Holidays are the perfect time for gatherings and parties, where enjoying a drink or two is almost inevitable! Nutritionists have compiled a calorie ranking of 12 popular cocktails, including Long Island Iced Tea and Martinis. They also recommend 16 non-alcoholic beers and wines, some with zero calories. Which one is your favorite, and which packs the most calories?
Comparing 6 Types of Alcoholic Beverages
The nutritionist team at "尚營坊" stated on their Facebook page that alcoholic beverages can enhance the festive atmosphere of parties. However, they remind everyone that the higher the alcohol content, the higher the calorie count.
Here is the typical alcohol content of common alcoholic beverages:
- Beer: 5%
- Wine: 11-13%
- Japanese Sake: 15%
- Japanese Shochu: 25%
- Spirits: 40-57%
- Chinese High-proof Baijiu: 50%
Calorie Comparison of 12 Cocktails
The "尚營坊" nutritionist team listed a calorie ranking for 12 cocktails, noting that alcohol content and sugar levels significantly affect a cocktail's calorie count.
- Manhattan: 222 kcal | Base: Whiskey, Vermouth | Sugar: 1.0g | ABV: 31%
- Martini: 189 kcal | Base: Gin, Vermouth | Sugar: 5.2g | ABV: 23.9%
- Old Fashioned: 164 kcal | Base: Whiskey, Bitters | Sugar: 5.6g | ABV: 20.2%
- Pina Colada: 151 kcal | Base: Rum | Sugar: 17.6g | ABV: 7.9%
- Mai Tai: 149 kcal | Base: Rum, Triple Sec | Sugar: 12.8g | ABV: 11.9%
- Margarita: 122 kcal | Base: Tequila | Sugar: 16.1g | ABV: 8.2%
- Long Island Iced Tea: 107 kcal | Base: Rum, Gin, Vodka, Tequila, Triple Sec | Sugar: 8.4g | ABV: 10.4%
- Jagerbomb: 202 kcal* | Base: Jägermeister | Sugar: 16g | ABV: 5.3%
Note: Calorie count may be high due to energy drink mixer. - Orange Blossom: 98 kcal | Base: Gin | Sugar: 7.9g | ABV: 8.1%
- Gin & Tonic: 84 kcal | Base: Gin | Sugar: 6.6g | ABV: 8.5%
- Bloody Mary: 73 kcal | Base: Vodka | Sugar: 2.3g | ABV: 7.8%
- Mojito: 61 kcal | Base: Rum | Sugar: 1.8g | ABV: 7.6%
Note: Due to unique bartender recipes, nutritional values can vary. The above data is for reference only.
Recommended: 16 Non-Alcoholic Beers and Wines
Beer and wine are also essential at dining tables. The "尚營坊" team recommends 16 non-alcoholic options—lower in calories, with some being zero-calorie choices.
8 Non-Alcoholic Beers (4 are Zero-Calorie)
- Bundaberg Diet Ginger Beer: 31 kcal (1 bottle)
- Carlsberg Alcohol Free Beer: 63 kcal (1 bottle)
- Carlsberg Alcohol Free Pilsner: 66 kcal (1 can)
- Krombacher 0.0% Zero Alcohol Beer: 27 kcal
- Orion Clear Free Beer: 0 kcal (1 can)
- Suntory All-Free Beer: 0 kcal (1 can)
- Kirin Body Free Beer: 0 kcal (1 can)
- Asahi DRY ZERO: 0 kcal (1 can)
8 Non-Alcoholic Red/White Wines (Per 100ml small glass)
- Le Petit Beret Cabernet Sauvignon: 21 kcal
- Le Petit Beret Blanc de Blancs: 17 kcal
- MCGUIGAN Zero Non-alcoholic Shiraz: 29 kcal
- MCGUIGAN Zero Sauvignon Blanc: 24 kcal
- MCGUIGAN Zero Sparkling: 33 kcal
- MCGUIGAN Zero Rosé: 22 kcal
- Le Petit Beret Sparkling Rosé: 13 kcal
- Elivo Zero Zero Deluxe Sparkling Rose: Negligible calories
3 Tips for Drinking to Avoid Excess Calories
The "尚營坊" team reminds that bartenders' unique recipes make precise nutrition estimates difficult, so the data above is for reference. However, keeping these three points in mind during gatherings can help prevent excessive calorie intake:
- Higher Alcohol Content = Higher Calories: Alcohol provides 7 kcal per gram, second only to fat (9 kcal/gram). Spirits like whiskey and vodka (~40% ABV) are very high in calories even in a small serving.
- Cocktails are High in Sugar: To enhance flavor and make drinks more palatable, bartenders mix spirits with fruit juices and syrups, drastically increasing sugar and calorie content. Unique recipes make calories even more unpredictable.
- Drink Slowly, Drink Less: It's recommended to focus more on conversation – drink less and chat more – to reduce calorie consumption.
