Dental nurses welcome warning over sugar content of 'cocktails in a can' and spirits
Published: 21/01/2020
Dental nurses have welcomed a move by campaigners to raise awareness of sugar in 'ready to drink' alcohol beverages.
Popular pre-mixed spirits sold in major UK retailers are unnecessarily high in hidden sugar and calories and should be forced to reformulate immediately to the agreed criterion set by government in the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) or pay the fine.
That's according to a new (and first of its kind) product survey by Action on Sugar at Queen Mary University of London to mark Sugar Awareness Week (20-26 January).
The group of experts warn that sugary alcoholic drinks are contributing to obesity, type 2 diabetes, various cancers, liver damage and tooth decay as consumers are unknowingly drinking large amounts of sugar and calories.
Nine out of 10 pre-mixed spirits don’t have on-pack sugar information, so consumers are unaware of the very large amounts they are drinking.
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy was successful in reducing sugar in drinks like lemonade yet a vodka and lemonade is exempt, which, campaigners say, is absurd.
Action on Sugar is now urging the government to prove it really is committed to prevention and reducing inequalities, by stepping in and taking control of not only the food and drink industries but also the alcohol industry.
Fiona Ellwood, patron the Society of British Dental Nurses, welcomed the move.
She said: 'This is a timely and meaningful reminder of the sugar content not only in foods but also in drinks.
'Many of these present themselves in different guises and in the profession we know them as hidden sugars. The Society have been supporting a sugar-free January with 10 dental nurses committing to giving up sugar, and we will be sharing their successes and their challenges.
'This 'quit sugar' for January challenge has really opened the eyes of the dental nurses involved when travelling and eating out. We welcome anything that continues to highlight the amount of sugar in food and drinks.'
Dr Saul Konviser from the Dental Wellness Trust charity said: 'It’s truly shocking that these popular "ready to drink" pre-mixed spirits are packed with excessive sugar and hidden calories and it’s no wonder the UK has a tooth decay crisis on its hands.
'Good oral health is a basic human right yet for some reason, drink manufacturers are being allowed to peddle these unhealthy drinks with limited nutritional information on pack. It’s ludicrous that drinks such as lemonade are subject to the sugar tax yet a vodka and lemonade is exempt. Now is the time for tough government led action to protect this human right.'
According to the report, TGI Friday’s Passion Fruit Martini has over 12 teaspoons of sugar (49.1g) – the same as drinking nearly two cans of Red Bull!
WKD Blue .If you were to drink a large 700ml bottle it would provide a staggering 59g sugar – the same as eating over 4 iced doughnuts in one sitting!
The sweetest gin and mixer was Classic Combinations Pink Gin and Tonic, containing a 27g of sugar in a 250ml can – the same sugar content as Coke.
Traditional premixed cocktails
Table 1 showing the 3 highest and 3 lowest in sugar beverages per pack
Product Name | Pack | ABV (%) | Calories per pack (kcal) | Sugars per | Teaspoons of sugar per pack |
TGI Fridays Passion Fruit Martini** | 500 | 10.0 | 325 | 49.1 | 12 |
TGI Fridays Pink Punk Mojito** | 500 | 10.0 | 330 | 46.7 | 12 |
Tesco Strawberry Daiquiri Alcoholic Frozen Sorbet*** | 250 | 4.0 | 228 | 36 | 9 |
Funkin Nitro Cocktails Passion Fruit Martini** | 200 | 5.0 | N/A | 16.7 | 4 |
All Shook Up Espresso Martini** | 250 | 4.5 | N/A | 16.5 | 4 |
House Of Cocktails Strawberry Daiquiri** | 250 | 4.0 | N/A | 12.6 | 3 |
N/A= information not available
Many drinks in this category were exceedingly high in sugar. Notwithstanding its larger pack size (500ml), TGI Friday’s Passion Fruit Martini has over 12 teaspoons of sugar (49.1g) – the same as drinking nearly two cans of Red Bull![i]
Fruit Based/'Soft' Mixed Drink
The worst offender in this category was WKD Blue. If you were to drink a large 700ml bottle it would provide a staggering 59g sugar – the same as eating over 4 iced doughnuts in one sitting![ii]
Table 2 showing the 3 highest and 3 lowest in sugar beverages per pack
Product Name | Pack | ABV (%) | Calories per pack (kcal) | Sugars | Teaspoons of sugar per pack |
WKD Blue** | 700 | 4.0 | N/A | 59 | 15 |
VK Blue** | 700 | 4.0 | N/A | 52.4 | 13 |
Hooch Alcoholic Lemon Brew** | 500 | 4.0 | N/A | 28.9 | 7 |
Kopparberg Light With Passionfruit* | 250 | 4.0 | 83 | 6.2 | 2 |
Balans Mandarin Aqua Spritz* | 250 | 4.0 | 60 | 1.5 | 0 |
Balans Lime Aqua Spritz* | 250 | 4.0 | 58 | 0.5 | 0 |
N/A= information not available
Yet again the sugar content in similar drinks varies considerably – proving reformulation can be achieved. For example, a 250ml can of Breezer Lemon and Elderflower Flavoured Alcoholic Drink has over five teaspoons of sugar (20.8g), compared to Balans Lime Aqua Spritz at 0.5g sugar per 250ml can.
Spirit/liqueur and Mixer (excluding gin)
Table 3 showing the 3 highest and 3 lowest in sugar beverages per pack
Product Name | Pack | ABV (%) | Calories per pack (kcal) | Sugars | Teaspoons of sugar per pack |
Archers Schnapps & Lemonade*** | 250 | 5.4 | 215 | 33 | 8 |
Malibu Cola** | 250 | 5.0 | N/A | 32.3 | 8 |
Goslings Dark 'N Stormy Black Seal Rum and Ginger Beer* | 250 | 4.5 | 198 | 31.3 | 8 |
ASDA Vodka, Lime & Lemonade** | 250 | 4.0 | N/A | 12 | 3 |
Tesco Triple Distilled Vodka With Lime and Lemonade** | 250 | 5.0 | 73 | 0 | 0 |
Jack Daniels & no sugar Cola ** | 330 | 5.0 | N/A | 0 | 0 |
N/A= information not available
The worst offenders in this category have in excess of 30g sugar (8 teaspoons) in a serving – more sugar than nine custard cream biscuits![iii]
Interestingly Jack Daniel’s Whiskey and Cola has a larger sized can (i.e. 330ml) than Malibu Cola (250ml), yet is still lower in sugar, due to the higher sugar content of sweetened liqueurs.
The findings also clearly demonstrate that lower sugar products can be produced easily. For example, Asda Vodka, Lime & Lemonade has 12g sugar (3tsp) in a 250ml can, whilst Classic Combinations Vodka Lime and Lemonade has over a teaspoon of sugar extra at 16.2g sugar per 250ml can.
Gin & Mixers
Table 4 showing the 3 highest and 3 lowest in sugar beverages per pack
Product Name | Pack | ABV (%) | Calories per pack (kcal) | Sugars per | Teaspoons of sugar per pack |
Classic Combinations Pink Gin and Tonic* | 250 | 4.0 | 178 | 27 | 7 |
Classic Combinations Rhubarb Gin and Ginger Ale* | 250 | 4.0 | 155 | 20.8 | 5 |
Tanqueray Sevilla Gin and Tonic* | 275 | 6.5 | 190 | 18 | 5 |
Sipsmith London Dry Gin and Light Tonic* | 250 | 7.3 | 118 | 3.3 | 1 |
Classic Combination Gin and Diet Tonic* | 250 | 4.0 | 73 | 0 | 0 |
Alfie Gin & Diet Tonic* | 250 | 4.0 | 60 | 0 | 0 |
The sweetest gin and mixer was Classic Combinations Pink Gin and Tonic, containing a 27g of sugar in a 250ml can – the same sugar content as Coke[iv]. This is followed by Classic Combinations Rhubarb Gin and Ginger Ale with over five teaspoons of sugar (20.8g) in a 250ml can.
In comparison, Tanqueray Sevilla Gin and Tonic has a third less sugar at 18g, proving once again that it is possible to make this type of drink with much less sugar. A gin and tonic with diet/light/or low sugar mixers were all 0g sugar per serve, except for Sipsmith London Dry Gin and Light Tonic (3.3g sugar per serve).
[i] One can of Red Bull contains 27.5g of sugar: https://groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/product/Red-Bull-Energy-Drink/212476011?from=search¶m=redbull
[ii] Sainsbury’s Raspberry Ripple ring doughnut contains 13.3g sugar per doughnut: https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/sainsburys-raspberry-ripple-stripe-doughnut-x4
[iii] A custard cream biscuit has 3.3g of sugar per biscuit: https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/biscuit-barrel/sainsburys-custard-creams-200g
[iv] A 330ml can of Coca Cola contains 35g/330ml and 10.6g/100ml of sugar. https://www.coca-cola.co.uk/drinks/coca-cola/coca-cola
Colour coding in tables is based on front of pack colour-coded nutrition labelling criteria (Sugars - Red >13.5g/portion or >11.25g/100ml, Amber >2.5≤11.25/100ml, Green ≤2.25g/100ml)
* Data obtained from ‘on pack’ information
** Data obtained by independent analysis
*** Data obtained from manufacturer’s websites
Author: Julie Bissett
