See the hidden calories in wine, beer, and cocktails. Pick your drinks, set quantities, and instantly see how they fit your daily calorie budget.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram — nearly as much as fat (9 kcal/g) and almost double carbohydrates (4 kcal/g). A standard 5 oz glass of wine contains around 125 calories, a pint of beer 180–250 calories, and a cocktail like a margarita can exceed 300 calories before you account for mixers.
Alcohol is metabolised before carbohydrates and fat, effectively pausing fat burning while your body processes it. For women, alcohol also disrupts sleep quality and elevates cortisol — both of which increase appetite and promote fat storage around the abdomen. Limiting alcohol to 1–2 drinks maximum on social occasions, rather than daily drinking, has the least impact on body composition.
Champagne and prosecco (85–100 kcal per 4 oz), light beer (90–110 kcal per 12 oz), and spirits served neat or with soda water (65–80 kcal per 1 oz) are consistently lower in calories than cocktails, wine, or craft beer. Avoiding sugary mixers is the single biggest lever for reducing alcohol calories.