90 degrees, and raise your arms straight overhead, keeping them pointing upward throughout the exercise. Sit up halfway and then return to the floor. Use a padded mat if needed.
Beginner: 3x 5 partial situps
Intermediate: 3x 8 partial situps
Advanced: 3x 10 partial situps
Pro: 4x 10 partial situps
