Which alcohol has the most calories in it? Uncovering the Highest-Calorie Drinks

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

One gram of pure alcohol contains 7 kilocalories, putting its energy density nearly on par with fat, which has 9 kcal per gram. When it comes to alcoholic beverages, however, the calorie count is influenced by more than just the alcohol content; sugar and other additives play a significant role, with mixed drinks often containing far more calories than their base spirits.

Quick Summary

This article explains why certain alcohols contain more calories than others. The total calorie count is influenced by alcohol proof, sugar content, and mixers, with creamy cocktails and liqueurs topping the list.

Key Points

Pure Alcohol's Role: One gram of alcohol contains 7 calories, making high-proof spirits inherently calorie-dense by volume.
Mixed Drinks Dominate: The highest total calorie counts are typically found in cocktails due to the addition of sugary mixers, syrups, and creams.
Liqueurs and Creamy Drinks: Cream-based and sweet liqueurs, such as Baileys or coffee liqueur, are exceptionally high in calories due to both alcohol and sugar content.
High-ABV Beers: Certain high-alcohol craft beers like stouts and Belgian Quads can pack a significant number of calories in a single pint.
Mixer Matters: Choosing low-calorie or zero-calorie mixers like soda water or diet soda can drastically reduce the calorie count of a mixed drink.
Fortified Wines: Dessert and fortified wines like Port or Madeira contain more calories than regular table wines due to higher sugar content and alcohol by volume.
Serving Size is Key: While a shot of liquor has relatively few calories, a large cocktail with multiple shots and mixers can quickly add up to a full meal's worth of calories.

The Calorie Culprits: Understanding the Factors

To understand which alcohol has the most calories in it, it's essential to recognize the two main sources of energy in alcoholic beverages: the alcohol itself and any added carbohydrates or sugars.

Alcohol Content (ABV): At 7 calories per gram, alcohol is quite energy-dense. Higher-proof spirits, therefore, contain more calories per ounce than lower-proof options. For instance, a 100-proof liquor has more calories per ounce than an 80-proof version.
Carbohydrates and Sugars: These are a significant source of additional calories, especially in mixed drinks, liqueurs, and many beers. Syrups, fruit juices, and creams can drastically increase the total calorie count of a cocktail, turning a relatively low-calorie spirit into a high-calorie dessert-in-a-glass.

High-Calorie Offenders: The Usual Suspects

While some may assume that hard liquor is the highest in calories, the real heavy hitters are often cocktails loaded with sugar and cream. The following are some of the most calorie-dense choices available:

Cream Liqueurs: Products like Baileys are exceptionally high in calories due to their combination of alcohol, sugar, and cream. A 1.5-ounce serving can have around 154 calories.
Sugary Cocktails: The most infamous are those packed with multiple spirits and mixers. A single Long Island Iced Tea, for example, can contain well over 700 calories because it includes vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec, and a high-sugar sour mix. The Pina Colada is another calorie bomb, featuring rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, which can total over 600 calories.
High-ABV Craft Beers: While some think of beer as a moderate-calorie option, many high-alcohol craft varieties, such as Imperial Stouts, Belgian Quads, and Double IPAs, can contain 300 calories or more per bottle.
Dessert Wines and Fortified Wines: Sweeter varieties like Port, Marsala, and Madeira have significantly higher sugar and alcohol content, leading to a much greater calorie count than standard table wine.

Surprising Calorie Traps

Some seemingly innocent drink choices can hide a significant number of calories. The mix is often the problem, not the base alcohol.

Vodka & Tonic: Many people mistakenly believe a vodka and tonic is a low-calorie alternative. However, standard tonic water is loaded with sugar. A 7-ounce serving can have around 189 calories. Swapping for diet tonic or club soda is a simple fix.
Wine Spritzer: While a wine spritzer is lower in calories than straight wine, if you don't use club soda and opt for a high-sugar fizzy drink instead, the calorie count can rise substantially.

Comparison of Common Alcoholic Drinks

To provide a clear picture, here is a comparison of the approximate calorie counts for standard servings of different alcoholic beverages.


Drink	Serving Size	Approx. Calories	Primary Calorie Source
Long Island Iced Tea	1 glass	780+ kcal	Multiple spirits, sugar mix
Pina Colada	1 glass	380+ kcal	Rum, cream, sugar
White Russian	1 glass	425+ kcal	Vodka, coffee liqueur, cream
High-ABV Craft Beer	12 fl oz (355 ml)	170–350 kcal	Alcohol, residual carbs
Regular Beer	12 fl oz (355 ml)	153 kcal	Alcohol, residual carbs
Red Table Wine	5 fl oz (145 ml)	125 kcal	Alcohol, sugar
White Table Wine	5 fl oz (145 ml)	128 kcal	Alcohol, sugar
Fortified Wine (Port)	3.5 fl oz (90 ml)	165 kcal	Alcohol, higher sugar
80-Proof Spirits	1.5 fl oz (45 ml)	97 kcal	Alcohol
Light Beer	12 fl oz (355 ml)	103 kcal	Alcohol, low carbs

Navigating Your Choices for Lower Calories

For those watching their calorie intake, making informed decisions can make a big difference. Here are some tips for choosing lower-calorie alcoholic options:

Choose Zero-Calorie Mixers: Use soda water, club soda, or diet sodas instead of sugary juices or regular tonic water.
Opt for Light Beers or Hard Seltzers: These options are specifically formulated to have lower calories than their regular counterparts.
Drink Spirits Neat or On the Rocks: A simple shot of an 80-proof spirit is a lower-calorie option due to its small volume and lack of added sugar.
Mind Your Portions with Wine: While wine isn't the highest in calories, consuming several glasses can quickly add up. Be mindful of serving sizes.

Conclusion

The ultimate answer to which alcohol has the most calories in it is not a single bottle of liquor, but rather a sugary, cream-heavy cocktail. While alcohol itself is calorie-dense, the real danger zone for your waistline is the addition of high-calorie mixers, syrups, and creams. The total calorie count is a product of alcohol volume, ABV, and added ingredients. For those seeking lower-calorie choices, spirits consumed neat or with zero-calorie mixers, hard seltzers, and light beers are the clear winners. Ultimately, mindful consumption is key to enjoying alcoholic beverages while keeping track of your calorie intake.

Read more about alcohol and calories on the NHS website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Long Island Iced Tea often contains the most calories, with some recipes exceeding 700 calories per drink due to multiple spirits and high-sugar mixers.

A standard shot (1.5 ounces) of 80-proof spirit is around 97 calories. While high in alcohol concentration, the small serving size and zero carbs means they have fewer calories than many cocktails or beers.

The calorie count in beer is affected by both alcohol content (ABV) and residual carbohydrates. High-ABV craft beers, like some stouts, have more calories than light lagers.

A standard 5-ounce glass of wine, both red and white, typically has between 120 and 128 calories. Fortified wines and sweet dessert wines will be higher.

Lower-calorie choices include hard seltzers, light beers, or spirits mixed with zero-calorie beverages like diet soda or soda water.

Both contribute. The alcohol itself is calorie-dense (7 kcal/gram), but sugary mixers, syrups, and creams in cocktails and liqueurs are often the biggest drivers of high total calories.

Yes, non-alcoholic versions of wine, beer, and cocktails are significantly lower in calories as they lack the energy-dense alcohol.