How many units and calories are in cream liqueur?

 
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Stronger than you think… Cream liqueur might have a sweet taste, but it still contains more alcohol than most types of wine.

To figure out just how many units are in your measure of cream liqueur, you first need to know the Alcohol By Volume (ABV), this will be printed on the bottles’ label and how many mls you’re pouring.

You can work out how many units there are in any amount of cream liqueur by using the below formula:
ABV x ml ÷ 1000 = units

For example, to work out the number of units in a 50ml serve of 17% ABV cream liqueur:
17 x 50ml ÷ 1000 = 0.85 units

Cream liqueur unit guide

  • 1x Small Glass (50ml) of 17% cream liqueur = 0.85 units

  • 1x 500ml bottle of 17% cream liqueur = 8.5 units

  • 1x 700ml bottle of 17% cream liqueur = 11.9 units

  • 1x 1000ml bottle of 17% cream liqueur = 17.0 units

The recommended weekly alcohol limit in the UK for men and women is 14 units, which is the same as drinking 16 small measures (50ml) of 17% cream liqueur such as Baileys or Amarula. There are also a high amount of calories in these types of drinks, so watch out for how those are stacking up too - just 50ml of Baileys contains 164 calories, more than a Milky Bar, which sits at a ‘slim’ 96 calories.

Find out more about units in other spirits.

The clue is in the name… Cream liqueur is high in fat and sugar, one 50ml serve is the same as eating a Cadbury Creme Egg!

A man needs around 2,500 calories a day to maintain his weight. For a woman, that figure is around 2,000 calories. These values can vary depending on age, metabolism and levels of physical activity, among other things.

  • With around seven calories per gram, alcohol contains almost the same calories as pure fat - so drinking too many cream liquors can lead to weight gain and start to affect how you look and feel.

  • When you drink, the alcohol is burned before your body uses anything else. This includes carbohydrates and lipids, which end up, unfortunately for us, as fat.

  • You may find that your urge to snack is higher when you drink. Not only that, but you’re more likely to reach for some crisps over carrot sticks…

How can I reduce the amount of cream liqueur that I’m drinking?

  • Treat it as a treat
    Save this sweet drink for after dinner.

  • Keep a diary
    By reflecting on how things like hangovers affect your day-to-day, it will help you remember why you want to cut back. You can do this via our free DrinkCoach app.

  • Make a plan
    Before you start drinking, have a think about certain situations that could lead to you drinking more than you wanted. A good way to do this is by thinking “If x happens, then I will do x”. You can make an ‘if / then’ plan via our Drink Test.

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A little goes a long way… Understanding the low risk drinking guidelines in relation to cream liqueur

If you only drank cream liqueur all week, 16 x 50ml servings would take you up to the alcohol limit of 14 units. This amount of Bailey’s would also mean you’d consumed 2624 extra calories, which is more than the calorie limit for a man for an entire day.

Low risk drinking guidelines advise that both men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week. BUT don’t ‘save up’ your 14 units, it’s best that they are spread out over the week so you don’t binge. If you regularly drink over these guidelines, you are increasing your chances of developing long-term health conditions.