What is the highest calorie drink in the world?

November 6, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data, some commercial protein shakes pack over 500 calories in a single, 8-ounce serving. This raises a surprising question for many: what is the highest calorie drink in the world, and where are these drinks found? The answer often isn't what you'd expect, extending beyond typical sugary sodas to include specialty coffee concoctions, fast-food milkshakes, and medical-grade nutritional supplements.

Quick Summary

This article explores various contenders for the most calorie-dense beverage, from specialty coffee drinks to commercial weight-gain supplements. It breaks down the components that contribute to high calorie counts and provides a comparative analysis of different drink categories. The content details specific high-calorie examples from fast-food menus, coffee shops, and the medical field, offering a complete overview of exceptionally calorie-dense liquids.

Key Points

Clinical supplements often lead: Medical-grade drinks like BOOST VHC are engineered to be extremely calorie-dense for weight gain, providing 530 calories in just 8 oz.
Fast-food shakes are calorie bombs: Oversized, indulgent shakes from chains like Sonic or Caribou can contain over 1,000 calories, with some potentially approaching 2,000 calories depending on size and add-ins.
Alcoholic drinks can be surprisingly high: Certain cocktails and high-proof beers, including potent brews like Snake Venom, can carry immense calorie counts due to their alcohol content.
High-fat ingredients drive density: Since fat contains 9 calories per gram (more than double protein or carbs), the inclusion of heavy cream, ice cream, and nut butters is a primary reason for high calorie content.
DIY shakes can compete: With whole milk, nut butters, protein powder, and other calorie-dense ingredients, a homemade shake can easily exceed 700 calories.
Sugary additions are key culprits: Syrups, sweetened toppings, and sugary mixers contribute significantly to the total calorie count in specialty coffees and cocktails.

Determining what is the highest calorie drink in the world is more complex than it seems, as the top contenders vary significantly depending on the category. The primary drivers of high calorie counts in liquids are fats and sugars, with fats containing 9 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram for carbohydrates and protein.

The Role of Fats and Sugars in Caloric Density

High-calorie drinks often combine high-fat ingredients like heavy cream, ice cream, and nut butters with high-sugar components such as syrups and flavorings. This combination allows certain beverages to quickly accumulate a high number of calories.

High-Calorie Drinks from Fast Food Chains

Fast-food establishments are well-known for serving indulgent, high-calorie beverages, particularly milkshakes and blended coffee drinks. These often contain more calories than a typical meal.

Notable High-Calorie Fast Food Drinks

Sonic Drive-In's Oreo and Reese's Peanut Butter Shake (Large): This shake can contain over 1,700 calories.
Dunkin's Caramel Creme Frozen Coffee (Large): This drink can exceed 1,100 calories.
Caribou Coffee's Turtle Mocha Blended (XL): This blended coffee drink can contain over 1,300 calories.

Clinical and Weight-Gain Supplements

For medical or dietary needs requiring significant calorie intake, specialized nutritional drinks are available. These are formulated to provide a concentrated source of calories and nutrients.

BOOST Very High Calorie (VHC) Nutritional Drink

BOOST VHC is an example of a medical-grade supplement designed for weight gain. An 8-fluid-ounce serving provides 530 nutrient-rich calories, with a macronutrient breakdown of 17% protein, 39% carbohydrate, and 44% fat.

Comparison Table: High-Calorie Beverages


Beverage Category	Example Product	Calories (approx.)	Primary High-Calorie Ingredients	Context of Consumption
Clinical Supplement	BOOST VHC (8 fl oz)	530	High fat (canola oil), concentrated protein, sugar	Medical use, weight gain therapy
Fast-Food Shake	Sonic Oreo/Reese's Shake (Large)	1,720	Ice cream, peanut butter, Oreo pieces, syrups	Indulgent, occasional treat
Fast-Food Coffee	Dunkin' Frozen Coffee (Large)	1,120	Cream, sugar, flavored syrups, coffee base	Regular coffee shop purchase
Homemade Smoothie	Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate	705	Whole milk, peanut butter, ice cream, protein powder	DIY, targeted weight gain

Homemade Solutions for High-Calorie Drinks

Creating high-calorie drinks at home allows for control over ingredients, making it possible to create nutrient-dense options for weight gain. Homemade smoothies can incorporate ingredients like whole milk, nut butter, protein powder, bananas, avocados, chia seeds, or coconut cream to increase calorie content. A homemade shake with whole milk, nut butter, and protein powder can easily reach over 700 calories.

Surprising Contenders: Alcoholic and Specialty Drinks

Certain alcoholic beverages can also be high in calories, particularly those made with creams or sugary mixers. A Long Island Iced Tea can have over 700 calories. Extremely high-alcohol content beers, like Snake Venom, have been reported to contain over 2,000 calories per bottle due to alcohol's caloric density (7 calories per gram).

Conclusion

Determining what is the highest calorie drink in the world depends on the category. Medical supplements like BOOST VHC offer concentrated calories in a small serving. Fast-food shakes and blended coffees can easily exceed 1,000 calories and even approach 2,000 calories in large sizes. Extreme alcoholic beverages like Snake Venom beer may hold the title for sheer caloric density due to their high alcohol volume. For most consumers, the most calorie-rich drinks are typically found at fast-food restaurants and coffee shops.

For more information on nutrition and weight management, the University of Virginia School of Medicine offers a resource on high-calorie liquid diets and is a reliable source for dietary information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fast-food milkshakes and blended coffee drinks are often the most calorie-dense beverages, with some large-sized shakes exceeding 1,700 calories due to high amounts of ice cream, syrups, and toppings.

The healthiness of a high-calorie drink depends on its purpose. Medical supplements for weight gain are formulated to be nutritious, while high-calorie, sugar-laden fast-food shakes are generally unhealthy and contain excessive fat and sugar.

You can find calorie information on nutritional labels for packaged products. For restaurant and coffee shop drinks, this information is often available on the company's website, app, or in-store displays.

The high calorie count is primarily due to the inclusion of calorie-dense ingredients like fat (heavy cream, ice cream, nut butters) and simple sugars (syrups, sweetened mixers). Fat provides the most calories per gram of any macronutrient.

Yes, alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, making some high-proof spirits and sugary cocktails very calorie-dense. A single Long Island Iced Tea, for example, can exceed 700 calories.

BOOST VHC is a medical-grade nutritional drink designed for weight gain. It contains 530 calories in an 8-ounce serving, featuring a carefully balanced, calorie-dense blend of high-quality protein, fats, and carbohydrates.

Yes, by adding calorie-dense ingredients like whole milk, heavy cream, nut butters, avocados, and protein powder, you can create homemade smoothies with over 700 calories to support weight gain goals.