Canned cocktails They have a lot going for them. They are the latest in convenienceallowing anyone without a degree in mixology to enjoy a professionally prepared beverage in a ready-to-drink portion. And the cans are shelf stable and ready anytime you’ve had a rough day. But the dirty little secret of the canned cocktail industry is that the calorie counts and sugar content can be astronomical. Also, many of these companies do not make the nutritional information on their products easy to find.
These are the unhealthiest canned cocktails to leave on grocery store shelves, plus what to pick up instead. And if you’re going to choose a burger to go with your drink, skip these 8 Worst Fast Food Burgers To Stay Away From Right Now.
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 204 calories, 17g carbs
Both flavored canned cocktails absolute They sound delicious and simple, however they come with a larger than necessary calorie count at 204 calories and about 17 grams of sugar. However, Absolut Berry Vodkarita is full of berry flavor and much lighter at 100 calories per can.
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Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 233 calories, 0 g fat, 26 g carbs, 0 g protein
At 70 calories per ounce, whiskey is not a low-calorie beverage…and when combined with cola, it becomes a dietary disaster. Mixing Crown Royal whiskey with diet cola would be a better bet.
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 241 calories, 25.8g carbs
This blood orange, lemon and ginger punch from Bacardi It may be delicious, but it packs a sweet punch of 241 calories and nearly 26 grams of pure sugar. The Barcadi Lime and Soda is a better bet at 163 calories (though that’s still a lot for a simple cocktail).
RELATED: The 19 Best Healthy Canned Cocktails, Beers, and Sodas You Can Buy Online
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 245 calories, 31g carbs
This simple citrus cocktail sounds innocuous, right? Somehow Bacardi manages to pack 245 calories and 31 grams of sugar into this 12-ounce can. Skip this one.
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 240 calories, 27g carbs
The benefit of a sparkling cocktail will always be the addition of sparkling water which reduces sweetness and calories. This version of a Moscow mule doesn’t seem to do that with 240 calories and 27 grams of sugar. While the flavors of ginger, apricot, and lime are alluring, you can do better than this overly sweet cocktail. Case in point: opt for Joia’s sparkling margarita at a respectable 140 calories per can.
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 255 calories, 0 g fat, 14 g carbs (9 g sugar), 6 g protein
the Cutwater brunch version of this cocktail has 255 calories. While this is a lot for a cocktail, the real problem with Bloody Marys is sodium, which is conveniently not listed. According to a site, this cocktail has 700 milligrams of sodium. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per dayso having just one of these cocktails will take you more than a third of the way.
RELATED: The surprising effect lowering sodium can have on blood sugar, new study finds
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 257 calories, 0 g fat, 26 g carbs (25.6 g sugar), 0 g protein
the Bahama Mom cocktail does not meet the sweet flavors it offers. At 5.9% ABV, you get a relatively weak drink with lots of sugar and 257 calories.
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 273 calories, 0 g fat, 37 g carbs (37 g sugar), 0 g protein
The pineapple, orange, and mango flavors of white rum somehow combine into 273 calories for this flashy orange canned drink. Like the Bahama Mama, at 5% ABV, what you really get in this cocktail is a heavy dose of sugar.
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 295 calories, 25.8g carbs
The BuzzBallz line of canned cocktails is intended, as the name implies, to get you drunk. Each cocktail boasts 15% ABV, so watch out for these. the chocolate tease cocktail contains 295 calories—to the maximum all its flavors—however, Lotta Colada (289 calories) and Horchata (267 calories) are close behind. Forbidden Apple (211 calories) and Peach Ballz (214 calories) are lighter, but just barely.
RELATED: 10 popular beers made with chocolate
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 350 calories, 0 g fat, 24 g carbs (24 g sugar), 0 g protein
If you want to be transported to the tropics, a Mai Tai is the way to go. But this offering of Cutwater not the healthiest way to go with 350 calories and 24 grams of sugar. The brand’s Tiki Rum Punch isn’t light, but at 190 calories, it will put less weight on your stomach.
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 360 calories, 0 g fat, 27 g carbs (27 g sugar), 0 g protein
While you know that Pina Coladas and White Russians aren’t healthy drinks, margaritas seem a bit more innocuous with their spicy, fruity flavors. However, these sweet drinks can contain a large number of calories, and although the cutwater version it’s delicious and potent at 12.5% ABV, it’s no different. At 360 calories per can, all those fruity flavors are just pure sugar.
In case you’re wondering, Cutwater’s other fruit-flavored margaritas aren’t much better: Mango Margarita (350 calories), Peach Margarita (295 calories), and Strawbery Margarita (290 calories) all taste sweet. That said, the Lime Tequila Soda has a decent 130 calories.
RELATED: 10 secrets Chili’s doesn’t want you to know
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 540 calories, 14 g fat, 38 g carbs (32 g sugar), 3 g protein
As endearing as The Dude makes White Russians look in the big lebowski, a shot of vodka, Kahlua, and heavy cream isn’t doing your health any favors. It is not surprising that the canned cocktail version tips the scales at 540 calories. To put that into perspective, that’s more calories than 10 Chicken McNuggets or a large batch of McDonald’s fries. There are plenty of vodka-based cocktails that won’t ruin your diet. All of Cutwater’s vodka soda offerings are a bit lower.
Per 1 can (12 fl-oz): 545 calories, 8.5 g fat, 70 g carbs (32 g sugar), 1 g protein
Deep down, we all know that pina coladas are not the healthiest drink. After all, sweetened pineapple juice combined with fatty coconut and caloric rum creates the ultimate indulgent cocktail. This delicious drink tastes like a tropical beach, but even one of these candy exhaust cans it will cost you as many calories as a Big Mac and as much sugar as three Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts. If you’re craving a rum cocktail, try the Cutwater Rum Mint Mojito at a manageable 170 calories per can.
Also, don’t miss 10 Worst Beers to Always Leave on Grocery Store Shelves.
