Thanksgiving is the official kickoff to the holiday season – and more than a month filled with cocktail parties and family dinners … and the dreaded holiday weight gain that comes with them. While heavy seasonal dishes and an abundance of cookie trays are surely to blame, the cocktail you’re sipping on the side is adding some liquid calories to your tally that many people overlook.

A cocktail can run you anywhere from 100 calories for a simple vodka-soda to over 300 calories for a holiday specialty like spiked eggnog. But it doesn’t seem that the empty calories are deterring us from imbibing: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s top the list for the highest grossing sales of wine and spirits. And according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, a quarter of the $49-billion-a-year distilled spirits industry’s profits come from the month between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

“There are a few reasons it pays to be a little less jolly over the holidays. For one, calories from the extra drinks can really add up, especially if you're drinking sugary cocktails. Plus, drinking lowers our inhibitions so while you might have had every intention to say no thank you to dessert, a few drinks in might weaken your resolve,” says Samantha Cassetty, RD. “On top of that, overdoing it can interfere with restorative sleep, which can then mess with your appetite-regulating hormones and drive cravings for less healthy food. Plus, sugary cocktails tend to produce worse hangovers, and when was the last time you reached for a big salad with lean protein after a night of excessive drinking?”

While keeping our consumption in check is important, that doesn’t mean you need to miss out on all the fun. Cassetty reminds us that the daily recommended intake for alcohol caps women at one drink per day and men at two. When you do choose to imbibe, reach for a cocktail that is low in added sugars and make it festive with these easy tricks.

Tips for a Healthier Holiday Sip

“When you're hitting the party circuit, don't forget that most drinks are customizable to include less simple syrup or flavored mix-ins. It never hurts to ask!” says Cassetty. “Finally, I always suggest holding off on cocktails until you're starting your main course. This helps slow down drinking and helps you stay within limits without being a total scrooge!”

If you’re hosting a cocktail party or holiday dinner, getting creative with your ice cubes is one way to keep the evening festive while cutting back on added sugars.

Fruit ice cubes made with 100% cranberry juice. Emily Slawek

Mixer cubes: “Making cocktail ice cubes keeps things festive and provides a punch of flavor so you can limit the sugary mix-ins,” says Cassetty. “100 percent fruit juice is naturally sweet — it doesn't contain any added sugar — so it's a healthier alternative to traditional cocktail mixers.” Simply freeze the juice of your choice into ice cube trays; once frozen, drop it into a glass, add liquor of choice, and top with club soda for a light and refreshing sip.

Cranberry, rosemary and mint ice cubes. Emily Slawek

Herbs and fruit: “Combining fresh fruit and herbs is another way to liven up your drink without ramping up your sugar intake,” says Cassetty. You can always drop them into the bottom of your glass and muddle them into your cocktail, but we prefer taking it a step further and freezing them into ice cubes. It adds a fun pop of color to your glass and will feel festive for your guests — and as they melt they infuse even more flavor into your drink! Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover herbs that would otherwise get tossed. Simply rip herbs into small pieces and dice larger fruit like oranges or lemons (berries can remain whole), drop into an ice cube tray, fill to the top with water, and freeze.

Be the hostess with the mostess

So watch out for added sugars and don’t go overboard at the open bar at your office holiday party — got it. But the holidays are a time for gathering and celebrating with those we love, and there’s nothing wrong with indulging a little on a festive sip. Cassetty’s philosophy is always “everything in moderation,” and when we do indulge, she encourages us to make it worth every bite (or sip).

“If you'd feel like you were really missing out by passing up on a specialty cocktail, then by all means, enjoy it,” says Cassetty. “Take a mindful approach to your drinks and your food and decide which ones are worth the splurge and which ones don't excite you. Chances are, you won't love and enjoy every indulgence equally so rank the ones that stand out as 110 percent worth it and skip the rest. If a cocktail makes the cut, connect with the festive feelings and love every sip!”