What Liquor Has the Most Sugar? A Comprehensive Guide

November 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Drinkaware, some alcoholic drinks can contain as many as 15 teaspoons of sugar per 700ml bottle. This staggering amount raises the question: what liquor has the most sugar, and which types of alcohol should you be mindful of when watching your sugar intake?

Quick Summary

Liqueurs like Kahlúa and creamy varieties, along with dessert wines and many pre-mixed cocktails, typically contain the highest sugar levels. Pure, unflavored spirits like vodka and gin have virtually no sugar, but their mixers are often the culprit for excess sweetness. Sweetness often comes from added syrups, juices, and flavorings.

Key Points

Liqueurs are Highest in Sugar: Sweet spirits like Kahlúa, Amaretto, and Irish creams contain the most sugar, with Kahlúa having around 39g per 100ml.
Distilled Spirits Have Zero Sugar: Pure, unflavored liquors such as vodka, gin, and whiskey contain no sugar before mixers are added.
Mixers are the Main Culprit: In many cocktails, the high sugar content comes from added syrups, juices, and sugary sodas, not the base spirit.
Dessert and Fortified Wines are Sugary: Sweet wines like Port, Sherry, and Moscato have significant residual sugar left over from their production process.
Pre-mixed Drinks are Often Sugar Bombs: Bottled cocktail mixes and hard lemonades can be loaded with sugar, sometimes more than 30g per can.
To Reduce Sugar, Use Pure Spirits with Sugar-Free Mixers: Opt for dry wines or mix pure liquors with low-sugar options like soda water and fresh lime juice.
Read Labels and Be Mindful of Ingredients: Pay attention to the ingredients in cocktails and choose wisely to manage your sugar consumption.

The Highest Sugar Culprits: Liqueurs, Dessert Wines, and Cocktails

When assessing what liquor has the most sugar, the answer often lies outside of pure, distilled spirits. The real sugar bombs in the alcohol world are typically liqueurs, dessert wines, and cocktails made with high-sugar mixers. Distillation removes sugars, so spirits like pure vodka or whiskey start with zero sugar. However, the ingredients added post-distillation dramatically alter the final product's sugar content.

Liqueurs: Sweetness by Definition

Liqueurs are sweetened spirits, meaning they inherently contain significant added sugar. Popular examples like Kahlúa have around 39g per 100ml, Frangelico contains approximately 31g per 100ml, while Amaretto and Grand Marnier both have about 24g per 100ml. Creamy liqueurs like Irish Cream also have a high sugar count, around 20g per 100ml.

Dessert Wines and Fortified Wines

These wines are designed to be sweet, with a production process that leaves a high amount of residual sugar. Examples include Port with 10–20g of sugar per 100ml, Sauternes with about 12–14g per 100ml, and Moscato typically containing 12–15g of sugar per 100ml.

High-Sugar Cocktails and Mixers

Cocktails become high in sugar through the addition of syrups, juices, and sodas, even if the base spirit is sugar-free. Pre-made cocktail mixes are particularly high in sugar. A standard Piña Colada can have 22–30g of sugar, and hard lemonades or alcopops sometimes contain 30–40g per can. Sweetened Mojitos and Daiquiris can also contain 15–35g of sugar.

Comparing High vs. Low Sugar Alcohol

Here is a quick comparison table to illustrate the stark difference in sugar content among various alcoholic beverages.


Alcoholic Beverage	Type	Sugar Content (Approximate)	Comments
Kahlúa	Liqueur	~39g per 100ml	High due to added sweeteners.
Piña Colada	Cocktail	~22–30g per serving	High from cream and juice.
Port	Fortified Wine	~10–20g per 100ml	High residual sugar.
Dry Wine	Wine	~0.9–1.5g per 150ml glass	Fermentation removes most sugar.
Pure Spirits (Vodka, Gin)	Distilled Spirits	0g per serving	Sugar-free before mixing.
Light Beer	Beer	<1g per 355ml	Most sugars fermented out.

Making Healthier Choices: How to Reduce Sugar

To reduce sugar intake while enjoying alcohol, avoid heavily sweetened mixers and pre-made drinks. Opt for beverages where you control the ingredients. Use zero-sugar mixers, choose dry wines, select pure, unflavored spirits, and always drink in moderation.

Conclusion: Navigating Sugary Drinks

Liqueurs and heavily sweetened cocktails typically have the highest sugar content in alcoholic beverages. Kahlúa and many pre-made mixes are among the worst offenders. Pure distilled spirits contain no sugar, while dry wines and most beers are very low in sugar. Understanding what liquor has the most sugar helps in making informed decisions about your sugar intake. You can consult resources like the CDC for more information on alcohol and dietary intake.

The Sugar Content of Alcoholic Beverages

Liqueurs and cream liqueurs: Highest in sugar due to added sweeteners.
Sweet and fortified wines: High residual sugar levels (e.g., Port, Sherry, Moscato).
Pre-mixed cocktails and alcopops: Often contain over 30 grams of sugar per can.
Sugary cocktails with mixers: High sugar content from juices and syrups (e.g., Piña Coladas, Mai Tais).
Pure distilled spirits: Zero sugar before mixers (e.g., Vodka, gin, whiskey).
Dry wines and light beers: Low in sugar as most has been fermented.
Flavored spirits: Moderate sugar levels from added flavorings.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

What are the most sugary types of alcohol? Liqueurs, sweet and fortified wines (like Port or Sherry), and pre-mixed cocktails are typically the most sugary alcoholic options.

Does vodka have sugar? Pure, unflavored vodka contains zero grams of sugar. However, flavored vodkas often contain added sugar and sweeteners.

How much sugar is in a margarita? The sugar content in a margarita can vary widely. A classic, fresh-made margarita can have less sugar than a pre-made mix from a bottle, which can contain 25-30g of sugar per serving.

Is there sugar in whiskey? Pure whiskey has no sugar. Like other distilled spirits, the sugars from the grains are converted to alcohol during the distillation process.

Which type of wine is highest in sugar? Sweet dessert wines like Moscato, Port, and Sauternes contain the most sugar. Dry wines contain minimal residual sugar.

Can I drink alcohol on a low-sugar diet? Yes, you can choose low-sugar options. Pure spirits with sugar-free mixers, dry wines, and light beers are good choices for those monitoring their sugar intake.

Do all beers have sugar? Most regular beers have very low residual sugar content, usually less than one gram per serving. Craft and flavored beers may contain more due to added sweeteners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Liquors with the highest sugar content are typically sweet liqueurs, such as Kahlúa (~39g per 100ml), Frangelico (~31g per 100ml), and Irish Cream (~20g per 100ml). The sugar is added for flavor and sweetness after distillation.

No, not all cocktails contain a lot of sugar. While many popular cocktails use sugary juices and syrups, you can make low-sugar versions by using fresh fruit, diet sodas, or sparkling water as mixers. For example, a vodka soda with a lime squeeze has virtually no sugar.

Pure, unflavored rum contains no sugar, similar to other distilled spirits. However, many flavored rums and dark rums have added sugar or caramel, increasing their sugar content significantly.

You can generally identify high-sugar alcoholic drinks by looking at the type of beverage. Sweet liqueurs, pre-mixed cocktails, and dessert wines are almost always high in sugar. If you are unsure, check the brand's nutritional information online or read the label if available.

Good low-sugar options include pure spirits (vodka, gin, whiskey) with sugar-free mixers, dry wines (both red and white), and most light beers. These choices allow you to control your sugar intake more effectively.

Liqueurs are defined as sweetened spirits, so sugar is an essential part of their recipe. It is added after the base spirit has been distilled, along with flavorings, to create their characteristic sweet and often creamy taste.

No. The sugar content in wine varies greatly depending on the style. Dry wines, where most of the grape sugars have been fermented, are very low in sugar, whereas sweet dessert wines have a high amount of residual sugar.