Most calorific Christmas drink revealed – and it's not Baileys

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With Christmas just around the corner, many of us may have started being a wee bit naughty with our diets already. The festive period can be one of over-indulgence in terms of both food and drink.

And while we may worry about the calories we consume when gorging ourselves on turkey, stuffing, and roast potatoes, it is easy to forget that some of our favourite festive tipples can also end up adding to the number on the scales.

We all have certain drinks that we prefer, with some people opting for a warming mulled wine during the Christmas period while others like to stick to their staples like beer.

One year-round drink that explodes in popularity during the festive period is Baileys. And while many people know that the Irish cream liqueur isn’t the lightest of drinks, it does not top the calorie charts.

Our sister title The Mirror analysed the calories of other popular drinks, sharing advice from leading diet guru Terri-Ann Nunns and expert nutritionist Ro Huntriss about navigativing alcoholic indulgences without tipping the scales too far this Christmas.

Eggnog

This festive classic might not be in its pomp any more, but it is still loved by many people at Christmas time.

But since it is made with decent portions of milk, egg, and sugar, it’s not really a surprise that it tops the charts, averaging around 350 calories per glass.

For those looking for a less hefty alternative, you may want to opt for a glass of sloe gin instead. The experts said: “Eggnog stands out as one of the most indulgent Christmas drinks, not ideal for weight management. An equally enjoyable, yet significantly lower-calorie alternative is sloe gin, whether served warm or on the rocks.”

Wine

Enjoying in a glass of wine of an evening is hardly a Christmas exclusive, but it’s still something that millions of Brits enjoy at this time of year. Although each wine is different, a glass may put 220 calories onto your daily intake.

Swapping wine for prosecco is a great option during the festive period. Not only is the fizz more of a party drink for the celebrations, a glass comes in at around 85 calories.

The experts added: “Choosing Prosecco over wine can significantly reduce your calorie intake. A glass of Prosecco provides 1.5 units of alcohol, while a large glass of wine is likely to be around three units.”

Mulled wine

There may be no more comforting festive tipple than a mulled wine. Warm, sweet, and fruity, it’s easy to see why it’s a popular option – but at an average of 210 calories, some people may be looking elsewhere. But the nutrition experts have suggested swapping sugar for sweeteners to bring the calories down.

They said: “When making mulled wine, the addition of spices and sugar contributes to its calorie content. However, you can substitute sweetener, whether artificial or natural like stevia. Alternatively, enhance the flavour with spices, lemon juice, and omit sugar or sweeteners altogether.”

Beer

Christmas socialising wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the pub. But a pint of the amber nectar could add 210 calories to your daily intake. If you switch to your favourite bottle of beer, rather than a full pint, you can cut that down to around 140.

The dieticians said: “Swapping a pint for a bottle reduces the overall volume consumed and, consequently, the calorie count, especially if planning to have more than one. The term ‘beer belly’ isn’t without reason; beer can contribute significantly to weight gain.”

Baileys

A true festive favourite, often enjoyed over ice or as a substitute to milk in a morning coffee. The creamy tipple is around 164 calories per glass, but there is a lighter alternative. The experts said: “Swap a 50ml Baileys (164 calories) for a 50ml Baileys Almande at 76 calories. Baileys Almande, made from almonds, offers a vegan, dairy-free alternative to the original and comes in at under half the calories!”

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