How Many Calories Are in Crisp and Dry? Decoding the Answer

January 14, 2026 •

4 min read

The phrase "crisp and dry" is commonly confused, as it can refer to anything from a high-calorie cooking oil to a glass of low-calorie white wine or a sugary cider. Knowing the context is crucial because the calorie content differs drastically, making it impossible to give a single number for how many calories are in crisp and dry.

Quick Summary

This guide examines the different products labeled or described as 'crisp and dry,' including cooking oil, white wine, and cider, providing specific calorie details for each.

Key Points

Oil vs. Beverage: "Crisp and dry" can describe high-calorie cooking oil (Crisp 'N Dry), low-calorie dry white wine, or varying-calorie cider.
Oil Calories: A single tablespoon (15ml) of Crisp 'N Dry cooking oil contains about 124 calories, coming mostly from fat.
Wine Calories: A 150ml glass of crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio typically contains 90 to 125 calories, with the amount tied to its alcohol content.
Cider Calories: Crisp and dry ciders can have significantly more calories than dry wines due to higher residual sugar, with some 500ml cans exceeding 200 calories.
Check Labels: To get an accurate calorie count, always check the specific product's label for its ABV and nutritional information, as the term "crisp and dry" is not a universal metric.

Understanding the 'Crisp and Dry' Confusion

The phrase "crisp and dry" doesn't denote a single product but rather a category of items or a specific brand name. This ambiguity is the source of all the confusion around its caloric content. The answer depends on whether you are referring to a cooking oil, a type of white wine, or a specific brand of cider.

Crisp 'N Dry Cooking Oil

Crisp 'N Dry is a brand name for a popular rapeseed cooking oil sold in the UK. Because it is a pure oil, its calorie content is very high, just like any other cooking oil.

A single tablespoon (15ml) contains approximately 124 calories.
Per 100ml, this oil contains a significant 825 calories, most of which comes from fat.
This product is free from artificial additives and high in Omega-3 fatty acids, but should be used sparingly due to its high energy density.

Crisp and Dry White Wine

In wine terminology, "crisp" refers to a wine's high acidity, and "dry" means it is not sweet. These characteristics often indicate a lower calorie content compared to sweeter wines. The calories come primarily from the alcohol content, with residual sugar being minimal.

Examples of crisp, dry white wines include:

Sauvignon Blanc: A 150ml (5 oz) glass typically has 90 to 125 calories.
Pinot Grigio: A similar-sized glass contains approximately 90 to 125 calories.
Riesling (Dry): A dry Riesling has around 100 to 120 calories per 150ml glass.

Crisp and Dry Cider

Some brands, like the Annapolis Cider Company, produce a cider explicitly labeled "Crisp & Dry". The calorie content of cider can vary greatly depending on its alcohol by volume (ABV) and sugar content. Sweeter ciders tend to have more calories than drier ones.

Annapolis Crisp & Dry Cider (6 x 355ml cans): This product is described as off-dry and contains 7.7% alcohol by volume. Calorie content would depend on the final ABV and residual sugar, but for comparison, some sources show a 500ml bottle of cider having between 175 and 261 calories, with higher ABV versions being more caloric.
Factors Affecting Cider Calories: Industrial ciders often have added sugars, increasing their overall calorie count compared to artisanal, dry-fermented versions.

Comparison of 'Crisp and Dry' Products


Product	Approx. Calories	Per Serving Size	Primary Calorie Source	Notes
Crisp 'N Dry Oil	124 kcal	15ml (1 tbsp)	Fat	High energy density.
Dry White Wine	90–125 kcal	150ml (5 oz) glass	Alcohol	Calories increase with ABV.
Crisp & Dry Cider	~200+ kcal	500ml can	Sugar and Alcohol	Varies by ABV and sweetness level.

Why Calorie Awareness Matters

Understanding the calorie content of what you consume is essential for managing your diet and maintaining a healthy weight. Since alcohol and oils are both very high in calories (7 kcal per gram for alcohol, 9 kcal per gram for fat), they can contribute significantly to your daily intake without providing much nutritional value.

Tips for Reducing Calorie Intake from Beverages:

Choose Lower ABV Options: Opt for lower-alcohol wines or ciders to reduce the number of calories per glass.
Alternate with Water: Having a glass of water between alcoholic drinks can help reduce your overall calorie and alcohol consumption.
Select Truly Dry Wines: Wines labeled "brut" or "extra brut" (for sparkling) and dry still wines have very little residual sugar, lowering the calorie count.
Measure Portions: Be mindful of serving sizes, as a generous pour of wine can easily exceed the calories of a standard glass.

The takeaway on "crisp and dry"

In conclusion, the caloric value of a product described as "crisp and dry" is entirely dependent on whether it is a cooking oil, white wine, or a cider. While a dry white wine represents one of the lower-calorie alcoholic options, a bottle of cooking oil, despite a similar descriptor, is exceptionally high in calories. Always check the specific product label to understand its nutritional information and make an informed choice for your diet. For more information on calories and alcohol consumption, consult resources like the UK's National Health Service advice on alcohol and calories.

Factors Influencing Calorie Content

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): The primary driver of calories in alcoholic drinks. Higher ABV means more calories.
Residual Sugar: Unfermented sugars left in the beverage contribute significantly to calories, especially in sweeter ciders and dessert wines.
Serving Size: The volume of the pour directly impacts total calorie consumption.
Product Type: As demonstrated, the base product (oil, wine, or cider) is the most important factor in determining the calorie count.

The Importance of Label Reading

Making informed choices about your calorie intake starts with reading and understanding product labels. Whether it's a bottle of wine listing its ABV or a can of cider detailing its sugar content, the information is there. The confusion around "crisp and dry" highlights the need to look beyond marketing terms and investigate the specific nutritional facts of what you are consuming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Crisp 'N Dry is a brand of rapeseed cooking oil. A 15ml tablespoon of this product contains 124 calories, while 100ml contains 825 calories, primarily from fat.

A standard 150ml glass of a dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, typically contains between 90 and 125 calories. The exact amount depends on its Alcohol by Volume (ABV) and any minimal residual sugar.

No. For wine, "crisp" refers to high acidity and "dry" means not sweet. For cider, it can describe a specific brand or style, and calorie content can vary more widely due to differences in sugar levels and fermentation.

A crisp cider typically has more calories than a dry white wine, primarily due to higher sugar content. Some 500ml ciders can have over 200 calories, whereas a 150ml glass of dry wine is usually 90-125 calories.

Most calories in alcoholic beverages come from the alcohol itself, which contains 7 calories per gram. The rest comes from residual sugar and other carbohydrates from the fermentation process.

Yes, many producers now offer alcohol-free alternatives to wine and cider. These products are significantly lower in calories, as they lack the high energy density of alcohol.

Cooking oil is a pure fat, and fat contains 9 calories per gram—the highest energy density of all macronutrients. Therefore, even a small amount like a tablespoon has a high-calorie count.