Summer Drinks Can Cool, Pack Calories

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- With summertime comes taking in the sun and enjoying a cold beverage. But many people don't know how many calories they're actually taking in with each sip, Hartford television station WFSB reported.

Mike Jaison is a busy bartender at Harbor Park along the Connecticut River, where the drinks are flowing.

"There aren't many places like this, so it's kind of a big deal to come out, kick back and drink a few Coronas," Jaison said.

The bar offers beer, wine and cocktails -- the latter of which seems to be the drink of choice. But the alcoholic drinks pack a lot more than just a good time, the station reported.

Michelle Daigle ordered an apple martini.

"It's refreshing, and it's just something I like to drink in the summer," Daigle said.

When asked if she was aware she's drinking more than 400 calories, Daigle said she wasn't.

"Usually, in the summertime, you're trying to lose weight, and you don't even think about that," she said.

The numbers can come as a shock to people who think a few sips could hardly affect their waistlines, the station reported.

For example, a shot of vodka amounts to about 100 calories, which equals one can of light beer. But when you start adding in all the sugary drinks and the sodas, the calories start adding up fast.

"When you drink all these drinks, the body can't process the sugar, so it gets converted into fat," Jaison said.

A margarita has 453 calories, a martini has 413 calories and mixed drinks -- such as pina coladas, rum-and-Cokes and vodka cranberries -- have nearly 300 calories each.

"You work hard all winter to fit into your bathing suit, and then you come into a bar like this and you fill up on your pina coladas and Coronas," Jaison said.

Jaison said that despite a drink's calorie count, most people order them anyway. A consensus of the people the station spoke with seemed to indicate that no one really cared about a drink's calories, so long as they're enjoying it and having a good time.