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Holiday drinks: Good cheer, but watch the calories
Whether it's hot buttered rum or spiced apple cider, find out how many calories are in your holiday drink favorites.
By Mayo Clinic staffYour family's seasonal celebrations may not be complete without festive holiday drinks — mulled red wine, homemade hot cocoa, chilled champagne or creamy eggnog. Because many of these drinks can add extra calories and fat, though, continue to get regular exercise, limit your indulgences and try healthier options when possible. For instance, you can find reduced-fat and sugar-free versions of many drinks, including eggnog and cocoa — and you don't need to feel like a Scrooge for doing it.
So as you serve up a bit of holiday cheer this year, keep in mind these calorie counts.
Calories in common holiday drinks
| Drink | Calories* |
|---|---|
| Wine, nonalcoholic, 5 ounces (oz.) or 148 milliliters (mL) | 9 |
| Wine spritzer, 5 oz. (148 mL) | 72 |
| Champagne punch, 4 ounces (oz.) (118 mL) | 73 |
| Champagne, 4 oz. (118 mL) | 96 |
| Spiced apple cider, 8 oz. (237 mL) | 117 |
| Wine, white, 5 oz. (148 mL) | 121 |
| Wine, red, 5 oz. (148 mL) | 125 |
| Mulled red wine, 5 oz. (148 mL) | 125 |
| Sparkling grape juice, 8 oz. (237 mL) | 152 |
| Creme de menthe liqueur, 1.5 oz. (44 mL) | 186 |
| Hot cocoa (homemade), made with whole milk, 8 oz. (237 mL) | 192 |
| Martini, 3 oz. (89 mL) | 196 |
| Hot buttered rum, 8 oz. (237 mL) | 292 |
| Eggnog, nonalcoholic, 8 oz. (237 mL) | 343 |
| Eggnog, alcoholic, 8 oz. (237 mL) | 391 |
| Irish cream liqueur, 4 oz. (118 mL) | 407 |
Sources: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, 2008; USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies, 3.0., 2009.
*Actual calories may vary by brand or recipe.
- USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 21. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search. Accessed Sept. 21, 2009.
- USDA What's in the foods you eat search tool, 3.0. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://199.133.10.140/codesearchwebapp/(fsbeqqvrgekufajohu0vtxqa)/codesearch.aspx. Accessed Sept. 21, 2009.
