When dieting, it is easy to forget that happy hour can pack a big punch on your daily calorie count. You may not realize it, but that yummy alcoholic beverage you enjoy after your light salad could be one of the absolute worst drinks for fat loss! Do not take the risk of destroying your diet, and read on to see if your favorite drink makes the list.
Long Island Iced Tea
This drink is not only full of liquor, but calories as well. It is a popular choice among bar hoppers because of the high alcohol content, yet smooth flavor. A long island boasts vodka, gin, white rum and white tequila; cola plus triple sec are the only things keeping this little doozy from being all alcohol. This may be a great choice when wanting to keep the party going, but not for keeping those extra pounds off! A regular unsweetened tea with a shot of vodka would make a much better choice for the health-conscious dieter.
- 276 calories
- 20 carbohydrates
- 40% alcohol by volume
Margarita
There are many variations of this trendy summertime beverage, but a plain margarita is among the worst drinks for fat loss. Although it may not seem so, the simple syrup that is added in with tequila and lime juice will send your sugar levels soaring. Add in a sugared rim and you have a recipe for a muffin top! A lemonade chaser after a shot of tequila may just curb those citrus cravings as well as keep that diet in check.
- 371 calories
- 17 carbohydrates
- 40% alcohol by volume
Pina Colada
Though you may think this sweet treat can’t be beat, a pina colada can do some serious damage to your weight loss plan. White rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice make a delectable dessert, but you won’t be singing it’s praises when you gained two pounds in a night after downing a few of these bad boys! Although you may see these constantly at the beach, that bikini will not be fitting so great if you make drinking them a habit. Cut out the coconut, mix a dash of pineapple into a glass of orange juice, add a shot of rum and have yourself a custom screwdriver that is lighter on calories, but not on taste.
- 245 calories
- 32 carbohydrates
- 5% alcohol by volume
Mudslide
With all of the cream featured in this beverage, there is no surprise why it is one of the highest calorie alcoholic drinks on this list. Vodka, Kahlúa, Irish cream, and cream are mixed to create this whirlwind of sugars, calories, and carbs. Though we admit it is a delicious way to end your day, the regret the next morning simply is not worth it. If you are craving some cream, why not pour a shot of Kahlúa over a small bowl of low fat vanilla ice cream and call it a night?
- 556 calories
- 283 carbohydrates
- 12% alcohol by volume
Dessert Wine
The Italians have taught us that a glass of wine a day can be wonderful for the heart, as well as the aging process. Unfortunately, that does not apply to those sweet but deadly dessert wines that many women love. Although they are not the highest calorie alcoholic drinks on our list, they certainly are not diet friendly. Opt for a glass of red wine instead, and keep that heart healthy!
- 165 calories
- 14 carbohydrates
- 15% alcohol by volume
Imperial IPA
Unfortunately for all you beer drinkers out there, IPAs may be popular, but not diet friendly. One of the highest calorie beers out there, the calories rival some of our previous mixed drinks! Irish stouts are a good option for cutting out calories, but do not compromise on flavor.
- 295 calories
- 25 carbohydrates
- 8.5% alcohol by volume
White Russian
Another drink heavy on the cream and calories, a white Russian packs a mean punch, and not just to your liver. Similar to a mudslide, coffer liquor, vodka and cream are the simple ingredients that make up this dieter’s nightmare, although they are extremely popular at casinos. Plain coffee with a shot of Kahlúa is a much smarter way to enjoy happy hour.
- 257 calories
- 17 carbohydrates
- 12% alcohol by volume
Now that you have an idea of what devastating drinks and highest calorie beers to look out for, enjoy your next happy hour without abandon!
Photo by Phil Denton 