Which alcoholic drink has the highest calories?

December 6, 2025 •

3 min read

One gram of pure alcohol contains 7 calories, nearly as many as one gram of fat. While spirits like vodka or whiskey have a relatively low calorie count per shot, sugary liqueurs and mixers can dramatically increase the total, leading to the question: which alcoholic drink has the highest calories?

Quick Summary

An in-depth look at the caloric content of various alcoholic beverages, comparing spirits, wine, and beer. It breaks down how mixers, sugar content, and alcohol by volume impact overall calorie count, highlighting the highest calorie drinks and offering lighter alternatives.

Key Points

Sugary Cocktails: Mixed drinks made with high-sugar syrups, cream, and liqueurs, such as a Piña Colada or a White Russian, consistently have the highest calorie counts.
Liqueurs and Fortified Wines: Beverages with added sugar, like coffee liqueurs or port wine, contain significantly more calories than their unflavored spirit or standard wine counterparts.
High-ABV Beer: Not all beer is created equal; heavier craft beers with a high alcohol by volume, such as imperial stouts, can pack a serious caloric punch.
Pure Spirits vs. Mixers: The calories in pure spirits like vodka or whiskey are lower per serving, but once combined with sugary mixers like soda or juice, the total count can skyrocket.
Choose Low-Calorie Alternatives: For lower-calorie options, stick to straight spirits, dry wines, or mix with diet sodas and seltzer to drastically reduce your intake.

The Highest Calorie Contenders

When examining which alcoholic drink has the highest calories, the conversation quickly moves beyond pure spirits. While a single shot of 80-proof distilled alcohol like vodka or whiskey contains around 97 calories, the real calorie bombs are cocktails laden with high-sugar mixers, creams, and syrups. The sheer volume and additional ingredients turn a modest base spirit into a dessert-like indulgence with a hefty calorie price tag.

Mixed Drinks: The Undisputed Calorie Champions

Sweet cocktails are almost always at the top of the list for highest calorie alcoholic drinks. A classic pina colada, for instance, can pack close to 500 calories in a single 9-ounce glass due to its coconut cream and sugary mix. Similarly, a rich White Russian, made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream, can reach a staggering 568 calories per 8-ounce serving. Other high-calorie culprits include fruity margaritas and chocolate martinis, which derive their high counts from sweeteners and rich liqueurs.

Liqueurs and Fortified Wines

While not as high as the richest cocktails, certain liqueurs and fortified wines are also notably high in calories, often due to their high sugar content. A 1.5-ounce serving of coffee liqueur, for example, contains approximately 160 calories. Fortified wines like port and marsala also contain significantly more sugar and alcohol than standard table wines, pushing their calorie counts higher.

Strong Craft Beer

Beer can vary widely in its caloric impact. While a light beer has relatively few calories, some high-alcohol-by-volume (ABV) craft beers, particularly dark stouts and imperial IPAs, can contain 170 to 350 calories per 12-ounce serving. The higher ABV and residual sugars in these complex brews contribute to their higher energy density.

Spirits and Low-Calorie Mixers

For those watching their caloric intake, opting for a pure spirit with a zero or low-calorie mixer is the best strategy. A vodka soda, for example, is one of the lowest-calorie cocktail options. A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof vodka with soda water will contain under 100 calories, a sharp contrast to the hundreds found in sugary mixed drinks.

Calorie Comparison of Popular Alcoholic Drinks


Drink Category	Example	Approx. Calories per Serving	Key Calorie Sources
High-Calorie Cocktail	Piña Colada (9 oz)	490 kcal	Coconut cream, rum, pineapple juice
Rich Liqueur	White Russian (8 oz)	568 kcal	Coffee liqueur, cream, vodka
Sweet Liqueur	Coffee Liqueur (1.5 oz)	160 kcal	Sugar, alcohol
Craft Beer	Imperial Stout (12 oz)	280-350 kcal	High ABV, residual sugars
Standard Beer	Regular Lager (12 oz)	150 kcal	Alcohol, carbohydrates
Wine	Red Wine (5 oz)	125 kcal	Alcohol, sugars
Spirits (Neat)	Whiskey (1.5 oz)	97 kcal	Alcohol
Low-Calorie Option	Vodka Soda (8 oz)	<100 kcal	Alcohol, zero-calorie mixer

Factors Influencing Calorie Count

Beyond the base alcohol, several elements contribute to the total caloric content of a drink:

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Higher-proof beverages have a higher concentration of alcohol, and since alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, a higher ABV generally means more calories.
Sugar Content: Sugars from juices, liqueurs, syrups, and other mixers are a major source of calories. This is why a simple spirit mixed with soda water is far lower in calories than one mixed with cola or fruit juice.
Added Ingredients: Creamy mixers, dairy products, and certain purees can dramatically increase the calorie count, as seen in drinks like a White Russian or a mudslide.
Serving Size: The volume of a cocktail or beer is just as important as its ingredients. A large, oversized cocktail will contain far more calories than a standard serving.

Conclusion

While a shot of pure spirit contains a consistent, and relatively modest, calorie count, the answer to which alcoholic drink has the highest calories is not a single type but rather the heavily modified cocktails and drinks that include rich, sugary additives. Drinks like the Piña Colada and White Russian, with their cream, sweeteners, and high-proof base, easily top the charts. For those looking to enjoy an alcoholic beverage with fewer calories, the best strategy is to stick with standard portions of spirits mixed with diet sodas or seltzers, or choose low-ABV beers and dry wines.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for guidance on diet and health.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it depends on the recipe and serving size, rich, creamy cocktails like a White Russian or a Pina Colada often have the highest calorie counts, sometimes exceeding 500 calories per drink due to cream, high-sugar liqueurs, and mixers.

Most liqueurs are high in calories because they contain a significant amount of added sugar in addition to alcohol. For example, a single shot of coffee liqueur can have around 160 calories.

Beer calories vary significantly depending on the alcohol content and ingredients. Light beers are lowest, while higher-alcohol craft beers like imperial stouts or IPAs can be high in both alcohol and carbohydrates, leading to a much higher calorie count.

Yes, sugary mixers like regular soda, fruit juice, and pre-made cocktail mixes add substantial calories. A single serving of a cocktail can have its calories doubled or tripled by sweet additions.

On a per-serving basis, beer often contains more calories than wine. For example, a pint of standard beer generally has more calories than a standard glass of wine. However, this varies based on the specific type and strength of each drink.

Pure, distilled spirits like vodka, whiskey, and gin, when consumed neat or with zero-calorie mixers like soda water, tend to have the fewest calories per standard serving.

Weight gain from alcohol is often due to the cumulative effect of consuming "empty" calories with little to no nutritional value. Alcohol also stimulates appetite, which can lead to overeating, and the body prioritizes processing alcohol, which can affect fat metabolism.