Which alcohols contain calories and how to track them

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

One gram of pure alcohol contains about seven calories, almost as many as a gram of pure fat, making it a significant, often overlooked source of energy in many people's diets. Understanding which alcohols contain calories is key for anyone watching their intake, as these "empty calories" can add up quickly without providing nutritional benefits.

Quick Summary

Every type of alcohol contains calories, with the amount varying based on alcohol by volume (ABV) and additional ingredients. Pure spirits have calories only from ethanol, while beer, wine, and cocktails also contain calories from carbs and sugars.

Key Points

Ethanol provides calories: The core component of all alcohol, ethanol, contains approximately 7 calories per gram, making it a significant energy source.
ABV dictates calorie density: Higher alcohol by volume (ABV) in any beverage, from spirits to beer, means a greater concentration of ethanol and thus more calories.
Mixers add major calories: Sugary mixers, juices, and syrups dramatically increase the calorie count of cocktails and mixed drinks, often far exceeding the calories from the spirit itself.
Spirits can be lower-calorie: When consumed neat or with zero-calorie mixers, standard spirits like vodka or gin offer a lower-calorie option per serving compared to many beers or wines.
Empty calories: Alcohol provides energy but lacks essential nutrients, earning its calories the "empty" label and making it easy to consume excess calories without nutritional benefit.
Moderation is key: Regardless of the drink, consuming alcohol in moderation and being mindful of intake is the most effective strategy for managing liquid calories.

The Surprising Source of Calories in Your Drink

When most people think about a calorie surplus leading to weight gain, their minds turn to solid foods like pizza, burgers, or sugary desserts. However, many overlook the significant number of calories found in alcoholic beverages. All alcohols contain calories, primarily from the ethanol itself. One gram of pure ethanol contains approximately seven calories, making it a very energy-dense compound, second only to fat (which has nine calories per gram). This means that even a seemingly small amount of alcohol can contribute a substantial number of calories to your daily intake.

How Alcohol’s Caloric Content is Determined

The total number of calories in an alcoholic drink is influenced by a few key factors:

Ethanol Concentration: The most important factor is the alcohol content, typically listed as Alcohol by Volume (ABV). A higher ABV means more ethanol per volume and, therefore, more calories. This is why strong liquors are more calorie-dense than light beers.
Sugar Content: Sugars, either residual from the fermentation process or added as sweeteners, significantly increase the calorie count. Sweeter wines, liqueurs, and many cocktails have added sugars that contribute a substantial number of additional calories.
Mixers and Additives: The mixers used in cocktails, such as juices, regular sodas, and syrups, can drastically increase a drink's calorie total. For example, a spirit mixed with soda water is low in calories, while the same spirit mixed with regular cola or juice is much higher.

Calorie Breakdown by Alcohol Type

Different types of alcoholic beverages have different caloric profiles due to variations in their production and composition. Here is a breakdown of how calories stack up across the major categories.

Spirits (Vodka, Gin, Rum, Whiskey, Tequila)

Composition: Unmixed, distilled spirits like vodka, gin, and whiskey contain calories almost exclusively from the ethanol. They typically have no carbohydrates or sugar. This makes them a lower-calorie option per serving if consumed neat or with zero-calorie mixers.
Standard Serving: A 1.5-ounce (45 ml) shot of 80-proof (40% ABV) spirit contains about 96 calories. Higher-proof spirits will have a higher calorie count per ounce.

Wine

Composition: Wine's calories come from its alcohol content and residual sugar left over from the fermented grapes. Drier wines, which have less sugar, tend to have fewer calories than sweeter wines.
Standard Serving: A 5-ounce (150 ml) glass of red or white wine averages around 120-130 calories, but can be higher for sweet or fortified wines.

Beer

Composition: Beer is made from fermented grains, so its calories come from both alcohol and carbohydrates. The amount of carbohydrates and alcohol can vary greatly depending on the beer style.
Standard Serving: A standard 12-ounce can of regular beer has about 153 calories. Light beers offer fewer calories, often around 100 per serving, while heavier, high-ABV craft beers can contain 200-300+ calories.

Cocktails

Composition: Cocktails are often the most calorie-dense option due to a combination of spirits and high-sugar mixers. A margarita, for instance, is loaded with calories from tequila, triple sec (a sugary liqueur), and lime juice, which often includes added sweeteners.
Calorie Extremes: Some creamy, rich cocktails like a White Russian can be calorie bombs, sometimes exceeding 280 calories due to added cream and sweetened liqueurs.

The Impact of Empty Calories on Your Diet

Calories from alcohol are often called "empty calories" because they provide energy without any essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, or protein. Consuming alcohol can also interfere with your body's ability to burn fat and may increase appetite, leading to additional food consumption. For those managing their weight, understanding and tracking these hidden liquid calories is crucial.

Tips for Reducing Calories from Alcohol

If you want to enjoy a drink while being mindful of your calorie intake, here are some strategies to consider:

Choose Lower-Calorie Beverages: Opt for light beers, dry wines, or clear spirits with calorie-free mixers.
Use Sugar-Free Mixers: Replace high-sugar sodas and juices with diet sodas, club soda, or a splash of lime juice.
Drink in Moderation: Limiting overall alcohol consumption is the most effective way to reduce liquid calorie intake.
Stay Hydrated: Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to pace yourself and stay hydrated.
Order Simple Drinks: Stick to drinks with fewer ingredients, which usually means fewer added sugars and calories.

Alcoholic Beverage Calorie Comparison Table

To help visualize the difference in calorie counts, here is a comparison of typical standard servings.


Beverage	Standard Serving	Approximate Calories (kcal)	Notes
Vodka (80-proof)	1.5 oz (45 ml) shot	96-100	Calorie content increases with proof.
Rum (80-proof)	1.5 oz (45 ml) shot	96-100	Calorie count is for clear rum; flavored or spiced varieties may have more.
Whiskey (80-proof)	1.5 oz (45 ml) shot	96-100	Calorie content is similar across various whiskeys at the same proof.
Dry Red Wine	5 oz (150 ml) glass	125	Calorie count varies with sugar and ABV.
Dry White Wine	5 oz (150 ml) glass	120	Sweeter varieties will have higher calorie counts.
Regular Beer (5% ABV)	12 oz (355 ml) bottle	153	Craft beers and higher ABV lagers can have significantly more.
Light Beer	12 oz (355 ml) bottle	95-110	A great low-calorie alternative to regular beer.
Vodka Soda	1.5 oz vodka + soda water	~96	A classic low-calorie mixed drink.
Mojito	Standard cocktail	~135	Made with rum, lime, mint, and sugar syrup, increasing the calorie count.

Conclusion

All alcoholic beverages contain calories, primarily from the ethanol itself. The total calorie count is significantly affected by the drink's alcohol content (ABV) and any added sugars or mixers. From spirits to beer, wine, and cocktails, the range of calories can be vast. While moderate alcohol consumption is acceptable for many, it's easy for liquid calories to contribute to overall intake without notice. By making informed choices, such as opting for lower-ABV drinks, using zero-calorie mixers, or simply being mindful of portion sizes, you can better manage your caloric consumption. Ultimately, awareness of the facts is the best tool for making healthier choices. For more in-depth nutritional information on food and drink, consult resources like the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, unmixed, clear spirits like vodka, gin, or tequila have the lowest calories per standard 1.5-ounce serving, as they contain no sugar and their calories come solely from ethanol. A vodka soda with a squeeze of lime is one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic drinks.

While all calories are a measure of energy, the calories from alcohol are considered 'empty calories' because they provide no nutritional value. The body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over other macronutrients like fat, which can affect overall metabolism.

Yes, light beer contains calories, but significantly fewer than regular beer. A 12-ounce can of light beer typically has around 100 calories, while a regular beer has about 150 calories or more.

Mixers have a huge impact on your drink's calorie count. Sugary sodas, juices, and creamy mixers can add hundreds of calories. Switching to diet sodas, club soda, or water can dramatically lower the total calories in a mixed drink.

Excessive or regular alcohol consumption can contribute to weight gain. This is due to the calorie content of the alcohol itself, the empty calories it provides, and its ability to act as an appetite stimulant.

A standard 5-ounce glass of dry wine (both red and white) typically contains between 120 and 130 calories. The calorie count can increase in sweeter wines due to higher sugar content.

Proof is a measure of alcohol content; a higher proof indicates more alcohol by volume (ABV). Since ethanol contains 7 calories per gram, a spirit with a higher ABV will have more calories per ounce than a lower-proof spirit.