How many calories are in a bottle of fizz?

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

An average 750ml bottle of sparkling wine, like Prosecco, can contain between 495 and 600 calories. Understanding precisely how many calories are in a bottle of fizz is complex, as the amount varies drastically depending on the type of beverage, its sugar content, and its alcohol by volume (ABV). From sparkling waters to sugary soft drinks and alcoholic bubbly, the calorie impact can be vastly different.

Quick Summary

The calorie count of a fizzy drink depends on its sugar and alcohol content. Sparkling wines like Brut Champagne offer fewer calories than sweeter varieties like Demi-Sec Prosecco, while soft drinks often contain high amounts of added sugar. The lowest-calorie fizz options are sugar-free sodas and plain sparkling water.

Key Points

Sources of Calories: The calories in fizzy drinks come primarily from sugar and alcohol, not from the carbonation itself.
Sparkling Wine Varies: Sweeter sparkling wines like Demi-Sec contain more calories (up to 600+ per bottle) than drier versions like Brut or Brut Nature.
Soft Drinks are Often High-Calorie: Sugary sodas contain a large number of empty calories from added sugars, linked to weight gain and disease.
Diet Drinks are Zero-Calorie: Diet or sugar-free sodas contain artificial sweeteners and provide zero calories.
Plain Sparkling Water is Best: Unflavored, unsweetened sparkling water is a calorie-free, hydrating choice.
ABV Matters: For alcoholic fizzes, a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) translates to a higher calorie count.

The Science Behind Calories in Fizzy Drinks

The calorie content in any sparkling beverage, or 'fizz,' comes primarily from two sources: sugar and alcohol. Fermentation turns the natural sugars from grapes into alcohol, a process that influences the final calorie count. Alcohol contains about 7 calories per gram, making it a significant contributor. Any remaining sugar, known as residual sugar, adds further carbohydrates and calories. For non-alcoholic fizzes, the calories are almost exclusively derived from added sugars or artificial sweeteners, which contain no calories.

How Calorie Count Varies in Sparkling Wines

Not all alcoholic fizz is created equal. Sparkling wines range from very dry (low sugar) to very sweet (high sugar), and this is the main differentiator in their calorie content. The terms used on labels indicate the sweetness level, and therefore, the residual sugar and calories:

Brut Nature/Zero Dosage: This is the driest style, with virtually no added sugar. It contains the fewest calories, often around 60-80 calories per 125ml glass.
Brut: The most common style, with a low sugar level, resulting in about 90-100 calories per glass.
Extra Dry: Despite the name, this is slightly sweeter than Brut and has a higher calorie count, with approximately 98-101 calories per glass.
Demi-Sec: A sweeter style, which can have significantly more calories, potentially reaching 110-120 calories per glass.

For a standard 750ml bottle, this can mean a total calorie count ranging from 495 to over 600 calories, or even higher for very sweet dessert-style sparkling wines.

Calories in Non-Alcoholic Fizzy Drinks

When it comes to non-alcoholic options, the difference is even more stark. Plain, unflavored sparkling water contains zero calories. However, many popular carbonated soft drinks are laden with added sugars and high-fructose corn syrup, resulting in a high calorie count. A single 12-ounce can of a typical sugary soda can contain over 150 calories and provides little to no nutritional value. Diet and zero-calorie versions use artificial sweeteners, which means they are calorie-free, but their health implications are still debated.

The Impact of Fizz Calories on Your Health

Consuming excess calories from any source, including fizzy drinks, can contribute to weight gain. Sugary beverages, in particular, are strongly linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The calories in sparkling wines, while also contributing to overall intake, are often consumed at a different pace and frequency than soft drinks. It is the regular, and often unthinking, consumption of high-calorie liquids that poses the most significant health risk over time.

Calorie Comparison: Sparkling Wine vs. Soda


Drink Type (per 125ml serving)	Typical Calories	Primary Calorie Source	Notes
Brut Sparkling Wine (e.g., Champagne)	90–100 calories	Alcohol and residual sugar	Moderate option for those consuming alcohol.
Prosecco (Brut)	80–100 calories	Alcohol and residual sugar	Often slightly lower in ABV than Champagne.
Demi-Sec Sparkling Wine	110–120 calories	Alcohol and high residual sugar	Sweeter and more calorific.
Sugary Soft Drink	~150 calories (for 355ml)	Added sugar/HFCS	High in empty calories; zero nutritional value.
Diet Soft Drink	0 calories	Artificial sweeteners	No caloric impact, but can have other health considerations.
Plain Sparkling Water	0 calories	None	The healthiest zero-calorie option.

How to Choose Lower Calorie Fizz

If you're looking to reduce your caloric intake from fizzy drinks, there are several straightforward strategies you can employ:

For sparkling wine: Opt for 'Brut' or 'Extra Brut' varieties over 'Extra Dry' or 'Demi-Sec'. The drier the wine, the less residual sugar it contains.
For soft drinks: Choose diet or zero-sugar alternatives. While the long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners are a topic of ongoing research, they offer a way to eliminate calories from the equation.
For everyday hydration: Flavor plain sparkling water with a slice of lemon, lime, or cucumber instead of choosing sweetened versions. This provides the fizz and flavor without any added calories or sugars.
Consider moderation: The number of glasses or cans you consume has a direct correlation to your total calorie intake. Reducing your consumption frequency or serving size will always have the most direct impact.

Conclusion

So, how many calories are in a bottle of fizz? The answer is not a single number but a spectrum ranging from zero in plain sparkling water and diet soda to over 600 calories in a sweet bottle of sparkling wine. The main factors driving this variation are the sugar and alcohol content. By understanding these components, consumers can make more informed choices, opting for drier wines, sugar-free soft drinks, or simple sparkling water to manage their caloric intake and overall health. A little knowledge about what's in your glass can go a long way in supporting a healthy lifestyle. For more information on calories in alcohol, visit the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's nutrition resource on sugary drinks at https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/healthy-drinks/sugary-drinks/.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 750ml bottle of Prosecco contains approximately 495 to 600 calories, with the exact number depending on its sweetness level (Brut, Extra Dry, etc.).

Plain, unflavored sparkling water has zero calories. Calories may be present if it has added sugar or fruit juice, so it's important to check the label.

The calorie content of Champagne and Prosecco can be very similar, though Prosecco often has a slightly lower ABV, which may result in fewer calories per glass compared to some Champagnes.

From a purely caloric perspective, diet fizzy drinks are better as they contain zero calories. However, some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may have other health implications, so plain water remains the best option.

Sweet sparkling wines like Demi-Sec have more calories because they have a higher residual sugar content. This sugar adds to the total calorie count alongside the calories from alcohol.

Yes, look for sparkling wines labeled 'Brut Nature,' 'Extra Brut,' or 'Brut,' as these have the lowest sugar content and, consequently, the fewest calories.

Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram, making it a major calorie contributor. Therefore, fizzy drinks with a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) will have more calories than those with a lower ABV, all else being equal.