7 Most Sugary Drinks Of Summer

Imagine being able to lose weight…just by watching what you drink?

Think about this: According to a study in the journal Obesity, liquids account for more than 20 percent (about 450 daily calories) of the American diet — and most of this involves sugar. Another study from the University of Minnesota demonstrated that added sugars are directly linked to weight gain.

But this is actually good news! A third study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that cutting liquid calories resulted in greater weight loss than cutting food calories. Translation: all you need to do is make some smart swaps, and start shedding extra pounds!

So to feel cooler, and look hotter, just follow the below tips:

7. Worst Water

Vitaminwater Multi-V (1 bottle, 20 oz)
125 calories
0 g fat
33 g sugars

As long as companies continue to sell multivitamin pills and your sink’s faucet keeps spitting out tap water, you have no excuse to ever uncap one of these faux health drinks. This bottle has more sugar than a Snickers bar, so if you must indulge, opt for something from Vitaminwater’s calorie-free Zero line.

Better Water

Glaceau Smartwater (1 bottle, 24 oz)
0 calories
0 g fat
0 g sugars

This water contains electrolytes, which can help keep you hydrated when you’re sweating out in the sun.

6. Worst Soda

Sunkist (1 can, 12 oz)
190 calories
0 g fat
50 g sugars

Soda is one of the more popular sources of liquid calories in the American diet. It doesn’t even bother with the pretense of nutrition—it’s pure sugar, plain and simple. But among the throngs of terrible sodas, Sunkist is one of the worst.

Better Soda

Izze Sparkling Clementine (1 bottle, 12 oz)
120 calories
0 g fat
27 g sugars

70 percent of this bottle is filled with real fruit juice, completely eliminating the need for added sugars. It’s still not as healthy as real fruit, but it’s a sizable upgrade from carbonated high fructose corn syrup.

5. Worst Bottled Tea

SoBe Energize Green Tea (1 bottle, 20 oz)
240 calories
0 g fat
61 g sugars

Leave it to an “edgy” American beverage company to corrupt green tea, a natural wonder of the nutritional world. SoBe’s product is merely a saccharine simulation of green tea, with “natural flavor” preceding “green tea extract” on the nutrition label. Gulp down one of these bottles and you’ve taken in the sugar equivalent of seven Popsicles.

Better Bottled Tea

Honest Tea Community Green Tea (1 bottle, 16 oz)
34 calories
0 g fat
10 g sugars

It has more than 80 percent less sugar and uses organic, fair trade green tea.

4. Worst Lemonade

Orange Julius Lemon Julius (medium, 20 oz)
360 calories
0 g fat
94 g sugars

If you were drinking straight lemon juice, you could tip back 15 cups, or 120 fluid ounces, and still not reach the sugar impact of this icy, lemon-esque beverage from Orange Julius.

Better Lemonade

Chick-fil-A Diet Lemonade (medium, 20 oz)
20 calories
0 g fat
2 g sugars

Save yourself from sugar’s flabby impact by switching to Chick-fil-A’s low-calorie lemonade, which adds sucralose while nixing the extra sugar.

3. Worst Frozen Coffee Drink

Dairy Queen Caramel MooLatte (medium, 16 oz)
660 calories
19 g fat (15 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
90 g sugars

Dairy Queen’s MooLattes shouldn’t be considered coffee. They’re essentially milkshakes with a little coffee blended in, and the caramel version has nearly as many calories as five White Castle sliders.

Better Frozen Coffee Drink

Starbucks Coffee Frappuccino with 2% Milk (Grande size, 16 oz)
230 calories
2 g fat (1 g saturated)
49 g sugars

Switch to Starbucks’ Coffee Frappuccino. It’s way sweeter, but saves you more than 400 calories. But be warned, though: While the Coffee Frappuccino is safe, some of Starbucks’ other drinks aren’t nearly so forgiving.

2. Worst Smoothie

Smoothie King The Activator Strawberry (32 oz)
834 calories
1.5 g fat (0 g saturated)
134 g sugars

Judging solely by name, you’d think this beverage was some sort of metabolism-boosting superfruit, but in reality, it’s a hyper-sweetened smoothie filled out with 550 calories of pure sugar. In Smoothie King’s defense, it also delivers nearly 30 grams of protein, but that’s not nearly enough to justify the caloric impact. Unless you’re a bodybuilder looking to maximize your caloric intake, leave this blended beverage behind the counter.

Better Smoothie

Jamba Juice Strawberry Nirvana (Power size, 30 oz)
300 calories
0.5 g fat
58 g sugars

1. Worst Milkshake

Cold Stone Creamery Oh Fudge! Shake (Like It size, 16 oz)
1,250 calories
70 g fat (45 g saturated)
127 g sugars

At Cold Stone, “Like It” is the small size. If you upgrade to “Gotta Have It,” which denotes a large, you’re facing 1,920 calories—nearly a full day’s energy in one cup. The truth is, milkshakes represent some of the most concentrated calories that will ever cross your lips, so when you find a good one, you should take notice.

Better Milkshake

Baskin-Robbins Chocolate Shake (with Premium Churned Milk Chocolate Ice Cream) (small, 16 oz)
500 calories
16 g fat (10 g saturated)
73 g sugars

Outside of what you might make in your own kitchen, the shake below from Baskin-Robbins is about as good as you’re going to find. Order it with Premium Churned Chocolate Milk Ice Cream and it floats in at just 500 calories. That’s still a lot, yes, but it’s better than the alternatives. Just save it for an occasional treat, and always offer to split with a friend.

Don’t Forget The Water!

Of course, you already know what the absolute best summer (actually, all-year-round) drink is…WATER! To help keep you cool and well-hydrated against the heat and outdoor activities, be sure to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day.

By Morgan Curley | Published June 26, 2025