Cheers! Raise a glass to your health

By the Editors of Women’s Health

updated 10:44 a.m. ET Dec. 31, 2008

Absolut Vanilia infused with lavender
During the hellidays, stress levels soar higher than the star atop the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. For eons, lavender has been used to melt mental tension and relax muscles (hanging strings of lights can do a number on your back). And new research confirms that the scent of lavender can improve sleep.

Bacardi Peach infused with ginger and clove
Ginger can ward off the only things scarier than a week-long ski trip with the in-laws: cold and flu bugs. (Imbibed post-snowboarding, this drink's natural heat will thaw you out, too.) Add cloves and enjoy a concoction that tastes like peach pie and is rich in fatigue-fighting omega-3s and bone-building manganese.

Absolut Citron infused with cardamom
Spicy-sweet, exotic cardamom fires up your metabolism, so no worries about wearing a pencil skirt to the holiday office party. The Indian spice is also a firefighter, so it's a godsend for the heartburn you got scarfing down Uncle Ted's green-bean-and-fried-onion casserole.

Master mixer plan Use this recipe for each cocktail — just swap in a different liquor and spice. Step 1: Make a spice-infused simple syrup. In a pan over medium heat, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons of your ground spice of choice. Once the sugar dissolves, simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, allow to cool, and strain. Makes about 12 ounces. Step 2: Create the cocktail. Use a mixture of 2 tablespoons of ground spice and 2 tablespoons of sugar to coat the rim of a martini glass. Fill a shaker with ice, 3 ounces of your chosen liquor, 1 ounce of the simple syrup, and a splash of club soda. Shake well and strain into the glass. Makes 1 drink. — Recipe developed by Kristine Subido, executive chef at Wave, Chicago

Tanqueray gin infused with juniper
If December had a flavor, this pine-scented mix would be it. The slight bitterness makes it a tummy-soothing nightcap after an evening of gluttony, and studies show that juniper berries can prevent blood-sugar levels from spiking — so you can stay calm and composed even when you have every right to bludgeon your pushy cousin with a menorah.

Hennessy cognac infused with chili powder
A perfect drink to enjoy under the mistletoe. This zesty blend generates just enough heat to make your lips and tongue tingle — and to help you burn a few extra calories. Bonus: Two tablespoons of chili powder contain 88 percent of your recommended daily dosage of vitamin A, which fortifies mucus membranes to help hold off nasty winter viruses.

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