The holiday season is not just about delicious food and , but also about traditional festive drinks. However, nutrition experts warn that many holiday beverages contain far more calories and than one might initially think.
Some popular holiday cocktails can rival in terms of calorie content, raising concerns about potential weight gain and dental health issues during the festive period. Mulled wine, sweet wines, and even elegant can hide an unexpected amount of calories and sugar.
Medical professionals recommend that adults consume no more than 14 units of alcohol per week—roughly six medium glasses of wine or six pints of beer. However, experts caution that holiday habits can easily lead to exceeding this limit.
To help consumers make informed choices, leading British dietitians and nutritionists have assessed the calorie and sugar content of popular holiday drinks.
The Most Caloric Holiday Drinks: What to Watch Out For
Mulled Wine: Delicious but Dangerous for Your Figure
Few drinks are as synonymous with Christmas as mulled wine. However, nutrition experts warn that it is one of the most caloric holiday beverages. Mulled wine is typically made by heating red wine with sugar, citrus fruits, and spices. While red wine contains polyphenols—compounds linked to potential heart and gut benefits—experts note that these benefits are often overshadowed by the amount of sugar added during preparation.
Sharan Verma, a nutritionist specializing in liver health, pointed out that added sugars, in addition to those naturally present in wine, can significantly increase both calorie and sugar intake. Mulled wine is also often served in large portions, further boosting its calorie count.
Alexa Mullan, a functional dietitian, advised that those who choose to drink mulled wine can mitigate its harmful effects by making the drink at home, limiting the amount of added sugar, and increasing the quantity of spices like cinnamon, which is associated with regulating .
Wine: A Classic with Its Pitfalls
A glass of wine at the right moment can work wonders for the soul. According to an increasing number of experts, including and founder of ZOE, Tim Spector, this drink may even help protect the body from serious diseases.
The main “magical” ingredient in wine is a chemical compound called resveratrol, with the highest concentrations found in red wine. This is because resveratrol is present in the skin of , which, unlike the production process of white wine, remains in contact with the mixture in bottles of red.
Research from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota shows that resveratrol may help prevent damage to blood vessels, lower levels of “bad” cholesterol, and prevent blood clots.
However, not all wines are equally beneficial. Red wine contains slightly less sugar, making it a better option during if you’re counting calories or have , experts say. On average, a glass of red wine contains about 1.2 grams of sugar, while white wine has about 1.4 grams. However, sweet varieties can be very high in sugar, containing over 20 grams per serving.
Since wine contains natural sugars from grapes, calories can quickly add up with generous servings, Ms. Verma adds. Any serving over 125 ml is considered a generous glass of wine.
Champagne: Elite but Not Always a Safe Choice
Champagne, especially brut varieties, contains less sugar compared to many festive drinks and has a lower calorie count (though it can be easy to drink quickly and “overdo it”). Brut or extra brut varieties contain up to 12 grams of sugar per liter, compared to the “sec” variety, which contains up to 32 grams.
It is also often served in small glasses, which naturally helps with moderation, experts say. “You can easily enjoy a glass of champagne,” adds Dr. Federica Amati, chief nutritionist at ZOE. “It’s too expensive for most people to overindulge, contains no fat, has no added sugar, and has a lower alcohol percentage.”
However, dentists often urge people to consume Prosecco mindfully due to concerns about . Dr. Sahil Patel, founder of the Marylebone Smile Clinic, states: “Among dentists, it is well-known that damage from cavities in the front teeth increases during the holiday season. Prosecco poses a unique problem because it is relatively sweet, affordable, high in sugar, acidic, and carbonated: the constant contact of sugar with the oral cavity creates a situation where cavities can affect the front teeth, potentially leading to a dentist visit in the new year.
The Best Holiday Drink Options for Your Health
Clear Spirits: A Smart Choice for the Holidays
Clear spirits like gin, vodka, and tequila are the best options for holiday parties, experts say. This is because, when mixed, they contain no added sugar or fat, making them the least caloric option.
The primary impact on the liver comes from the alcohol itself, not from added ingredients. “A 25 ml serving of pure spirit mixed with soda (or, for example, a light tonic) contains little to no added sugar and relatively few calories compared to most holiday drinks,” experts add.
“The main health concern remains the alcohol itself, and any benefits are quickly lost if several servings are consumed.”
So if you want to enjoy holiday drinks while caring for your health, choose clear spirits or brut champagne in small amounts. Avoid sweet cocktails and mulled wine with high added sugar. Remember the limit of 14 units of alcohol per week and that moderation is key to a healthy lifestyle, even during the holidays.
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