Alcohol's Hidden Calories: Beverage Comparison Chart
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/06/18 - Updated: 2024/07/26
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Category Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Alcohol calorie chart showing the amount of calories in a range of popular alcoholic beverages. The combination of alcohol and a high-calorie meal is especially fattening, mainly because alcohol acts as a potent appetizer.
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.
| Type of Alcohol | Size of Drink | Number 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 |
Related Information
- New Study Debunks Myth: Moderate Drinking Doesn't Extend Lifespan: In reality moderate drinking likely does not extend people's lives and carries potential health hazards including increased risks of certain cancers.
- Red Wine Good for Heart - White Wine Good for Lungs: University at Buffalo study reveals drinking wine recently, and over a lifetime, associated with better lung function.
- Resveratrol in Red Wine - Exercise in a Bottle: Resveratrol a healthy ingredient in red wine may prevent negative effects that spaceflight and sedentary lifestyles have on people.
- Red Wine Health Benefits: Mystery unraveled that has perplexed scientists since red wine was first discovered to have health benefits.
- Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Help Seniors Keep Disabilities Away: Moderate consumption of alcohol may help prevent the development of physical disability in seniors.
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 full biography.