Swap that, sip this! Your smart guide to Christmas drinks

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the halls are decked, it’s cold outside and even our daily coffee fix has had an indulgently Christmassy makeover. But a single festive bevvy from a high street coffee shop could cost you more calories than an entire meal, and as many as 23 teaspoons of sugar…. yes, in just one drink.  

The newspapers this week are awash with reports of the sugar and fat content of seasonal hot drinks, exposing the most calorific and unhealthy options on the menu – which contain a shocking amount of calories.  

But we’ve found some calorie-cutting, sugar-saving options you can make at home… for a fraction of the cost too!  

Swap:  Caffe Nero Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate with skimmed milk and whipped cream (503 calories for a Grande 470mls) 

Sip: Sweet Freedom Caramel Chocolate (12 calories per teaspoon), skimmed milk (39 calories per 100ml) and Anchor squirty cream light (24 calories per 12.5g) 

Making a 470ml caramel hot chocolate with squirty cream at home will come to 255 calories, saving you 248 calories. You can skimp even more calories by making a smaller size, or use half hot water/half skimmed milk.  

Swap: Starbucks Gingerbread Latte made with oat milk (523 calories for a Venti 570ml) 

Sip: Beanies Coffee Gingerbread Flavoured Instant Coffee (>1 calorie) made with Barista oat milk (59 calories per 100ml)  

For a huge 570ml drink, your home-made gingerbread latte will come to 336 calories, saving you 187 calories from the Starbucks version. But Venti sized really huge, so by making your drink at home you have total control over the portion size and therefore the calorie intake. And if it’s just the gingerbread flavour you’re after, just make the instant coffee with water – under 2 calories per cup!  

Swap: EAT Honeycomb Hot Chocolate with Semi-Skimmed Milk (449 calories for a Regular 380ml)  

Sip: Options Belgian Honeycomb Hot Chocolate (39 calories) with water. Optional splash of milk for added creaminess.  

Depending on how you make your Honeycomb hot chocolate you can save up to 410 calories! A little Barista oat milk will add extra indulgence if you really want to push the boat out! 

Swap: Costa Irish Velvet & Cream Latte made with semi-skimmed milk (360 calories for Medio 477ml) 

Sip: Nescafe Gold Irish Latte (90 calories) 

The Nescafe Latte sachets are ready to be just mixed with hot water – no need to add extra milk – which will save you 270 calories on the Costa version!