What Contributes to the High Calorie Count?
The trashcan drink is notorious for packing a significant caloric punch. A standard recipe usually contains six different types of alcohol, including vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, blue curaçao, and peach schnapps. Each ounce of these liquors contributes approximately 65-100 calories. When you combine multiple shots, the alcohol calories add up quickly. A full 8.4-ounce can of a typical energy drink, like Red Bull, adds a substantial amount of sugar and around 110 calories on its own. When you mix all these elements together in a large pint glass, the total number of calories can rival that of a small meal.
Breaking Down the Calories by Ingredient
To understand the total, it's helpful to see the individual contributions. Using a common recipe with 1 ounce of each main spirit and half an ounce of the liqueurs, we can perform a rough calculation:
- 1 oz Vodka: ~65 calories
- 1 oz Gin: ~65 calories
- 1 oz Rum: ~65 calories
- 1 oz Triple Sec: A shot can be around 150 calories, so 1 oz is about 100 calories
- 1 oz Blue Curaçao: A liqueur, similar to triple sec, adding a significant amount of sugar. Around 100 calories per ounce is a fair estimate.
- 1/2 oz Peach Schnapps: A sweet liqueur. About 50 calories for this small amount.
- 8.4 oz Red Bull: Approximately 110 calories.
Adding these up gives a baseline of around 555 calories for a potent version. Small recipe variations, different brands, and variations in pour sizes can easily shift this figure up or down.
How Recipe Variations Change the Calorie Count
Trashcan drinks are not standardized cocktails like a Martini or Manhattan. There are multiple recipes, and each one can yield a different calorie total. Some variations use less of each liquor, while others might add sour mix or more fruit juice, which also contain sugar and calories. For example, a version found on Reddit uses half-ounce pours of several spirits, and some people may use diet energy drinks to reduce the sugar and calorie content. This means an 'Irish Trash Can' can range from a slightly less caloric version to an even more indulgent one depending on the bartender or recipe followed.
Comparison Table: Trashcan vs. Other High-Calorie Cocktails
| Drink | Standard Ingredients | Estimated Calories | Key Calorie Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trashcan Drink | Vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, blue curaçao, peach schnapps, energy drink | 350-550+ | Multiple high-proof liquors, sugary liqueurs, sweetened energy drink |
| Long Island Iced Tea | Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, lemon juice, cola | ~250-300 | Multiple liquors, syrupy triple sec, sugar in cola and sour mix |
| Piña Colada | Rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice | ~490 | Sugary coconut cream, pineapple juice |
| White Russian | Vodka, Kahlúa, heavy cream | ~285 | Sweet liqueur (Kahlúa), high-fat cream |
| Whiskey Sour | Whiskey, lemon juice, sugar syrup | ~155 | Sugar syrup |
Calorie Calculation Method for Any Mixed Drink
For those interested in calculating calories for mixed drinks, a general rule is to start with the components. One gram of pure alcohol contains 7 calories. Knowing the Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of the spirits used is key. From there, you add the calories from the mixers. Syrupy mixers and sweetened juices will increase the total significantly. This method is crucial for estimating the calorie content of custom or non-standardized cocktails like the trashcan drink, which can vary widely in ingredients and measurements.
How to Create a Lower-Calorie Version
If the calorie count of a traditional trashcan drink is a concern, there are ways to create a lighter version without sacrificing all the flavor. You can swap the standard, full-calorie energy drink for a sugar-free or diet version. Using smaller pours of the high-sugar liqueurs, such as the triple sec and blue curaçao, will also reduce the total calorie and sugar content. Focusing on the main spirits and adding more low-calorie mixers, like seltzer water or diet soda, can help make the drink less calorically dense while retaining the spirit base.
Conclusion: A High-Calorie Cocktail
In conclusion, the calorie count of a trashcan drink is exceptionally high, primarily due to the combination of multiple liquors and a full can of sweetened energy drink. While the precise number can vary based on the specific recipe and pour, a reasonable estimate places it between 350 and over 500 calories per glass. This makes it one of the most calorically dense cocktails available. For those watching their calorie intake, understanding the contributing factors—the volume of high-proof alcohol and the sugary mixers—is essential. Opting for a modified, lower-sugar version is the best way to enjoy a similar flavor profile with a significantly lower caloric impact.
