Mixed Cocktails

Mixed cocktails like daiquiris and piña coladas contain 30–35 grams of pure sugar per standard serving of alcohol. Even the driest hard ciders contain approximately 15 grams of sugar per 12 oz serving. Liqueurs are distilled spirits with added sugar, fruit essences, and flavorings, containing 10–17 grams of sugar per ounce. Approximately half the sugar in mixed cocktails is fructose, which directly congests the liver. Cleaner zero-sugar mixers are recommended over standard soda or commercial cocktail mixes for mixed drinks. Commercial mixed drinks are strongly cautioned against because their mixers can contain many unknown ingredients. Sweet alcoholic ingredients such as liqueurs and flavored spirits may contain large amounts of added man-made sugar. Hard lemonades contain 25–30 grams of sugar per bottle, and their combination with alcohol encourages rapid multiple consumption. Standard commercial versions of sugary mixed drinks should be avoided.