Introduction
When it comes to cocktails, it’s easy to get carried away and forget about the health implications of what we’re drinking. Unfortunately, some of the most popular cocktails are also some of the unhealthiest. From sugary margaritas to creamy daiquiris, these drinks can be loaded with calories, sugar, and unhealthy ingredients. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 unhealthiest cocktails on the planet and provide healthier alternatives. So, if you’re looking to make healthier choices when it comes to your cocktails, read on to find out which drinks to avoid and which ones to enjoy.
These Are the 10 Unhealthiest Cocktails on the Planet — Eat This Not That
When it comes to cocktails, it’s easy to get carried away with the delicious flavors and forget about the health implications. Unfortunately, some of the most popular cocktails are also some of the unhealthiest. From sugary margaritas to creamy daiquiris, these drinks can pack a serious caloric punch. Here are the 10 unhealthiest cocktails on the planet — and what you should be drinking instead.
1. Margarita
The classic margarita is a favorite for many, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest cocktails out there. A single margarita can contain up to 500 calories, thanks to the sugary mixers and syrups used to make it. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a skinny margarita made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar.
2. Long Island Iced Tea
This popular drink is a mix of vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and triple sec, all topped off with a splash of cola. It may taste delicious, but it’s also incredibly unhealthy. A single Long Island Iced Tea can contain up to 800 calories, so it’s best to avoid this one if you’re watching your waistline.
3. Pina Colada
This creamy, tropical drink is a favorite for many, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest cocktails out there. A single pina colada can contain up to 700 calories, thanks to the sugary mixers and syrups used to make it. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a skinny pina colada made with fresh pineapple juice and coconut water.
4. Daiquiri
This classic cocktail is a mix of rum, lime juice, and sugar, and it can be incredibly sweet. A single daiquiri can contain up to 500 calories, so it’s best to avoid this one if you’re watching your waistline. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a skinny daiquiri made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar.
5. Mai Tai
This tropical drink is a mix of rum, orange liqueur, and pineapple juice, and it can be incredibly sweet. A single mai tai can contain up to 500 calories, so it’s best to avoid this one if you’re watching your waistline. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a skinny mai tai made with fresh pineapple juice and coconut water.
6. Mojito
This classic Cuban cocktail is a mix of rum, lime juice, and sugar, and it can be incredibly sweet. A single mojito can contain up to 500 calories, so it’s best to avoid this one if you’re watching your waistline. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a skinny mojito made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar.
7. White Russian
This creamy cocktail is a mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, and it can be incredibly sweet. A single white Russian can contain up to 500 calories, so it’s best to avoid this one if you’re watching your waistline. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a skinny white Russian made with skim milk and agave nectar.
8. Cosmopolitan
This popular drink is a mix of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice, and it can be incredibly sweet. A single cosmopolitan can contain up to 500 calories, so it’s best to avoid this one if you’re watching your waistline. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a skinny cosmopolitan made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar.
9. Bloody Mary
This classic brunch cocktail is a mix of vodka, tomato juice, and spices, and it can be incredibly savory. A single bloody mary can contain up to 500 calories, so it’s best to avoid this one if you’re watching your waistline. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a skinny bloody mary made with fresh tomato juice and low-sodium Worcestershire sauce.
10. Sangria
This fruity drink is a mix of wine, brandy, and fruit juice, and it can be incredibly sweet. A single sangria can contain up to 500 calories, so it’s best to avoid this one if you’re watching your waistline. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a skinny sangria made with fresh fruit juice and sparkling water.
When it comes to cocktails, it’s important to remember that not all drinks are created equal. While some cocktails can be incredibly unhealthy, there are plenty of healthier alternatives that can still be delicious. So next time you’re out for drinks, be sure to choose wisely!
No cocktail is healthy, however, there are ones that are much worse for you than others—no question about it. Even if you don’t order the most extravagant beverage with lots of ingredients and added sugars on the menu, some of the classic cocktails that you’d get out at a bar also surprisingly pack a fair amount of sugar and calories.
Below, you’ll see 10 beloved cocktails with the most sugar and calories per 8-ounce serving. We primarily grabbed nutrition data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central.
Here they are ranked from bad to the absolute worst…
(Plus, if you want something healthy check out The #1 Best Juice to Drink Every Day, Says Science.)
Per 8 ounces: 418 calories and 12.9 grams of sugar
The mint julep, aka the signature drink at the Kentucky Derby, is made with bourbon, simple syrup, and mint leaves. According to the USDA, per 8-ounce serving, there are over 400 calories and about 13 grams of sugar.
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Per 8 ounces: 241 calories, 19 grams sugar
The Long Island Iced Tea packs gin, white rum, silver tequila, vodka, triple sec, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and cola. Traditionally, this beverage is served in a pint glass, which means you’re really consuming double the calories and sugar listed above.
Per 8 ounces: 396 calories and 21.5 grams of sugar
This creamy drink is made with vodka, Kahlúa, and heavy cream and has about 22 grams of sugar.
384 calories and 23.8 grams of sugar
One martini glass-full of the Mudslide cocktail has as much sugar as one Hershey’s chocolate bar—and that’s excluding the garnishes. This decadent drink consists of vodka, Kahlúa, Irish cream liqueur, and heavy cream. Some bartenders will likely even add in chocolate syrup along the sides of the glass, which adds even more sugar.
Per 8 ounces: 203 calories and 25.5 grams of sugar
This refreshing cocktail contains white rum, simple syrup, club soda, fresh lime juice, and mint leaves. Altogether, one 8-ounce Mojito has about 26 grams of sugar.
Per 8 ounces: 351 calories and 30.4 grams of sugar
In Tahitian, Mai Tai means “the best—out of this world.” For nearly 31 grams of sugar, we hope this cocktail is worth the sugar bomb.
Per 8 ounces: 274 calories and 36.1 grams of sugar
Who doesn’t love a tangy margarita with a salted rim? Unfortunately, it’s one of the sugariest cocktails of them all, with most mixes costing you about 36 grams of sugar per 8 ounces.
Per 8 ounces: 277 calories and 36.2 grams of sugar
According to the USDA, some whiskey sours can contain as much as 36 grams of sugar in an 8-ounce serving.
Per 8 ounces: 286 calories and 39.7 grams of sugar
One of the sugariest cocktails you can order is a frozen Daiquiri. Clocking in at around 40 grams of sugar, the cocktail, which comprises of just three ingredients light rum, fresh lime juice, and Demerara sugar syrup, is one that should be had in moderation.
Per 8 ounces: 340 calories and 39.6 grams of sugar
Do you want a Piña Colada? More like, do you want about 40 grams of sugar at least? At some restaurants, the Piña Colada may be served in a glass that’s double the size of a normal serving. Not to mention, it’s one of the most caloric cocktails by nature, consisting of white and dark rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and fresh pineapple.
For more, check out The Unhealthiest Restaurant Cocktails in America.
Eat This, Not That!