Holiday Drinking Guide: Ranking 4 Alcoholic Drinks Based on Their Calories

Before you get excited to drink that third glass of eggnog, there’s that pesky little voice at the back of your head reminding you that calories don’t take a holiday and that you’ve included in your New Year’s resolutions (again) that you’ll try to be healthier. So, if you’ve found yourself wondering if that next glass is worth the 343 calories or if you should just go straight for the vodka, you can stop wondering. We’ve created the ultimate drinking guide. Because let’s face it, if you’re going to indulge during the holidays, you might as well know how long it would take you to burn off all those calories next year, right?  

Let’s start with eggnog since it’s an indulgence that’s mostly available during this season. It’s creamy, boozy, and the kind of drink that turns “just one glass” into “oh, I guess I’ll have another.” While it’s undeniably delicious and holiday-appropriate, eggnog is one of the heaviest drinks in terms of calories. A cup of 8 oz is about 343 calories and will take you 96 minutes of walking, 53 minutes of cycling or 29 minutes of swimming, per CalorieKing.  

So, is it worth it? Absolutely! After all, drinking eggnog during Christmas is a tradition. Just be prepared to get sweaty next year.  

When the air is crisp, and your body needs a little something to warm it up while walking around Christmas markets, mulled wine is an apt drink. It’s fancy, festive, and only has 178 calories, according to Nutriotinix.  

Sure, mulled wine can vary in calorie count depending on how much brandy and sugar are added to the mix, but it’s still a solid holiday drink without overindulging in caloric intake. Bonus tip: If you bought one with a buy-one-get-one offer, you could gift the other bottle to a friend, or if you can resist the temptation, save it for your New Year’s celebration.  

If you want to be fancy and extra during the holidays, you can never go wrong with a glass of champagne. Champagne is one of the lighter alcohol options for holiday drinking. A standard glass of 5 ounces will only set you back about 90-100 calories, per Champagne Club. So, don’t feel guilty if you want to indulge; pop that cork! It’s a light, festive choice that won’t leave you regretting your decisions in January when you start your new exercise regimen.  

Another relatively calorie-friendly drink is gin and tonic. According to York Gin, the average calories in gin and tonic is around 97 calories. However, there are several factors that affect this figure, such as the amount of gin (single or double), the strength of alcohol, and the tonic (regular, low or zero-calorie options).  

Just don’t go overboard with the tonic since some varieties are packed with sugar. Choose a lighter tonic if you’re watching the calories.  

Whether you’re indulging in a rich and creamy eggnog, toasting with bubbly champagne, or keeping it light with a gin and tonic, the key to surviving holiday drinking is balance. So, pick your poison, sip responsibly, and indulge in moderation. Cheers!