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Alcohol's Hidden Calories in Popular Drinks

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/06/18 - Updated: 2025/12/17
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Category Topic: Calculators - Charts - Related Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This information provides a straightforward reference for comparing the caloric content of popular alcoholic beverages, drawing on nutritional research about how alcohol is metabolized. The resource is authoritative because it's grounded in scientific findings - particularly research on alcohol's metabolic properties (7 calories per gram, second only to fat) and Canadian studies demonstrating that alcohol increases appetite more than comparable carbohydrate drinks. This matters for anyone monitoring their calorie intake, particularly older adults and those managing weight-related health conditions, since the combination of alcohol's appetite-stimulating effects with its high caloric density creates a compounding factor often overlooked in casual drinking - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

The calorie chart below provides information on the number of calories in a selection of popular alcoholic drinks. Often when people start dieting they will also choose low-calorie alcoholic drinks, mainly because they contain fewer alcohol calories than regular full strength drinks.

Main Content

The combination of alcohol and a high-calorie meal is especially fattening, mainly because alcohol acts as a potent appetizer. The calories in alcohol are metabolized first by the body, ahead of burning fat - which is not desirable if on a weight loss diet. With 7 calories per gram, the number of calories in alcohol is second only after fat (9 Cals/g).

A Canadian study shows that an aperitif (an alcoholic drink taken before a meal to increase the appetite) increased calorie intake to a greater extent than a carbohydrate-based drink. The following chart shows how many calories there are in a selection of alcohol products.

Calories in Alcoholic Drinks
Type of AlcoholSize of DrinkNumber of Calories
Baileys Irish Cream 1 glass 120
Bacardi 1 glass 118
Beer Half liter 184
Brandy 100ml 220
Champagne 100ml 126
Cider Half liter 200
Drambuie 100ml 184
Gin 100ml 220
Lager Half liter 180
Martini 100ml 175
Malibu 100ml 204
Pernod 100ml 140
Port 100ml 160
Rose 100ml 62
Rum 100ml 220
Sherry dry 100ml 110
Sherry medium 100ml 112
Sherry sweet 100ml 130
Southern Comfort 100ml 184
Tia Maria 100ml 155
Wine red 100ml 70
Wine white dry 100ml 65
Wine white medium 100ml 70
Wine white sweet 100ml 90
Wine white sparkling 100ml 74
Whiskey 100ml 220

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The caloric reality of alcohol deserves more attention than it typically receives in everyday conversations about diet and health. Most people know that spirits contain calories, yet few understand the mechanics: alcohol is burned first by the body, effectively putting any fat-burning on hold while your system processes those 220 calories in a standard shot of whiskey. For those managing their weight or health - whether due to aging, chronic conditions, or general wellness goals - this chart removes the guesswork. The data underscores a simple truth that extends beyond weight loss: informed choices about what we drink matter just as much as informed choices about what we eat - Disabled World (DW).

Ian C. Langtree Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his .

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APA: Disabled World. (2009, June 18 - Last revised: 2025, December 17). Alcohol's Hidden Calories in Popular Drinks. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 19, 2026 from www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/alcohol-calories-chart.php
MLA: Disabled World. "Alcohol's Hidden Calories in Popular Drinks." Disabled World (DW), 18 Jun. 2009, revised 17 Dec. 2025. Web. 19 Feb. 2026. <www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/alcohol-calories-chart.php>.
Chicago: Disabled World. "Alcohol's Hidden Calories in Popular Drinks." Disabled World (DW). Last modified December 17, 2025. www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/alcohol-calories-chart.php.

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