We all know the dangers associated with drinking alcohol: the damage to your liver, brain, heart, and many other parts of your body are no surprise. Some drinks, however, can take an even bigger toll on your body. In addition to the obvious health hazards associated with drinking, some cocktails are high in calories, alcohol content, and carry added risks to your health that may surprise you. Check out the infographic below to see the caloric breakdown of some of your favorite – and most dangerous – cocktails.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License. The true weight of your drink may be heavier than you think when you factor in the health risks involved. These dangerous drinks have far nastier consequences than waking up with a headache and regret, and should be avoided at all costs. Watch out for these calories and cocktails:
- Pina Colada
Although one of Rupert Holmes’s favorites, this frozen concoction is anything but safe. High in calories and fat content, this popular cocktail made with coconut cream can do some serious damage to your stomach. The guar gum in coconut milk/cream is hard to digest, especially for those who already suffer from digestive problems. Let’s just say if Rupert knew the damage this 550+ calorie drink could do, he’d probably only enjoy getting caught in the rain.
- Margarita
Depending on the size you order and how strong the bartender’s pour, this dangerous cocktail can have over five ounces of burning tequila. Even more dangerous, though, is what’s mixed in. A well-done mix will easily disguise the flavor of tequila, making it hard for you to tell how much booze is really included. On top of that, the high sodium content and effect on blood sugar levels can wreak havoc on your body; just one margarita can cause your body to have trouble regulating your blood sugar. The big spike followed by a quick crash of your sugars can lead to dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness, and other bad side effects. If you needed another reason to skip the margarita special next time you’re out, know that just one can set you back nearly 500 calories.
- Long Island
Long island? More like a long night – and not in a good way. Don’t be deceived by the iced tea taste, there’s none in this cocktail. A long island has a hazardous mix of triple sec, rum, gin, vodka, tequila, sour mix and cola that can end you up in the hospital. The high liquor content, hard to taste booze, and mixing of alcohol that’s known to induce sickness gives you the three strikes you need to cross this one off your list. Save yourself the 445 calories and daring side effects – opt for a real iced tea instead.
- Hurricane
The hurricane may seem like the perfect, light and fruity drink for a relaxing vacation but it can seriously wreck your beach bod. With a whopping 350 calories, even the umbrella can’t protect you from this hurricane. It would only take one of these cocktails to ruin your day – and your healthy diet. Opt for fruit-infused water to keep you hydrated and healthy while lounging in the sun – outside the grips of this perilous hurricane.
- Vodka & Red Bull
Forget the wings, this mixed drink can cause serious side effects, both physical and psychological. And no, we’re not talking about a nasty hangover. Mixing alcohol and energy drinks is a risky move; the energy drinks mask the effect of alcohol and can make you underestimate how much you’ve had to drink. In addition to the copious amounts of sugar and calories, the high dose of caffeine can also cause anxiety and panic attacks. Not to mention the heart palpitations, sleeping problems, and feelings of agitation and tenseness. Forego this dangerous drink; choose a lower calorie and lower risk combination next time you’re out at the bar.
- Dark & Stormy
Coming in at 300 calories, this cocktail may seem innocent but it is anything but. True to its name, the Dark and Stormy can do more harm than the heaviest of storms. Three hundred calories of rum and ginger beer isn’t exactly great for your health, but it’s also pretty bad for your teeth. Alcohol alone causes erosion, but dark liquors like that in this drink can stain your teeth, too. Give yourself a reason to smile; save yourself the damage to your diet and your teeth by passing over this storm. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you shouldn’t over-consume alcohol or calories. Next time you’re heading out for a night on the town, be sure to follow these general guidelines for moderate drinking. You’ll thank yourself in the morning.
- Limit yourself to 1 drink per hour or less.
- Stretch out your drinking by alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Proactively keep a record of how many drinks you’ve had.
- Avoid pre-gaming and party games that promote excessive drinking.
