Nutrition

How Many Calories in Alcohol: Complete Guide by Drink Type

Updated March 18, 2026•12 min read

By Daily Nutrition Tracker Editorial Team · Reviewed by nutrition professionals

**How many calories in alcohol**: **Beer** (155 cal regular, 103 cal light), **wine** (125 cal red, 121 cal white), **spirits** (97 cal per shot), **cocktails** (280-540 cal). Alcohol = **7 cal/gram**. **Mixers add calories**. **Lowest**: Light beer, wine, spirits + soda water. **Highest**: Frozen cocktails, craft beer, creamy drinks.

Key Takeaways

✓Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram (more than carbs/protein at 4 cal/g)
✓Regular beer: 155 cal per 12 oz, light beer: 103 cal per 12 oz
✓Wine: 120-125 calories per 5 oz glass (red, white, rosé)
✓Spirits: 97 calories per 1.5 oz shot (vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey)
✓Cocktails range from 146 cal (cosmopolitan) to 540 cal (Long Island iced tea)

Calories in Beer

Regular Beer Calories

Beer Type	Serving Size	Calories	Carbs (g)	Alcohol %
Regular beer (average)	12 oz	155 cal	13g	5%
Budweiser	12 oz	145 cal	11g	5%
Coors	12 oz	149 cal	12g	5%
Miller Genuine Draft	12 oz	143 cal	13g	4.7%
Corona Extra	12 oz	148 cal	14g	4.6%
Heineken	12 oz	142 cal	11g	5%

Light Beer Calories

Beer Type	Serving Size	Calories	Carbs (g)	Alcohol %
Light beer (average)	12 oz	103 cal	6g	4.2%
Bud Light	12 oz	110 cal	7g	4.2%
Coors Light	12 oz	102 cal	5g	4.2%
Miller Lite	12 oz	96 cal	3g	4.2%
Michelob Ultra	12 oz	95 cal	3g	4.2%
Corona Light	12 oz	99 cal	5g	4.1%

Craft Beer and IPA Calories

Beer Type	Serving Size	Calories	Carbs (g)	Alcohol %
IPA (average)	12 oz	200 cal	15g	6-7%
Double IPA	12 oz	250 cal	20g	8-10%
Stout	12 oz	210 cal	20g	5-7%
Porter	12 oz	200 cal	18g	5-6%
Wheat beer	12 oz	164 cal	16g	4.5%

Craft beers and IPAs contain significantly more calories than regular beer due to higher alcohol content and more malt/hops. A pint (16 oz) of IPA can contain 260-330 calories.

Calories in Wine

Wine Calories by Type

Wine Type	Serving Size	Calories	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Red wine (average)	5 oz	125 cal	4g	1g
White wine (average)	5 oz	121 cal	4g	1g
Rosé wine	5 oz	126 cal	5g	1g
Champagne/Prosecco	5 oz	96 cal	2g	1g
Dessert wine (sweet)	3.5 oz	165 cal	14g	12g
Port wine	3.5 oz	185 cal	14g	10g

Red Wine Calories

Red Wine Variety	Serving Size	Calories	Alcohol %
Cabernet Sauvignon	5 oz	123 cal	13.5%
Merlot	5 oz	122 cal	13.5%
Pinot Noir	5 oz	121 cal	13.4%
Syrah/Shiraz	5 oz	122 cal	13.5%
Zinfandel	5 oz	129 cal	14.5%

White Wine Calories

White Wine Variety	Serving Size	Calories	Alcohol %
Chardonnay	5 oz	123 cal	13.5%
Sauvignon Blanc	5 oz	119 cal	12.5%
Pinot Grigio	5 oz	122 cal	12.5%
Riesling (dry)	5 oz	118 cal	12%
Riesling (sweet)	5 oz	160 cal	12%

Wine calories come primarily from alcohol content. Dry wines have fewer calories than sweet wines due to lower residual sugar. A standard bottle (750ml) contains 5 servings and 600-625 calories.

Calories in Spirits and Liquor

Spirits Calories (80 Proof)

Spirit Type	Serving Size	Calories	Carbs (g)	Alcohol %
Vodka	1.5 oz (1 shot)	97 cal	0g	40%
Rum	1.5 oz (1 shot)	97 cal	0g	40%
Gin	1.5 oz (1 shot)	97 cal	0g	40%
Tequila	1.5 oz (1 shot)	97 cal	0g	40%
Whiskey	1.5 oz (1 shot)	97 cal	0g	40%
Bourbon	1.5 oz (1 shot)	97 cal	0g	40%

Liqueurs and Flavored Spirits

Liqueur Type	Serving Size	Calories	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Bailey's Irish Cream	1.5 oz	147 cal	11g	9g
Kahlua	1.5 oz	160 cal	22g	20g
Amaretto	1.5 oz	165 cal	17g	16g
Triple Sec	1.5 oz	102 cal	11g	10g
Jagermeister	1.5 oz	103 cal	11g	10g
Fireball Whiskey	1.5 oz	108 cal	11g	11g

Higher Proof Spirits

Spirit Type	Serving Size	Calories	Alcohol %
Vodka (100 proof)	1.5 oz	124 cal	50%
Rum (151 proof)	1.5 oz	182 cal	75.5%
Everclear (190 proof)	1.5 oz	226 cal	95%

Pure spirits contain no carbs or sugar - all calories come from alcohol (7 cal/gram). Higher proof = more alcohol = more calories. Flavored spirits and liqueurs contain added sugar, increasing calorie content significantly.

Calories in Cocktails

Popular Cocktail Calories

Cocktail	Serving Size	Calories	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Margarita	8 oz	280 cal	36g	24g
Piña Colada	9 oz	490 cal	64g	56g
Long Island Iced Tea	8 oz	540 cal	44g	40g
Mojito	8 oz	217 cal	25g	20g
Cosmopolitan	4 oz	146 cal	13g	10g
Daiquiri	6 oz	259 cal	33g	28g
Mai Tai	8 oz	350 cal	46g	40g
Mudslide	8 oz	550 cal	46g	40g

Lower-Calorie Cocktails

Cocktail	Serving Size	Calories	How to Make
Vodka Soda	8 oz	100 cal	Vodka + soda water + lime
Gin & Tonic (diet)	8 oz	100 cal	Gin + diet tonic water
Rum & Diet Coke	8 oz	100 cal	Rum + diet cola
Wine Spritzer	8 oz	80 cal	Wine + soda water (50/50)
Skinny Margarita	6 oz	150 cal	Tequila + lime juice + stevia
Paloma (light)	8 oz	120 cal	Tequila + grapefruit + soda water

Why Cocktails Are High in Calories

Multiple shots of alcohol (2-4 shots = 200-400 cal)
Sugary mixers: juice, soda, simple syrup (adds 100-300 cal)
Cream-based ingredients: Bailey's, coconut cream (adds 100-200 cal)
Large serving sizes (8-12 oz vs 1.5 oz shot)
Frozen cocktails with added sugar (extra 100-200 cal)

Calories in Mixers

Common Mixer Calories

Mixer	Serving Size	Calories	Sugar (g)
Regular soda (Coke, Pepsi)	8 oz	100 cal	27g
Tonic water	8 oz	83 cal	21g
Orange juice	8 oz	110 cal	21g
Cranberry juice	8 oz	116 cal	28g
Pineapple juice	8 oz	132 cal	25g
Energy drink (Red Bull)	8 oz	110 cal	27g
Margarita mix	4 oz	100 cal	24g
Simple syrup	1 oz	100 cal	25g

Low-Calorie Mixer Alternatives

Mixer	Serving Size	Calories	Sugar (g)
Soda water/Club soda	8 oz	0 cal	0g
Diet soda	8 oz	0 cal	0g
Diet tonic water	8 oz	0 cal	0g
Fresh lime/lemon juice	1 oz	8 cal	1g
Sugar-free energy drink	8 oz	10 cal	0g
Sparkling water	8 oz	0 cal	0g

Mixers can double or triple the calories in your drink. A vodka shot (97 cal) + regular soda (100 cal) = 197 cal. Same vodka + soda water = 97 cal. For more calorie information, see our how many calories in common foods guide.

Why Alcohol Has So Many Calories

Calories Per Gram by Macronutrient

Macronutrient	Calories per Gram	Example
Carbohydrates	4 cal/g	Sugar, bread, pasta
Protein	4 cal/g	Chicken, fish, eggs
Alcohol	7 cal/g	Beer, wine, spirits
Fat	9 cal/g	Oil, butter, nuts

How Alcohol Calories Add Up

Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram (almost as much as fat)
Provides energy but zero nutrients (empty calories)
Body prioritizes burning alcohol over fat (stops fat burning)
Often consumed with high-calorie mixers and food
Easy to drink multiple servings (500-1,000+ calories per night)

Alcohol Content and Calories

Higher alcohol percentage = more calories. This is why:

Light beer (4.2% alcohol) has fewer calories than regular beer (5%)
Wine (12-14% alcohol) has more calories than beer per ounce
Spirits (40% alcohol) have the most calories per ounce
Double IPAs (8-10% alcohol) have more calories than regular IPAs
Higher proof spirits (100 proof vs 80 proof) have 25% more calories

Lowest and Highest Calorie Alcoholic Drinks

Lowest Calorie Alcoholic Drinks

Drink	Calories	Why It's Low
Michelob Ultra (12 oz)	95 cal	Lowest calorie beer
Champagne (5 oz)	96 cal	Lower alcohol than wine
Vodka soda (1 shot + soda)	97 cal	No mixer calories
Light beer (12 oz)	100-110 cal	Lower alcohol and carbs
Gin & diet tonic	100 cal	Zero-calorie mixer
Dry wine (5 oz)	120-130 cal	Lower sugar than sweet wine

Highest Calorie Alcoholic Drinks

Drink	Calories	Why It's High
Mudslide	550 cal	Vodka, Kahlua, Bailey's, ice cream
Long Island Iced Tea	540 cal	4-5 different liquors + cola
Piña Colada	490 cal	Rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice
Frozen Margarita	400 cal	Tequila, triple sec, sugar, ice
Mai Tai	350 cal	Multiple rums, juice, syrup
Craft IPA (16 oz pint)	260-330 cal	High alcohol content

Tips to Reduce Alcohol Calories

Choose light beer over regular beer (saves 50 cal)
Order spirits with soda water instead of juice/soda (saves 100-150 cal)
Drink wine spritzer (wine + soda water) to reduce calories 40%
Avoid frozen and creamy cocktails (save 300-400 cal)
Alternate alcoholic drinks with water (reduces total intake)
Use diet mixers or zero-calorie options

For strategies on drinking while losing weight, see our alcohol and weight loss guide.

How to Track Alcohol Calories

Tracking Beer Calories

Check can/bottle label for exact calories
Regular beer: ~155 cal per 12 oz
Light beer: ~100 cal per 12 oz
Craft beer/IPA: ~200-250 cal per 12 oz
Pint (16 oz) = 1.33x the 12 oz calories

Tracking Wine Calories

Standard pour: 5 oz = 120-125 calories
Restaurant pour: Often 6-8 oz = 145-200 calories
Bottle (750ml): 5 servings = 600-625 calories total
Champagne: Slightly lower at 96 cal per 5 oz
Sweet/dessert wine: Higher at 160-185 cal per serving

Tracking Spirits and Cocktails

One shot (1.5 oz) spirits: 97 calories
Add mixer calories separately
Cocktails: Look up specific recipe or use 250-400 cal estimate
Restaurant cocktails: Often 300-500 calories (larger pours)
Use our calorie calculator to track daily intake including alcohol

For comprehensive calorie tracking and meal planning, see our meal prep ideas for weight loss guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in alcohol?

Alcohol calories by type: (1) Beer: Regular 155 cal/12 oz, light 103 cal/12 oz, craft IPA 200-250 cal/12 oz, (2) Wine: Red/white 120-125 cal/5 oz, champagne 96 cal/5 oz, dessert wine 165 cal/3.5 oz, (3) Spirits: Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey all 97 cal per 1.5 oz shot (80 proof), (4) Cocktails: Cosmopolitan 146 cal, mojito 217 cal, margarita 280 cal, piña colada 490 cal, Long Island iced tea 540 cal. Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram (vs carbs/protein 4 cal/g, fat 9 cal/g). Mixers add 80-150 calories. See our alcohol and weight loss guide for impact on weight.

What alcohol has the least calories?

Lowest calorie alcohol options: (1) Michelob Ultra 12 oz (95 cal - lowest calorie beer), (2) Champagne 5 oz (96 cal), (3) Vodka/gin/rum/tequila/whiskey 1.5 oz shot (97 cal), (4) Light beer 12 oz (100-110 cal), (5) Dry wine 5 oz (120-130 cal). To minimize calories: Choose spirits with soda water (not juice/tonic), drink wine spritzer (wine + soda water), use diet mixers, avoid frozen/creamy cocktails. One vodka soda = 97 cal vs piña colada = 490 cal (saves 393 cal). See our portion control guide for more strategies.

How many calories in a shot of vodka?

Vodka calories: One shot (1.5 oz) of 80 proof vodka = 97 calories, 0g carbs, 0g sugar. All calories come from alcohol (7 cal/gram). Higher proof vodka has more calories: 100 proof vodka = 124 cal/shot. Vodka with mixers: Vodka + soda water = 97 cal, vodka + regular soda = 197 cal, vodka + orange juice = 207 cal, vodka + cranberry juice = 213 cal. Best choice: Vodka with soda water and lime (97 cal total). All spirits (rum, gin, tequila, whiskey) have same calories as vodka when same proof. See our how many calories in common foods guide.

How many calories in a glass of wine?

Wine calories per 5 oz glass: Red wine 125 cal, white wine 121 cal, rosé 126 cal, champagne/prosecco 96 cal, dessert wine 165 cal (3.5 oz). Restaurant pours often 6-8 oz = 145-200 calories. Full bottle (750ml, 5 servings) = 600-625 calories. Dry wines have fewer calories than sweet wines (lower residual sugar). Wine calories come from alcohol content (12-14%). To reduce: Drink wine spritzer (wine + soda water, saves 40% calories), choose champagne (lowest at 96 cal), measure pours at home. See our meal prep guide for healthy eating strategies.

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