It’s that time of year when even the most disciplined among us start counting Baileys as a legitimate food group. The fridge is 90 per cent fizz, mulled wine is flowing from lunchtime, and every invitation arrives with the unspoken understanding that you will leave slightly sticky from spilt prosecco and a sore head the following morning.
But a hangover isn’t the only nasty surprise that these tipples deliver. We often discount liquid calories, but some common Christmas drinks can be absolutely stuffed with them, and thus a major contributor to our dismay with the number on the scales in January.
So how can we indulge without worrying about piling on the pounds? We asked top nutritionist Adrienne Benjamin, who specialises in gut and digestive health at ProVen Biotics, to rank the calorie-count of the nation’s favourite Christmas drinks.
‘Festive drinks are delicious and fun,’ Benjamin conceded, ‘but be mindful that creamy or sugary options are going to be higher in calories. Lighter cocktails or alternating with non-alcoholic drinks can help you enjoy the season without rocketing your daily calorie intake.’
So before you raise another glass in the name of ‘festive spirit’, here’s the good, the bad, and the absolutely awful (apologies in advance to the Bailey’s lovers). Cheers!
Christmas drinks ranked from least to most calorific
1. Mimosa
Lots of us kick off Christmas Day with a mimosa or bucks fizz, which is usually made by mixing champagne, prosecco or cava with chilled orange juice. According to Benjamin, while adding syrups or using overly processed orange juice can increase sugar levels, a simple version with prosecco or champagne and freshly squeezed fruit juice is the lightest, and lowest calorie, option to indulge in this Christmas.
Calories per serving: 80kcal
2. Bloody Mary
Another brunch staple, a Bloody Mary is another tipple that’s relatively low-calorie. While tomato juice does add some calories, it’s not as sugary as most cocktails and the traditional recipe – vodka, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and tomato juice – doesn’t require any syrups or creamy additions. However, a virgin version comes in closer to 50kcal, which is food for thought at your next brunch
Calories per serving: 100kcal
3. Champagne Cocktail
A Champagne cocktail is made with sugar, Angostura bitters, champagne, brandy and usually garnished with a maraschino cherry. It’s a popular choice to impress Christmas guests, and relatively diet friendly, according to Benjamin.
While more calorific than a Mimosa given the addition of sugar and bitters, she explains, if you use dry champagne, it still remains a lower-calorie option. Avoid any pre-mixes or elaborate garnishes to avoid ‘hidden’ calories from additives.
Calories per serving: 150kcal
4. Hot Toddy
Few things are nicer on a cold winter evening than a warming Hot Toddy, made by combining hot water, honey, fresh lemon juice and usually whisky. The honey adds the calories here – there’s around 64kcal per tablespoon of honey – but other than that, it remains a moderate choice.
However, be warned that if ordered from bars or Christmas markets, the calorie count can quickly soar. This is because it’s often heavily sweetened and served with garnishes like cinnamon sticks and star anise.
Calories per serving: 160kcal
5. Spicy Margarita
Unarguably the trendiest cocktail of the year, the tequila and triple sec means a Spicy Margarita’s calorie count quickly creeps up. Benjamin also notes that most bar recipes include added syrups and lime juice for enhanced flavour, many of which are highly calorific. Keep an eye out for skinny versions that use less sugar and liqueur – but be aware, it’ll still have a considerable calorie count.
Calories per serving: 170kcal
6. Mulled Wine
A Christmas classic (and one that’s impossible to avoid at markets), mulled wine sits solidly in the middle of the calorie rankings. Made by heating red wine with sugar, citrus and spices, it’s the added sweeteners that push the calorie count up.
While homemade versions can be lighter if you go easy on the sugar, market or bar-bought mulled wine is often heavily sweetened to appeal to the crowds. In other words: delicious and cosy, but not quite as lovely for your waistline.
Calories per serving: 180kcal
7. Snowball
This retro cocktail remains a popular choice for those looking for a Christmas throwback. However, as Benjamin notes, this is where we start to move towards really calorific options.
The classic British drink is made from advocaat, sparkling lemonade and a dash of lime juice. It’s known for its creamy, frothy texture reminiscent of vanilla custard – so it’s perhaps unsurprising that it’s full of sugar and fats.
Calories per serving: 194kcal
8. White Russian
A White Russian might be the ultimate festive indulgence – but it comes at a price. Made with vodka, coffee liqueur and a generous splash of cream, it’s essentially a boozy milkshake, which Benjamin says makes it one of the most calorific cocktails you can order.
The combination of dairy and sugar adds up fast, and bar-made versions often pour in even more cream for that velvety finish. In other words: delicious, yes, but an absolute disaster for your diet.
Calories per serving: 280kcal
9. Eggnog
If there’s a heavyweight champion of festive calories, it’s Eggnog. Made from cream, milk, sugar and eggs before you even add the rum or bourbon, it’s essentially a full dessert disguised as a drink.
Benjamin says this one easily tops the chart as the most calorie-heavy cocktail option of the season – rich, velvety and absolutely loaded. A classic Christmas treat, yes, but also the fastest route to wondering why your jeans feel tighter by Boxing Day.
Calories per serving: 310kcal
10. Baileys Hot Chocolate
Beloved? Absolutely. Waistline-friendly? Not even slightly. Baileys is loaded with sugar and cream, and while the higher fat content can blunt the immediate hit of alcohol, it sends the calorie count marching north.
On its own, Benjamin notes, it’s not quite as catastrophic as a White Russian or eggnog — but the danger zone is the Baileys hot chocolate. If it’s made with real chocolate, full-fat milk and (of course) a cloud of whipped cream, you’re looking at a drink that can soar towards 500 calories. A festive hug in a mug… that sticks around long after Christmas.
Calories per serving: 400kcal+
