It's no accident that paunches are often called beer bellies: Drinking can be fattening. The University of Rochester notes that not only is alcohol high in calories but it reduces the amount of fat your body metabolizes. You can still lift a few glasses--responsibly, of course--without wrecking your diet. If you do decide to go for broke and enjoy a frozen daiquiri, knowing how many calories it contains can give you an idea of how much time you will need to spend on the treadmill the next day.
Gin, Vodka, Whiskey and Rum
Hard liquor has a high calorie content, considering the small amount of liquid that constitutes a shot, normally defined as 1.5 oz. According to the website Diet Knowledge, 1 oz. of 80 proof distilled whiskey, rum, vodka or gin contains 64.2 calories per oz., which translates to 97 calories a shot.
Calories in Popular Mixed Drinks
A gin and tonic, made with 2 oz. gin and 5 oz. tonic water, is a relatively modest 27 calories per oz., setting you back 190 calories for a 7-oz. serving. According to the website Cocktail Calories, a Bloody Mary in a 4.6-oz. old-fashioned glass will cost you 120 calories. The website Calorie King notes that a martini in a 2.2-oz. cocktail glass, without olive or onion, contains 135 calories.
Diet Wreckers
Combine alcohol with sugary juices and multiple mixers, and you have a drink that will torpedo your diet. According to Cocktail Calories, a melon daiquri contains a staggering 217 calories per oz., resulting in an intake of 868 calories for a 4-oz. serving. The frozen pineapple daiquiri, weighing in at 168 calories per oz., is no lightweight either; a 4-oz. serving will set you back 672 calories. Drinks made with sweet liqueurs, such as amaretto, can add up as well; an amaretto stinger contains 111 calories per oz. Calorie King states that the classic pina colada--made with rum, pineapple juice and coconut juice--contains 245 calories in a 4.5-oz. serving. Drinks that combine both cream and liqueurs also pack a caloric punch; the classic White Russian carries 320 calories in a 6-oz. serving.
Low-Calorie Choices
Your best bet for low-calorie drinking is to use diet mixers or low-calorie juices. You can save calories by substituting a vodka and soda for a vodka tonic; soda water has fewer calories than tonic water, which contains sugar. A rum and diet cola made with 1 oz. of rum contains a scant 62 calories. If you want to save calories on a Bloody Mary, bypass the commercial Bloody Mary mix in favor of 4 oz. of tomato juice and use 1 oz. of vodka; the drink will only cost you 90 calories.
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