Which drink has high calories? Your guide to high-calorie beverages

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

According to Medanta, some protein shakes can contain up to 400 calories per 100 ml, making them one of the most calorie-dense beverages available. Knowing which drink has high calories is crucial for managing your weight and overall health, as many popular beverages contribute significantly to your daily caloric intake without providing much satiety.

Quick Summary

An in-depth look at beverages packed with calories, including sugary sodas, coffee shop creations, high-fat dairy drinks, and alcoholic concoctions. This guide examines how liquid calories can affect your diet and offers comparisons to help you make more informed choices.

Key Points

Sugary Sodas are Calorie Bombs: Beverages like Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, and energy drinks are packed with sugar and offer empty calories with little nutritional value.
Specialty Coffees Add Up: High-calorie coffee shop drinks, such as large frappuccinos and lattes with syrups and whipped cream, can easily contain over 500 calories.
Alcoholic Drinks Are Often High in Calories: Many cocktails, especially creamy ones like Piña Coladas and White Russians, are exceptionally high in calories from both alcohol and sugary mixers.
Liquid Calories Don't Fill You Up: Unlike solid foods, liquid calories don't trigger the same sense of fullness, making it easy to consume them in excess without noticing.
Even 'Healthy' Juices Can Be Caloric: Fruit juices and smoothies, while containing vitamins, can be high in sugar and calories without the satiating fiber of whole fruits.
High-Protein Shakes for Weight Gain: For those aiming to increase weight, nutrient-dense protein shakes can be a purposeful way to add significant calories.

Understanding Liquid Calories

Liquid calories are often overlooked but can have a substantial impact on your total energy intake. Unlike solid food, beverages don't trigger the same level of satiety, meaning you can consume a large number of calories without feeling full. Many of the most calorie-dense drinks derive their energy from high levels of sugar, alcohol, and fat, often with minimal nutritional value. Understanding where these hidden calories lie is the first step toward making more mindful choices.

The Culprits: Sugary Sodas and Energy Drinks

One of the most well-known sources of high liquid calories is sugary sodas and energy drinks. A single 12-ounce can of regular soda can have between 125 and 180 calories, all from sugar. Fanta Orange, for instance, contains 179 calories in a 12-ounce serving, while a 16-ounce Rockstar Energy Drink packs in 267 calories. These drinks are often called "empty calories" because they provide a significant energy boost without any essential nutrients.

Classic Cola: 155 calories per 12 oz.
Mountain Dew: 174 calories per 12 oz.
Monster Energy: 298 calories per 16 oz.
Red Bull: 220 calories per 16 oz.

Specialty Coffee Drinks and Milkshakes

Your daily coffee run could be adding hundreds of unexpected calories to your diet. Specialty coffee beverages like flavored lattes, frappuccinos, and rich coffee milkshakes are notorious for their high-calorie content due to added syrups, whipped cream, and whole milk. For example, a large, decadent milkshake could easily contain upwards of 500 calories, similar to a small meal.

Alcoholic Cocktails and Liqueurs

Alcoholic beverages often contribute significantly to a high-calorie intake. The alcohol itself provides calories, and when mixed with sugary juices, cream, or soda, the total count can skyrocket. Some of the most caloric cocktails and spirits include:

White Russian: This creamy cocktail can contain over 500 calories in a standard serving, thanks to vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream.
Piña Colada: A classic Piña Colada can have nearly 500 calories in a 9-ounce serving due to rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice.
Sweet Liqueurs: Liqueurs like Crème de menthe and flavored schnapps can be particularly high in calories because of their high sugar content.

Comparing High-Calorie Drinks

To illustrate the diversity in liquid calories, here is a comparison of various popular high-calorie drinks.


Drink Category	Example	Serving Size	Approximate Calories	Main Calorie Source
Energy Drink	Monster Energy	16 fl oz	298	Sugar, Carbs
Creamy Cocktail	Piña Colada	9 fl oz	490	Alcohol, Cream of Coconut
Specialty Coffee	Starbucks Frappuccino	~16 fl oz	>500	Syrups, Milk, Sugar
Sugary Soda	Fanta Orange	12 fl oz	179	Sugar
High-Protein Shake	Medanta Protein Shake	100 ml	Up to 400	Whey Protein, Add-ins
Fortified Wine	Port Wine	3.5 fl oz	165	Alcohol, Sugar

Hidden Calories in "Healthy" Drinks

Not all high-calorie drinks are obviously unhealthy. Fruit juices and smoothies, often perceived as wholesome, can be significant sources of sugar and calories. A glass of orange juice (around 12 ounces) contains over 150 calories and can spike blood sugar levels due to its high sugar content. While they offer some vitamins, they lack the fiber found in whole fruits, making them less filling.

Conclusion: The Impact of Liquid Calories

Ultimately, the drinks that have high calories are those laden with added sugars, alcohol, and fats. Awareness of these hidden calories is crucial for weight management and overall health. While enjoying these beverages in moderation is fine, excessive and frequent consumption can lead to weight gain, blood sugar imbalances, and other health issues. Prioritizing water and low-calorie options and treating high-calorie drinks as occasional indulgences is the most effective strategy for controlling liquid calorie intake. For those aiming for weight gain, incorporating calorie-dense yet nutrient-rich shakes can be a beneficial strategy, but understanding the source of the calories is always key. You can learn more about the nutritional aspects of various drinks by consulting authoritative sources like the MedlinePlus website.

Smart Hydration Strategies

Instead of mindlessly consuming liquid calories, try these smarter hydration strategies:

Switch to water: Water contains zero calories and is essential for all bodily functions. Add natural flavorings like lemon, lime, or cucumber for variety.
Choose unsweetened options: Opt for unsweetened tea, black coffee, or sparkling water instead of their sugary counterparts.
Use whole fruits for smoothies: If you do have a smoothie, use whole fruits to get the benefits of fiber, which aids in satiety.
Drink responsibly: When consuming alcohol, alternate alcoholic beverages with water to slow down consumption and stay hydrated.

This mindful approach to beverages can significantly reduce your daily calorie consumption without feeling deprived.

Frequently Asked Questions

A high-calorie drink is any beverage that provides a significant amount of energy, typically over 150-200 calories per serving, often from added sugars, fats, or alcohol.

Not necessarily, but liquid calories are processed differently. They don't provide the same feeling of fullness as solid food, making it easier to consume them in large quantities without feeling full, potentially leading to excess calorie intake.

Creamy, mixed cocktails tend to have the most calories. A White Russian can have over 500 calories, while a Piña Colada is close behind, containing significant calories from cream of coconut and rum.

Yes, many smoothies can be high in calories, particularly if they are made with ingredients like added sugar, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, or calorie-dense fruits. A store-bought smoothie can be especially high in sugar.

To reduce liquid calories, switch from sugary sodas and juices to water or unsweetened beverages. If you drink alcohol, opt for lower-calorie options or mix them with water. For coffee, choose black coffee or use low-calorie sweeteners and milk alternatives.

Yes, many fruit juices are high in calories due to their natural sugar content. While they contain some vitamins, they lack the fiber of whole fruit, and the high sugar can cause blood sugar spikes.

For intentional weight gain, a high-protein shake with quality ingredients like whey protein, whole milk, nut butter, and fruit can be an effective way to consume a large number of nutrient-dense calories.