Would you hesitate if you were aware that your cocktail had the same calorie count as a Happy Meal from McDonald’s? A Pina Colada can contain anywhere between 250 and 650 calories, surpassing the calorie count of a Big Mac, McFlurry, or a child’s meal. Even a Martini, despite being a sophisticated and minimal cocktail, can be as calorific as a snack bag of Dorito’s chips. Health officials in the US have called for nutrition labels on alcoholic drinks, as most drinkers have no idea about the number of calories they consume. The consumption of alcohol increases significantly during holiday seasons like Labor Day weekend, with Americans drinking about 27 percent more and often indulging in binge drinking.
To help you calculate the impact of a weekend of boozing, DailyMail.com has compiled a list of America’s 20 favorite drinks and their respective calorie counts. Earlier this year, the nonprofit American Addiction Centers surveyed 1,000 current drinkers to determine their preferred drinks. Beer ranked at the top of the list, closely followed by wine and classic cocktails like Rum and Coke and Long Island Iced Tea. The calorie content of beer varies widely, with light beers ranging from 95 to 150 calories per 12-ounce serving.
In the US, approximately 213 million people aged 18 and older have reported consuming alcohol at some point in their lives. Around a quarter of men and a fifth of women in the US admitted to binge drinking within the past month. Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in America due to its affordability and widespread availability. Light beers have as low as 95 calories per 12-ounce serving, while heavier options can contain around 150 calories. For reference, a single Heineken contains 142 calories, almost equivalent to a bag of potato chips or two Chips Ahoy! cookies.
Most wines have slightly fewer calories compared to beer, although the serving size is smaller. On average, a five-ounce glass of wine contains around 120 calories, while sweeter flavors can be around 160 calories. The highest-calorie cocktail on the list is a pina colada, with a standard 4.5-ounce serving totaling about 245 calories. However, restaurant servings tend to be larger, reaching up to 650 calories, which is approximately one-third of the daily recommended calorie intake.
Margaritas, another popular choice among US drinkers, have approximately 274 calories in an average eight-ounce serving. The calorie count of restaurant margaritas can be even higher, and they can contain up to 31 grams of sugar, exceeding the American Heart Association’s recommended daily sugar intake for women. Rum and Coke, a favorite among survey respondents, has 185 calories and 25 grams of sugar, equivalent to three mini bags of Skittles or two mini bags of Skittles if made with Diet Coke. Although Diet Coke has no sugar, it is sweetened with aspartame, an artificial sweetener that the World Health Organization has classified as a ‘possible carcinogen.’
However, sake, a Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice, stands at the bottom of the list with just 60 calories per shot, comparable to a handful of raspberries.
Here is the complete list of America’s top 20 alcoholic drinks and their respective calorie equivalents:
– Beer: 95-150 calories (equivalent to a bag of plain potato chips)
– Wine: 120-160 calories (equivalent to a Starbucks Vanilla Bean Scone)
– Rum and Coke: 100-185 calories (equivalent to a Dunkin Iced Latte)
– Margarita: 274 calories (equivalent to 1/4 cup of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream)
– Long Island Iced Tea: 276 calories (equivalent to 20 ounces of Coca-Cola)
– Pina Colada: 245-650 calories (equivalent to a McDonald’s Big Mac or McFlurry)
– Daiquiri: 137 calories (equivalent to a brownie)
– Vodka Cranberry: 100-130 calories (equivalent to two OREO cookies)
– Champagne: 80 calories (equivalent to Greek yogurt)
– Gin and Tonic: 140-190 calories (equivalent to Peanut M&Ms)
– Mojito: 170-250 calories (equivalent to a Wendy’s Frosty Jr)
– Vodka Soda: 80-130 calories (equivalent to a Snack Pack pudding)
– Sex on the Beach: 234 calories (equivalent to a McDonald’s Baked Apple Pie)
– Whiskey Sour: 162 calories (equivalent to a Starbucks Cake Pop)
– Moscow Mule: 182 calories (equivalent to two tablespoons of peanut butter)
– Martini: 125-140 calories (equivalent to Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips)
– Old Fashioned: 145-175 calories (equivalent to Sour Patch Kids)
– Vodka Red Bull: 126-212 calories (equivalent to three Dunkin Munchkins)
– Bloody Mary: 140 calories (equivalent to two Chips Ahoy! cookies)
– Sake: 60 calories (equivalent to a handful of raspberries)
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