Low-Calorie Cider Cocktail for Grown-ups

Welcome to our Whole Life Challenge-compliant cocktail series from professional bartender Jenna Gruttadauria. Jenna practiced mixology at some of the most well-known bars and clubs in New York City before joining the Whole Life Challenge team. Now, she enjoys using her knowledge to make healthier versions of classic cocktails.

Who doesn’t love apple cider in the fall? It brings me back to my younger days of playing in leaves and carving pumpkins. But, now I’m a grownup.

So, I’ve created an adult version of this classic childhood drink that will have you wishing for sweater weather to come sooner. In this recipe, you’ll learn to make both the cider and the “adult” cocktail, so you’ll actually be creating something the whole family can enjoy.

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Low-Calorie Cider Cocktail for Grown-ups

I’ve created an adult version of this classic childhood drink that will have you wishing for sweater weather to come sooner. In this recipe, you’ll learn to make both the cider and the “adult” cocktail, so you’ll actually be creating something the whole family can enjoy.

Category Alcohol, Beverage

Compliance Level Kickstart

Total Time 4 hours

Servings 1

Author Jenna Gruttadauria

Ingredients

• 8-10 apples
• 4 pears
• 1/3 cup powdered stevia
• 6 tablespoons allspice
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 2 ounces whiskey
• 1/4 oz lemon juice
• Ice
• Soda water
• Whiskey

Instructions

Cider Directions:

1. Quarter the apples and pears and place in a large pot.
2. Fill the pot with water so the water line is just above the fruit.
3. Add stevia, allspice, and cinnamon
4. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered on high for an hour, checking often.
5. Turn heat down and let simmer, covered, for 2 more hours.
6. Allow to cool, then smash up your fruit to a pulp-like consistency.
7. Pour this mixture through a mesh strainer into a large bowl or pitcher.
8. Wrap the remaining pulp in two layers of cheesecloth and hold it over your bowl or pitcher. Squeeze the cheesecloth until no more juice comes out.

Cocktail Directions:

1. Measure 4 ounces of your cider.
2. Combine 2 ounces of whiskey, 4 ounces of cider, and lemon juice in a glass.
3. Add ice, fill glass with 2 ounces of soda water, and stir.

Recipe Notes

You can sprinkle your cocktail with cinnamon or add cinnamon sticks and an apple slice for garnish.

Note: We are not saying that alcohol is “healthy” to consume. (More on that here.) We are acknowledging that there are times we inevitably make the choice to imbibe (and we include ourselves in that “we”), and that there are better and worse ways to go about drinking alcohol when it comes to our health. Our goal is to empower you with lower-sugar, lower-calorie, still-fabulous recipes for these times.

Jenna Gruttadauria

Jenna is a wine-drinking, jewelry-making, dog-loving, snowboarding, running, beach-going, fun-loving soul whose heart beats for the city.

With an unshakeable entrepreneurial spirit and unrivaled work ethic, Jenna spent years working in the restaurant industry, developing her love of food and wine. Inspired by the king of all concrete jungles, New York, Jenna started her own successful fashion business, which moved her to the sunnier skies of Los Angeles, California.

A once self-proclaimed foodie who could never give up bread or cheese, she’s now welcomes the healthy, clean living lifestyle that California and the WLC make so easy. And she loves to take the recipes of her former life and transform them into healthier versions.