Low-Calorie Fall Drinks and Cocktails

By Lindsey Rykard

Fall is in the air and Halloween is around the corner. If you are like me, I bet pumpkin is on your mind. We all should enjoy the Holiday season without the added stress of falling off of our weight loss goals. I am here to do just that. Read below for delicious Fall drinks and cocktails. 

One way to spice up your coffee into a Fall drink is by making a syrup that can be added to your usual coffee drink. One of my favorite recipes to add to my coffee is the reduced sugar turmeric pumpkin spice coffee syrup prepared with spices and pumpkin. We all need a low-calorie syrup that adds flavor to our morning coffee without the added sugar and calories. 


Turmeric Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup- 27 kcal per serving

Recipe from Skinnyfitalicious.com

Ingredients— makes 20 servings

  • ½ cup maple syrup

  • ⅔ cup pumpkin purée

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon 

  • 1 tsp nutmeg

  • ½ tsp cloves

  • ¼ tsp turmeric 

Instructions

  1. Add Maple syrup, pumpkin puree, almond milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and turmeric to a small pot over medium heat. 

  2. Cook while stirring frequently until the ingredients are well combined, thickened, and fragrant. The sauce will be really when it is thick. 

  3. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. 

  4. Before transferring the syrup to a container that can be sealed and kept in the refrigerator, let it cool in the saucepan. 

  5. Any standard coffee (hot or iced) or espresso should have 1-2 tablespoons of the syrup added to it. 

You can then add more cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or turmeric, if you choose. To make your coffee incredibly frothy and thick, you may also add the syrup and blend it in. In the refrigerator, syrup lasts for 4-6 weeks.

Classic Pumpkin Spice Latte- 22 kcals per serving

A must have is a classic pumpkin spice latte drink to quickly start this Holiday season. This is a homemade pumpkin spice latte and is the homemade version of Starbucks! 

Receipe from Thebigmansworld.com

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup pumpkin puree

  • ¼ cup keto maple syrup

  • 1 ½ cups milk of choice

  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

  • 3-4 shots strongly brewed coffee or 3-4 shots espresso 

  • 1 serving keto whipped cream 

Instructions

  1. Combine pumpkin purée, keto syrup, milk and pumpkin pie spice in a small pot heated over medium heat.

  2. Once it starts to simmer, whisk everything together and turn off the heat. 

  3. Whisk in the already prepared coffee.

  4. Transfer to your glass of choice. 

  5. Add whipped cream and enjoy!

Now let’s get to the fun part–the cocktails. During the Holidays, we all want to kick back with friends or loved ones and enjoy time with them. Enjoying low-calorie alcoholic beverages lets you do such with the added privilege of not being stressed about deterring from your weight loss goals. The following are some recipes to make this process less stressful for you.

Pumpkin Pear Chai Bourbon Smash- 120 calories

Receipe by Abbeyskitchen.com

Ingredients 

Pumpkin Syrup:

  • 1 cup water

  • ½ pear diced

  • 3 tbsp pumpkin purée

  • ¼ cup maple syrup

  • 1 ½ inch chunk of peeled ginger sliced

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

  • 1 chai tea bag

Cocktail

  • 8 oz Bourbon 

  • 12 oz pumpkin syrup (above)

  • 8-12 oz club soda depending on how strong you want it 

  • 8 pieces candied ginger 

Instructions

  1. In a little saucepan, bring the water to a rolling boil. 

  2. Add the pear, maple, pumpkin, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, and lemon juice once it has reached a rolling boil. Five minutes of simmering under cover. 

  3. Add the vanilla bean and chai tea bag after turning off the heat, and let the mixture cool completely. 

  4. Remove all of the pear, ginger, and tea pieces with a slotted spoon, and set them aside. 

  5. Pour the 1 oz of bourbon and 1 1/2 oz of pumpkin syrup into a mixer with ice to make a cocktail. 

  6. Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled. 

  7. Strain into a cup. 

  8. Add a splash of club soda on top, then add some candied ginger as a garnish.

The cold weather is upon us and this warm chai tea cocktail will be the perfect drink to cuddle up next to a loved one on a chilly day. The following recipe serves two people to be joined with your loved one.


Vegan Dirty Chai Tea Cocktail- 190 kcals 

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups almond milk

  • 2 tea bags

  • 2 Cinnamon sticks

  • 2 whole Star anise

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • ¼ cup almond creamer

  • 2 oz Kahlua 

  • Maple syrup to liking 

  • Cinnamon for finishing on top 

  • Vegan whip cream optional

Instructions

  1. Almond milk should be brought to a simmer in a small saucepot. 

  2. Cover the mixture and let the tea bags, cinnamon, and star anise soak for 15 minutes. 

  3. Tea bags, cinnamon, and star anise should be taken out before heating only until warm. 

  4. Add the vanilla, almond creamer, kahlua, and maple syrup to taste. 

  5. Pour into two mugs.

  6. Top with cinnamon and serve warm.

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Vanessa Carrillo