Drink This, Not That: Calories in Popular Alcoholic Drinks

Alcoholic drinks can range from 60-600 calories in a single 8oz serving so knowing the calories in popular alcoholic drinks can save you from excessive empty calories. It’s also important to keep an eye on how many drinks you have throughout the night. Sticking to low calorie alcoholic drinks is a great way to enjoy your night without thinking about what’s in your hand.

Beers or Light Beers

A regular beer has about 150 calories so many people think that a light beer is a better option. But the majority of light beers are only about 30 calories less ranging from about 100-110 calories. Only Michelob Golden Draft’s light version had significantly less calories at 65. Beer is also higher in carbohydrates then other alcoholic beverages, about 10-12g in a regular beer and 4-6g in a light beer.

Tequila

Depending on which tequila you choose, your shot can range from 65-100 calories. Standard Patron has about 104 calories while Patron Silver has only 69. Whether you are taking shots or mixing your tequila into cocktails, remember to stay hydrated throughout the night. Many people complain of headaches and hangovers the morning after drinking tequila, or too much in general, but that’s usually a result of dehydration so make sure to drink plenty of water.

Vodka, Gin, Rum, and Whiskey

Vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey all average about 65 calories for each shot but you also need to keep in mind what kind of mixer you are using and how many calories and grams of sugar are in each serving. Sticking with diet sodas and tonic will probably be your best bet as you can usually have the taste without any of the calories. Try mixing flavored vodka with soda water or tonic. If you use juice, try to stick with orange and pineapple juice to avoid sugary cocktails but keep in mind that you’re adding an average of 60-150 extra calories for each oz serving.

Wine

Wines range from about 20 calories for a rose wine to about 85 calories in a white wine. It’s so easy to enjoy a few glasses of wine with dinner but it’s important to remember that each glass has extra calories and extra carbohydrates that need to be accounted for at the end of the day

Knowing the calories in popular alcoholic drinks is important but no matter what you’re drinking, remember the key to living a healthy lifestyle is learning moderation. Drinking too much or drinking everyday can cause problems for your waistline as well as having an adverse effect on other aspects of your health. Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat something before or when you drink alcohol and if you wake up in the morning with a headache or full blown hangover, try to remember to get and stay hydrated.

References:

Calories in Alcoholic Drinks, https://caloriecount.about.com/calories-alcoholic-drinks-ic1401

Calories in Patron, https://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/patron/tequila