Lena Savoie
Alcoholic drinks contain calories that can quickly add up, with most drinks having little to no nutritional value. A standard serving of alcohol is 14 grams or 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, which is generally the amount found in a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof distilled spirits such as gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey. The number of calories in an alcoholic drink depends on various factors, including the type of alcohol, its proof or ABV, and any added mixers or ingredients. Pure alcohol contains roughly 7 calories per gram, which is almost as many as a gram of fat, and the higher the proof, the more calories it contains. Fortified wines, for example, tend to have a higher ABV and thus more calories. Additionally, cocktails mixed with soda, juice, cream, or ice cream can have especially high-calorie counts due to the added sugars and ingredients. Understanding the calorie content of alcoholic beverages is important for maintaining a healthy weight and preventing health problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories in an ounce of alcohol | Alcoholic beverages contain calories that can add up quickly. A standard drink is 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, generally found in 1.5-ounce shots of 80-proof distilled spirits like gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey. These shots contain about 97 calories. |
| Calories in other drinks | Cocktails mixed with soda, juice, cream, or ice cream can have higher calorie counts. Fortified wines, such as port and Madeira, tend to have higher ABV and calories due to added distilled spirits. Red wines also tend to have higher calories than other wine types. |
| Health considerations | Regularly drinking more than the recommended amount can impact your waistline and cause health issues. Men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, spread across 3 or more days. |
| Mindful drinking | Light and moderate drinking is not likely associated with weight gain. Being mindful of how much you drink and understanding the carbs, calories, and alcohol content can help. Vodka is often considered a low-calorie option, but sugary mixers can increase the calorie count. |
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What You'll Learn
Calories in liquor/distilled spirits
Alcoholic drinks can be high in calories, and drinking more than the recommended amount can impact your waistline and cause health problems. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a standard drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is generally the amount found in a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirit or liquor, such as gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey.
The number of calories in liquor or distilled spirits depends on the percentage of alcohol, or its proof. Pure alcohol contains roughly 7 calories per gram, almost as many as a gram of fat. The higher the proof, the more calories it contains. For example, a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof rum contains 97 calories, while a 1.5-ounce shot of 94-proof rum has about 116 calories. Similarly, a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof whiskey has 97 calories, and a 1.5-ounce shot of 94-proof whiskey contains 116 calories.
Vodka is considered a low-calorie alcoholic beverage compared to wine and beer. A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof vodka has 97 calories. However, the calorie count can increase when vodka is mixed with sugary drinks or juices.
Fortified wines, which have distilled spirits added during the winemaking process, tend to have a higher ABV and, therefore, more calories. A standard serving of fortified wine is around 3 ounces, which is smaller than a standard serving of regular wine (5 ounces), but will contain more calories.
Cocktails mixed with soda, juice, cream, or ice cream can have especially high-calorie counts. Some ways to reduce calorie intake while drinking include drinking low-calorie mixers like diet soda or club soda, having a glass of water after each alcoholic drink, and choosing healthier snacks to have with your drink.
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Calories in wine
Alcoholic drinks contain calories that can add up quickly, with little to no nutritional value. A typical glass of wine (5 oz) contains about 120 calories. The majority of the calories in wine come from alcohol, with the remaining calories coming from the sugar of the fruit. Generally, wines with high alcohol content have more calories than sweeter wines.
The calories in wine can vary depending on the type of wine and its alcohol content. For instance, a glass of light, dry white wine (e.g. Vinho Verde, Picpoul, Trebbiano) at 10% alcohol contains about 100 calories. A glass of red or white wine (e.g. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay) at 13% alcohol contains about 120 calories. A glass of bold, high-alcohol red wine (e.g. Zinfandel, Shiraz, Blends) at 15% alcohol contains about 130 calories.
Fortified wines, which have distilled spirits added during the winemaking process, tend to have a higher ABV and thus higher calories. A standard serving of fortified wine is around 3 ounces, compared to 5 ounces for 12% regular wine. Therefore, drinking the same volume of fortified wine versus regular wine will result in a higher calorie intake.
Champagne and sparkling wines also vary in their calorie content depending on their dryness and sugar content. The driest form of Champagne, Brut Nature or Zero Dosage, contains virtually zero grams of carbohydrates and about 100 calories per glass. A Brut Champagne has about 1 to 2 grams of sugar, resulting in approximately 106 calories per glass. A Demi-Sec will contain about 6 grams of sugar and 125 calories, while a Doux will have slightly more at 130 calories per glass.
It is important to note that the recommended serving size for sweet wines is smaller, typically around 2 oz. These wines are high in sugar and alcohol, with a recommended serving containing about 100 calories.
While wine may be associated with positive health outcomes, such as potential weight loss and heart-healthy properties, moderation is key. Dietary guidelines recommend a limit of one glass per day or fewer for women and two glasses or fewer for men to maintain healthy heart and liver functioning. Additionally, mixing wine with a carbonated drink or using a smaller glass can help reduce overall calorie intake.
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Calories in beer
Alcoholic drinks contain calories that can add up quickly, with a couple of drinks adding 500 calories or more to your daily intake. Beer is no exception to this. The sugar extracted from barley and grains is what causes beer to ferment, and the more sugar present, the more alcohol there will be, and therefore more calories. Generally, the higher the ABV, the more calories in your beer. For example, a lager with 4.5% ABV in a 12 oz serving will contain around 135 calories, while a 12 oz serving of a barrel-aged stout with 10.5% ABV will contain around 315 calories.
Fortified wines, which are wines with distilled spirits added during the winemaking process, tend to have a higher ABV and therefore more calories. A standard serving of fortified wine is around 3 oz, compared to 5 oz for regular 12% wine, which is why their calories per serving may not seem that high. However, drinking the same volume of fortified wine versus regular wine will result in a significantly higher calorie intake. Red wines, made from the fermentation of dark-skin grapes, tend to have a higher calorific value than other wine types.
Cocktails mixed with soda, juice, cream, or ice cream can have especially high-calorie counts. Liquor and cocktails tend to be higher in calories as they are high in carbs and alcohol content and provide no nutritional value.
There are some strategies to moderate your intake, such as drinking a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage and opting for non-alcoholic beers.
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Calories in cocktails
Alcoholic drinks contain a lot of calories—about 7 calories per gram, almost as many as a gram of fat. Fortified wines, such as port and Madeira, tend to have a higher ABV and, therefore, more calories. Red wines also tend to have a higher calorific value than other wines. Cocktails mixed with soda, juice, cream, or ice cream can have especially high-calorie counts. A vodka Jell-o shot, for example, contains 94 calories, while a shot of vodka contains 96 calories. A shot of rum contains 96 calories, a shot of tequila 104 calories, and a shot of whiskey 105 calories. A White Russian cocktail is another example of a high-calorie drink.
According to the CDC, a standard serving size is equal to 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, which is found in 1.5 ounces or a "shot" of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor (e.g. gin, rum, vodka, whiskey). Every ounce of 80-proof vodka contains about 65 calories, so a cocktail with 2.5 ounces of alcohol would contain a minimum of 130 calories, or about the same as a bottle of cheap beer. This doesn't include simple syrup, so the total is probably closer to 150 calories.
Some cocktails are lighter, with an Old Fashioned, Penicillin, or Boulevardier containing between 150 and 200 calories. These can be made even lighter by using slightly less sugar, honey, or syrup. It's important to be mindful of how much you drink and understand the nutritional content of your drinks. Drinking more than the recommended amount can have a noticeable impact on your waistline and cause serious health problems.
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Alcohol and weight gain
Alcoholic drinks contain calories that can quickly add up, with around 7 calories per gram, almost as many as a gram of fat. A standard serving size of alcohol is 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, which is found in 1.5 ounces or a "shot" of distilled spirits or liquor (e.g. gin, rum, vodka, whiskey). Fortified wines, which have distilled spirits added during winemaking, tend to have a higher ABV and thus more calories. Red wines, made from dark-skin grapes, also tend to have a higher calorific value than other wine types. Cocktails mixed with soda, juice, cream, or ice cream can have especially high-calorie counts.
While some research suggests that light to moderate drinking is unlikely to cause weight gain, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain in several ways. Firstly, alcohol prevents the body from burning fat. The liver, which processes and stores fat, carbohydrates, and protein, must prioritize breaking down alcohol ahead of these nutrients, slowing down the metabolic rate and reducing the amount of fat burned for energy. Secondly, alcohol is high in kilojoules or calories, providing a highly concentrated source of energy without any nutritional value. Thirdly, alcohol can stimulate hunger and cravings for salty and greasy foods, leading to increased calorie intake. Lastly, individual factors such as unique body composition, lifestyle, drinking frequency, and the type of drink can influence weight gain.
The relationship between alcohol consumption and weight gain is complex, with studies finding positive, negative, or no association. While weight gain may not be inevitable, excessive drinking is associated with serious health risks beyond weight gain, including high blood pressure, high triglycerides, insulin resistance, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Therefore, it is essential to practice mindful drinking, understand the calorie content of beverages, and stay within the recommended guidelines of no more than 14 units of alcohol per week for men and women.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcoholic drinks contain calories that can add up quickly, and most alcoholic drinks have little to no nutritional value. The number of calories in an ounce of alcohol depends on the type of alcohol and its proof. For instance, a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof whiskey contains 97 calories, while a 1.5-ounce shot of 94-proof whiskey contains 116 calories.
According to the CDC, a standard serving size of alcohol is equal to 0.6 ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol.
No, the number of calories in alcohol varies depending on the type and brand. For example, liqueurs tend to be higher in calories than liquors, and fortified wines have more calories per serve than regular wines.
Pure alcohol contains roughly 7 calories per gram, which is almost as many as a gram of fat (9 calories per gram) and is nearly twice as many calories per gram as protein or carbohydrates (4 calories per gram).
