This is it. You’re starting to feel the consequences of all those summer meals with (too much) water. The problem is, aperitifs with friends aren’t going to stop at the start of the new school year. With all the after-work and weekend outings, you’re not going to be spared… Don’t panic, we’ve put together a list of the most calorific alcoholics to avoid in order to limit the damage!

The highest-calorie spirits

• Pastis. King of pétanque and sunshine, he’s also the king of sugar. At 274 calories per 100 ml, it tops the list of the highest-calorie spirits.

• Gin. Appreciated by connoisseurs of fine spirits, gin can be used to prepare highly distinguished cocktails. Beware, however, of its high sweetness: 265 calories per 100 ml on average.

• Rum. Straw hats and mojitos on the beach – a must! However, you’ll have to make do with its 242 calories per 100 ml if you’re on a diet…

• Vodka. This alcohol concerns more than 90% of your credit card receipts marked “Mètre de shots”, which you discover the next morning. Worst of all, at 239 calories per 100 ml, it doesn’t just hurt your wallet.

• Whisky. Ever heard of sky coke? This blend is certainly the most popular and the favorite of young people in the evening. If it has the knack of making (almost) everyone agree, the sky coke must surely be the sweetest cocktail, in that it mixes Coke and whisky which clocks in at 238 calories per 100 ml.

Well, that’s convenient, wine isn’t on this list! Although it has fewer calories, wine is consumed in much larger quantities than spirits, so be careful. What’s more, not all wines contain the same number of calories.

Low-calorie wines

• Champagne. At just 80 calories per 100 ml, champagne (and sparkling wine) is the lowest-calorie wine. There’s plenty of food to go around at weddings and receptions!

• Dry white wine. Fruity and light, dry white wine goes perfectly with white meats or seafood. 86 calories per 100 ml, perfect for dieting.

• Rosé wine. Sunny weekend by the pool, the rosé is ice-cold and flowing. Enjoy – in moderation, of course – its 86 calories per 100ml, but watch out for the accompanying aperitif cookies!

• Red wine. A master on red meat-based main courses, it’s hard to avoid at barbecues. But beware: 89 calories per 100 ml, and it’s often hard to stop drinking it!

• Sweet white wine. For Monbazillac or Sauternes, count 100 calories per 100 ml and a nice cheese platter to finish the meal.

• Natural sweet wine. Wines like Banyuls or Muscat are very sweet, reaching 150 calories per 100 ml. Drink in moderation if you’re on a diet, and I’d go so far as to say that you’ll need to add a little daily exercise to compensate for tasting this wine!

Photo by Pier Demarten / Unsplash