Back in December, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that chain restaurants with 20 or more locations have until November 2015 to list the calorie counts for all alcoholic beverages on their menus. After all, research has shown that Americans are oblivious to the role alcohol is playing in this country’s obesity epidemic.

Besides “empty calories” and the obvious damage too much alcohol can have on our livers, brains, and hearts, there are some added risks when it comes to what’s inside some of your favorite alcoholic beverages. In some cases, the alcohol isn’t to blame. It’s the mixers that can do some serious damage to our bodies.

The Cocktails & Calories infographic provided by Clarity Way shows the calorie counts for the highest selling mixed drinks served at all local watering holes and a few dark & stormy facts you may not have known about specialty cocktails. (See what I did there)

Mixed drinks with Coke, Red Bull, or juices were among the cocktails with the highest calorie counts, including cranberry vodka, which averaged 231 calories, vodka and Red Bull 238 calories, and sex on the beach 265 calories. If you’re looking for a lower calorie mixed drink, mojito, gin & tonic, and apple martini all average around 170 calories each.

Specialty cocktails, such as margaritas, Long Island iced teas, and hurricanes, contain over 350 calories, but the unhealthy ingredients found in each cocktail’s mixer can spell even more trouble. For example, everyone’s favorite summer cocktail, piña colada, contains coconut milk/cream. The guar gum found in coconut milk/cream can be tough to digest, especially if you have gastrointestinal problems.

Cocktails and Calories
Calorie counts for some of your favorite cocktails. Clarity Way