Winter Drinks Recipes: 1

We usually envision that winter drinks ought to be high in calories and sweet in order to warm us up. Here is a list of healthier winter drinks that prove this is not always true. Enjoy!

 






Here is the first group of recipes:


1- Sleigh Driver (non-alcoholic punch): 

Profile: ...
Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients:

- 1 cup water

• - 1/2 cup sugar
• - 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
• - 3 pears, chopped into bite-size pieces, divided
• - 2 quarts apple cider
• - 1 lemon, halved and sliced
• - 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• - 1 cup fresh cranberries
• - 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Method:

1- Combine water, sugar, ginger and 1 pear in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Strain out the solids and return the mixture to the pan.

2- Add the remaining pears, cider, lemon and allspice and heat over medium-high heat, stirring often, for 15 minutes.

3- Add cranberries and vanilla and reduce the heat to medium-low (the liquid should be simmering, not boiling). Let simmer for 10 minutes more. Serve in heat-safe mugs.

4- Tip for making ahead of time: Let cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave on Medium.

• 
  

Nutritional value:

169 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 42 g carbohydrates; 0 gprotein; 2 g fiber; 2 mg sodium; 61 mg potassium.


2- Eggnog: 

Profile: low carbohydrate, high calcium
Time: 30 minutes working and 8 hours chilling time
Servings: 12 each about 1/2 cup

Ingredients:

- 6 cups 1% milk

• - 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, (see Tip)
• - 2 large eggs
• - 2/3 cup sugar
• - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• - 1/4 teaspoon salt
• - 1/4 cup brandy, bourbon or rum
• - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• - 1/4 cup light whipping cream

Method:

1- Bring milk and nutmeg to a simmer in a heavy medium saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.

2- Whisk eggs, sugar, flour and salt in a large bowl until smooth. Whisking constantly, gradually add hot milk; return mixture to saucepan.

3- Cook the eggnog over very low heat, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, 10 to 15 minutes. (Temperature must reach 160°F; do not let eggnog come to a simmer.) Remove from the heat and pour through a fine-meshed sieve into a bowl.

4- Whisk in brandy (or bourbon or rum) and vanilla. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the eggnog and refrigerate until chilled, for at least 8 hours or overnight.

5- Just before serving, add cream to eggnog. Ladle into cups and serve garnished with more grated nutmeg.

6- Tip for making ahead of time: The eggnog will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

•     Tip: Use a nutmeg grater or the tiniest holes of a box grater to grate whole nutmeg.

Nutritional value:

142 calories; 4 g fat ( 2 g sat , 1 g mono ); 48 mg cholesterol; 19 g carbohydrates; 6 g protein;0 g fiber; 127 mg sodium; 19 mg potassium.


3- Thick and Rich Hot Cocoa: 

Profile: diabetes appropriate, low carbohydrate
Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 each 1/3 cup

Ingredients:

- 2 1/4 cups nonfat milk

• - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• - 1/4 cup sugar
• - 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

Method:

1- Combine milk, cocoa, sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan. 

2- Cook over medium heat, whisking often, until steaming. 

3- Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until it comes to a boil, then remove from the heat.

Nutritional value:

98 calories; 2 g fat ( 1 g sat , 1 g mono ); 6 mg cholesterol; 19 g carbohydrates; 8 g added sugars; 5 g protein; 2 g fiber; 50 mg sodium; 109 mg potassium.


Source: 
Eating Well: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/healthy_winter_drink_recipes#leaderboardad