Calories in Alcohol

By Karen Frazier

While it may be a normal part of your social life, the calories in alcohol can wreak havoc on your waistline. You may not realize it, but your happy hour drinks may add up to an entire meal or more.

Calories by Ounces

Pure alcohol has seven calories per gram. When added to mixers or in wine, beer, and other drinks, the calorie content varies greatly. The chart below offers the calorie counts for several different types of alcoholic beverages. For wines and beers, the calorie counts are averages but will vary a little by brand and type.

Beverage	Proof	Portion Size	Calories
Red wine		6 ounces	150
White wine		6 ounces	144
Blush wine		6 ounces	204
Champagne/Sparkling wine		6 ounces	129
Dessert wine		3 ounces	136
Sherry		3 ounces	100
Port		3 ounces	134
Vermouth		1 shot (1.5 ounces)	55
Sake		3 ounces	43
Beer (lager)		12 ounces	154
Beer (ale)		12 ounces	100
Beer (stout)		12 ounces	170
Beer (porter)		12 ounces	200
Beer (lite)		12 ounces	80 to 100
Hard cider		12 ounces	135
Absinthe		1 shot	154
Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey	80	1 shot	100
Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey	90	1 shot	110
Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey	100	1 shot	124
Tequila		1 shot	96
Brandy		1 shot	95

Calories in Mixed Drinks

Mixed drinks can vary wildly in calories, depending on the types of mixers used and individual recipes. The following lists mixed drinks and the calories in a classic preparation.

Drink	Preparation	Calories
Boilermaker	10 ounces beer Shot of 80 proof whiskey	228
Brandy Alexander	1 shot brandy 1 ounce creme de cacao 1 ounce half and half 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg	235
Singapore Sling	1 ounce 80 proof gin 1/2 ounce cherry brandy 4 ounces pineapple juice 1/2 ounce lime juice 1/4 ounce orange liqueur 1/4 ounce benedictine 1/3 ounce grenadine Dash bitters	205
Mimosa	2 ounces orange juice 6 ounces Champagne	158
Gimlet	1.5 ounces 80 proof gin 1 ounce lime juice Twist of lime	106
Gin Fizz	2 ounces 80 proof gin Juice of 12 lemon 1 teaspoon powdered sugar Carbonated water	150
Gin and Tonic	2 ounces 80 proof gin 5 ounces tonic water Lime wedge	190
Long Island Iced Tea	1.5 ounces 80 proof vodka 1.5 ounces tequila 1.5 ounces 80 proof rum 1.5 ounces 80 proof gin 1.5 ounces triple sec 2.25 ounces sweet and sour mix splash of cola	490
Martini	1.5 ounces 80 proof vodka or gin .25 ounces vermouth Twist of lemon	108
Tom Collins	2 ounces 80 proof gin 1 ounce lemon juice 1 teaspoon superfine sugar 3 ounces club soda 1 maraschino cherry 1 slice orange	170
Cuba Libre	2 ounces 80 proof rum Juice of 1/2 lime 6 ounces cola	235
Daiquiri	1.5 ounces 80 proof rum .5 ounces triple sec 1.5 ounces lime juice 1 teaspoon sugar 1 cup crushed ice	145
Mai Tai	1 ounce 80 proof rum 1/2 ounce amaretto 1/2 ounce triple sec 3 ounces sweet and sour mix 3 ounces pineapple juice 1/2 ounce dark rum	225
Mojito	1.5 ounces 80 proof rum 15 mint leaves 1 tablespoon sugar .5 ounces lime juice 2 ounces club soda	120
Pina Colada	3 ounces 80 proof rum 3 tablespoons coconut cream 3 tablespoons crushed pineapple	265
Margarita	1.5 ounces tequila 1.5 ounces triple sec 1 ounce lime juice	159
Tequila Sunrise	3 ounces tequila 6 ounces orange juice Splash of grenadine	300
Tequila and Tonic	2.5 ounces tequila 8 ounces tonic water Lime wedge	250
Black Russian	1.5 ounces 80 proof vodka .75 ounces coffee liqueur	185
Bloody Mary	1 ounces 80 proof vodka 3 ounces tomato juice Dash red hot sauce Dash green hot sauce Dash Worcestershire sauce 0.5 ounces lemon juice 1 pinch salt 1 pinch peppers 1 stalk celery	95
Chi Chi	2 ounces 80 proof vodka 5 ounces pineapple juice 1.5 ounces coconut cream 1 cup crushed ice	365
Vodka Gimlet	1.5 ounces 80 proof vodka 1 ounce lime juice 1 teaspoon powdered sugar	115
Kamikaze	1.5 ounces 80 proof vodka .25 ounces triple sec .25 ounces lime juice	115
Lemon Drop	1.5 ounces vodka 1.5 ounces lemon juice 1 tablespoon sugar	155
Mudslide	1.5 ounces Irish cream .5 ounces coffee liqueur	140
Screwdriver	1.5 ounces 80 proof vodka 6 ounces orange juice	184
Sea Breeze	1.5 ounces 80 proof vodka 1.5 ounces cranberry juice 4 ounces grapefruit juice	160
White Russian	2 ounces 80 proof vodka 1 ounce coffee liqueur 1 ounce cream	289
Irish Coffee	1.5 ounces Irish whiskey 1 teaspoon brown sugar 6 ounces coffee 1 tablespoon heavy cream	140
Jack and Coke	2 ounces Tennessee whiskey 10 ounces cola	254
Old Fashioned	2 ounces bourbon whiskey 2 dashes bitters 1 splash water 1 teaspoon sugar 1 maraschino cherry 1 orange wedge	163
Rob Roy	1.5 ounces Scotch .75 ounces sweet vermouth	130
Seven and Seven	1.5 ounces Canadian whiskey 6 ounces lemon-lime soda	175
Whiskey Sour	2 ounces whiskey Juice of 1/2 lemons 1/2 teaspoon powdered sugar 1 cherry 1/2 slice lemon	163
Bellini	1 medium peach 6 ounces Champagne	170
Kir Royale	1 ounce creme de cassis 5 ounces Champagne	185
Cosmopolitan	1.5 ounces 80 proof vodka .25 ounces triple sec 1 ounce cranberry juice Twist of lemon	125

Life in Moderation

They say that everything should be taken in moderation. Even gaining awareness that the alcoholic beverages you enjoy as part of your Saturday night festivities are hindering your diet counts for a lot. Knowing how much of an impact they have on your waistline, you can plan accordingly when you know you're going to be in a social setting where alcohol is consumed.