Calories in Our Favorite 7 Alcoholic Drinks

We tend to overlook the calories our favorite drinks contain, but a single night out can cost a massive 1,000 or more calories in alcohol alone. Add on the snacks and post-booze takeaway, and you’ve already consumed a couple of day’s worth of calories.

You don’t need to stop drinking alcohol altogether, but it makes sense to choose the lowest calorie drinks, and it’s a great idea to alternate them with a low-cal non-alcoholic drink throughout the night.

Here’s the run-down of the highest calorie drink choices to the lowest:

Margarita

A single Margarita contains around 168 calories per 4 oz on average. A traditional margarita is made from tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, but busy bartenders often use high-calorie mixers to save time. These mixers can have up to five teaspoon’s worth of sugar in them, so if you have a few refills it will soon add up.

Gin and Tonic

Good old G and T is surprisingly calorific, with around 142 calories per 1.5 oz gin, 4.5 oz tonic.

You may be surprised that tonic water contains such a lot of calories, but it’s often made with high-fructose corn syrup – the same sweetener used in cola. Try having club soda with your gin for a lighter option instead.

Red Wine

125 calories per 5 oz

Lovers of red wine may be disappointed that their favorite drink isn’t lower on the calorie charts, but the antioxidants it contains more than make up for that.

Martini

124 calories per 2.25 oz serving

Martini comes in fourth on the list, but as it’s made from only gin and vermouth it’s not as healthy as red wine.

White Wine

121 calories per 5 oz

Chilled white wine is so refreshing on a summer’s day, but calorie content depends on the type you choose. Dry whites, such as pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc usually have less sugar content than sweeter ones like Riesling.

Light Beer

103 calories per 12 oz

Beer may actually be healthier than red wine, which is good news for beer lovers. Beers contain several B vitamins, and a 12 oz serving contains more calcium, magnesium, and selenium than a serving of wine. If you prefer regular beer to light, it will cost you around 160 calories per 12 oz.

Vodka Soda

At a mere 97 calories per 1.5 oz vodka, a vodka soda is probably the least costly in calories, and could save you a bad hangover as the soda water hydrates you.