You'll be glad to hear that champagne contains the same amount of calories as other dry wines, 106 calories per 5 ounces. Of course, if you drink the entire bottle.

The hard stuff

The calories in gin, rum, vodka or whiskey depends on the proof, which is twice the percentage of alcohol. For example, 90 proof vodka contains 45 percent alcohol; 100 proof contains 50 percent alcohol. And it's easy to guess which has more calories: The higher the proof, the higher the calories. Here's the damage:

• 1 1/2 ounces 80 proof contains 97 calories
  
• 1 1/2 ounces 90 proof contains 110 calories
  
• 1 1/2 ounces 100 proof contains 124 calories
  

Calorie content of other types of liquor varies greatly. If you're watching your weight, choose cordial, at only 20 calories per 1 1/2 ounces. Schnapps has 108 calories per 1 1/2 ounces, but 1 1/2 ounces of creme de menthe will set you back 186 calories.

Mixed drinks

Obviously, the larger the drink the higher the calorie content. If your favorite watering hole serves pond-sized margaritas, you can easily drink more than 400 calories (without the tortilla chips and guacamole). Choose a more petite 2-ounce Manhattan and you'll only drink 128 calories. Here are common serving sizes and calorie amounts for your favorite drinks:

• 5-ounce Blood Mary: 115 calories (and the celery adds less than 5 calories)
  
• 8-ounce eggnog: 490 calories (remember I said you wouldn't believe this)
  
• 7.5-ounce gin and tonic: 171 calories
  
• 4.5-ounce pina colada: 262 calories
  
• 3-ounce whiskey sour: 122 calories