Say Happy New Year with Sangria

Even if we have the best intentions, we usually gain at least a little weight over the holiday season. There are lots of extra goodies and candies floating around, so that accounts for some of the gain, but I think a lot of it comes from alcohol consumption. Did you know a single glass of eggnog can contain 500 calories and 20 grams of fat? Most holiday drinks are heavier than normal ones, but my favorite festive beverage minimizes excess calories without keeping you from enjoying the party!

December 20th was National Sangria Day, but I’m extending the celebration to New Year’s Eve. I’ll have champagne on hand of course, but instead of mixing margaritas or fruit punches, which can pack in sugar like you wouldn’t believe, I’m making sangria the life of my party (see my recipe below). A plain margarita may seem harmless, but it usually contains about double the calories for the same portion of sangria — not to mention extra sodium. Make your sangria with red wine, fresh cut fruit like apples, oranges, and strawberries with a touch of honey to sweeten, plus a bit of triple sec or brandy, and you can enjoy a glass for less than 200 calories and zero grams of fat. You can use white wine, instead, of course, but I like red since it has antioxidants and has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease when consumed in moderation. Treat your guests to a beverage they can enjoy without guilt!

Tanya’s Tip: To keep your mouth busy — and away from those pigs in a blanket — nosh on the fruit at the bottom of your glass.

Rachel’s Sangria

• 1 bottle red wine (chilled)
• 1/2 orange cut into wedges
• 1/2 apple cut into wedges
• 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 shot brandy
• 2 cups club soda

Instructions:

1. Pour wine into a pitcher and squeeze the juice from the orange wedges into the wine. Toss in the wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add apples, strawberries, honey, and brandy.
2. Chill overnight. Add club soda just before serving.

Nutrition content
Per serving (5 ounces): 150 calories, 17 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 1 g protein, varying amounts of polyphenols and flavinoids (heart healthy antioxidants) depending on type of red grape used

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