You can lighten a traditional recipe by using egg whites instead of whole eggs or by borrowing techniques from vegan nogs. Oat milk, Greek yogurt<\/a>, or soaked cashews can create a creamy base and even add more protein than an egg. Cinnamon sticks and nutmeg also help recreate the familiar flavor.<\/p>\n 2. Mulled Cider \u2192 Apple Peel Tea <\/p>\n MargJohnsonVA \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n If you\u2019re avoiding alcohol, a mulled cider may not be on your menu this year. Plain apple cider, even without rum, may also be sweeter than you\u2019d like if you\u2019re watching your sugar intake.\n<\/p>\n You can recreate the comforting drink with a simple apple peel tea, a recipe that could come in handy if you\u2019ve been baking and have extra peels or cores. These scraps contain nutrients and fiber, so they\u2019re worth repurposing.\n<\/p>\n Simmer them on the stove with fresh ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and anise for about an hour, adding the spices toward the end. Strain and serve.\n<\/p>\n 3. Gingerbread Latte \u2192 Ginger Herbal Tea <\/p>\n BURCU ATALAY TANKUT \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n Lattes made with whole milk and flavored syrups can be high in calories and sugar.\n<\/p>\n Herbal ginger<\/a> tea is a zingy swap. If you want to make it a little creamier, add skim milk or unsweetened almond<\/a> or soy milk<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n 4. Peppermint Mocha \u2192 Peppermint Tea Latte <\/p>\n Vadym Terelyuk \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n Mochas can contain far more calories, fat, carbs, and sugar than you might expect in a small cup. You can still get a caffeine boost with a festive flavor by swapping the higher-calorie ingredients for more nutritious options.\n<\/p>\n The peppermint mocha flavor usually comes from sugary syrups, but sugar-free versions exist. A lower-calorie approach is to steep an herbal peppermint tea bag<\/a> in milk.\n<\/p>\n Choose dairy alternatives<\/a> based on your goals: unsweetened almond milk<\/a> works well if you\u2019re watching carbs, skim milk provides a lower-fat option, and nut milks generally run lower in carbs than rice or soy.\n<\/p>\n 5. Classic Sweet Hot Cocoa \u2192 Spicy Hot Chocolate <\/p>\n fcafotodigital \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n Traditional hot chocolate tends to be high in calories, sugar, and carbs. While reduced-sugar and sugar-free mixes exist, they often contain substitutes and additives you may want to avoid.\n<\/p>\n Making your own at home is easy with the right ingredients. Start with dark chocolate<\/a> (70% or higher) or cacao powder, which has fewer calories, less sugar, and more antioxidants. Balance the bitterness with cinnamon, nutmeg, or a splash of vanilla extract. You can add a pinch of cayenne for extra depth.\n<\/p>\n For a creamier texture, use a small amount of coconut or unsweetened almond milk. If you still want added sweetness, try a sugar alternative like monk fruit<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Healthcare](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/norman-dd595cddde654266bd40199db77e316f.jpg\")
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