How Many Calories Are in Radler?

December 24, 2025 •

4 min read

While a standard 500ml can of non-alcoholic Radler might contain around 150 kilocalories, the exact amount can vary significantly based on brand and formulation. A Radler is a refreshing beer and fruit juice mixture, and understanding what influences its nutritional profile is crucial for managing your intake, especially compared to a traditional beer.

Quick Summary

The calorie content of a Radler depends heavily on the specific beer, the type and quantity of fruit juice or soda used, and its final alcohol by volume (ABV). The beverage's sweetness and ingredients are key determinants of its overall calorie count.

Key Points

Variable Calories: Radler calories are not consistent across all brands, with different ingredients and alcohol content causing significant variation.
Sugar Content: The sugar in the lemonade or juice mixer is a major contributor to a Radler's total calorie count, sometimes making it surprisingly high.
Alcohol Level: Lower alcohol by volume (ABV) generally means fewer calories, but high-sugar mixers can offset this benefit.
Non-Alcoholic Option: Zero-alcohol Radlers are the lowest-calorie option, making them a refreshing alternative for those monitoring their intake closely.
DIY Control: Making a Radler at home with light beer and sugar-free mixers gives you complete control over the calorie and sugar content.

Understanding the Radler: A Calorie Breakdown

A Radler, a German tradition, is a crisp and refreshing mix of beer and sparkling lemonade or fruit juice. Often perceived as a lighter alternative to beer, its calorie content is a common point of interest for health-conscious consumers. The number of calories in a Radler isn't fixed; it's a dynamic figure that changes based on several key factors, most notably the alcohol content, the type of juice or soda used, and the mixing ratio.

The Main Factors Influencing Radler Calories

The calorie composition of a Radler can be broken down by looking at its two primary components: the beer and the mixer. Here’s how each element contributes to the total count.

The Base Beer: A Radler can be made with a variety of light beers, such as a lager (Helles or Pilsner), wheat beer, or even an alcohol-free beer. The alcohol content of the beer is a major source of calories, with pure alcohol containing approximately 7 calories per gram. Higher ABV beers will contribute more calories before mixing. The residual sugars and carbohydrates from the grain also add to the calorie count.
The Mixer: Traditionally, a German Zitronenlimonade (lemon soda) or fruit juice is used. The sugar content of this mixer is a primary driver of calories. Sweetened sodas contain more sugar and thus more calories than freshly squeezed juice mixed with seltzer water. For example, a non-alcoholic Radler made with a sweetened mixer can increase the calorie content to around 30 kcal per 100 ml, compared to 20-25 kcal for just non-alcoholic beer.
The Mixing Ratio: A classic Radler uses a 50/50 ratio of beer to mixer. However, a bartender or brewer might use a different ratio, which directly impacts the final calorie count. A higher proportion of sugary lemonade will result in a more caloric drink, while more beer or a sugar-free mixer can reduce it.

Radler vs. Beer: Calorie Comparison

Many assume a Radler is always lower in calories than a regular beer because of its lower ABV. While this is often true, particularly for full-strength beers, it is not always the case. Some commercial Radlers, which use high-sugar mixers, can end up with a calorie count comparable to, or even higher than, a classic beer.

A 12-ounce (340ml) standard beer (5% ABV) has about 150 calories. Compare this to a 500ml non-alcoholic Radler with 150 kcal, and you can see how serving size and formulation are crucial. A Spanish consumer watchdog, for instance, found that some Radlers had 12% more calories than a normal beer, though 0.0% alcohol versions had significantly less.

Comparison Table: Calories in Different Radler and Beer Types


Beverage Type	Serving Size	Approximate Calories (kcal)	Key Factors	Citations
Stiegl Grapefruit Radler	500 ml can	150 (75 per glass)	All-natural grapefruit juice	,
Non-alcoholic Radler	100 ml	30	Uses sweet lemonade mixer
Gulpener Radler 0.0%	100 ml	27	Alcohol-free lemon variant
Radler (Unspecified)	1 can or bottle	130-132	Depends on brand and mixer
Standard Lager (5% ABV)	12 ounces (340ml)	~150	Higher alcohol content

Making a Healthier, Low-Calorie Radler at Home

For those wanting to enjoy a Radler with fewer calories, a homemade version offers full control over ingredients. The key is to reduce the sugar and alcohol content.

Here are some tips for a healthier Radler:

Choose the right beer: Opt for a light, low-calorie, or even non-alcoholic beer as your base. A Pilsner or a light German lager works well.
Select a low-sugar mixer: Instead of sugary lemonade, use freshly squeezed fruit juice (like lemon or grapefruit) and mix with seltzer, club soda, or sparkling water. For a very low-calorie version, use a sugar-free, naturally flavored sparkling water. The website International Desserts Blog provides a recipe using fresh juice and club soda.
Adjust the ratio: A 75/25 beer-to-mixer ratio will be lower in calories than a 50/50 mix, especially if the mixer is the primary source of sugar.
Add natural flavor: Garnish with a slice of fresh lemon, orange, or a sprig of rosemary for added aroma and flavor without extra calories.

The Nutritional Profile of Radler Beyond Calories

While calories are a main concern, it's worth noting the other nutritional aspects of a Radler. They are typically very low in fat and contain some carbohydrates from both the beer and the juice. Some non-alcoholic Radlers contain minerals like magnesium, sodium, and potassium, which are also found in isotonic sports drinks. This can make them a somewhat hydrating option, especially with the lower alcohol content compared to regular beer. However, the high sugar content in many pre-mixed varieties means they aren't necessarily a 'health food' despite the lower alcohol level.

Conclusion

To sum up, the calorie count for a Radler is not universal. It is influenced by the choice of beer, the type of mixer, and the preparation ratio. Commercial brands, non-alcoholic versions, and homemade concoctions will all vary significantly. While a Radler often provides a lower-calorie and lower-alcohol alternative to a traditional beer, it is essential to check specific product information or control the ingredients when making it at home. Those focused on calorie management can easily create a low-sugar version by using light beer and sugar-free mixers, enjoying the refreshing taste without the added guilt. For a more detailed guide on pairing flavors, the website Craft Beering offers great insights into radler variations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While a Radler has a lower alcohol content, the high sugar found in some commercial mixers can result in a calorie count similar to or even higher than a standard beer.

Both are beer and citrus mixers, often used interchangeably, but the calorie difference depends on their specific ingredients, not their name. A shandy often uses lemonade, while a Radler traditionally uses lemon soda, but modern variations blur the lines.

To make a low-calorie Radler, use a light beer or non-alcoholic beer and mix it with a sugar-free, naturally flavored sparkling water instead of traditional sweetened lemonade.

No. While it has zero alcohol, the fruit juice or sweetened lemonade used as the mixer still contains sugar and carbohydrates, contributing calories. A 0.0% alcohol Radler can have significantly fewer calories than a standard one, but it is not calorie-free.

The calorie count varies due to different base beers, ranging from light lagers to non-alcoholic options, and the wide array of mixers used, from high-sugar sodas to fresh juice and seltzer.

No, while lemon is traditional, modern Radlers come in many flavors. Grapefruit is a very popular alternative, and other fruit juices are also used.

Because of its varying calorie content, a Radler is not a guaranteed low-calorie option for weight loss. The healthiest version is an alcohol-free, sugar-free Radler. When consumed in moderation, it can be a lower-calorie option than a high-ABV craft beer.