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Milk based drinks

What are the side effects of drinking milk punch?

By Drinks Type Editorial TeamPublished Oct 30, 2025Updated Nov 1, 20261 min read
Quick answer

Milk punch combines milk, spirit and usually sugar, so its side effects are those of alcohol and extra calories. A cup of whole milk (149 kcal, USDA) plus a 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof spirit (97 kcal) is about 246 kcal and 1.8 UK units, before any sugar or cream. The WHO says no level of alcohol is free of health risk.

Calories, 1 cup whole milk + 1.5 oz 80-proof (USDA)about 246
Units, 44 ml at 40%about 1.8
NHS weekly limit14 units
Added sugarNot included

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In this article
  1. What is in it
  2. Alcohol
  3. Does milk protect you?
  4. Dairy
  5. Quick summary

Milk punch is a drink of milk or cream with spirit and sugar, traditionally served cold or warm. Recipes vary, so the numbers below are for a simple version.

What is in it

A cup (244 g) of whole milk has about 149 kcal (USDA). A 1.5 fl oz shot of 80-proof spirit has about 97 kcal and no sugar. Together that is about 246 kcal, before any sugar, syrup or cream.

Alcohol

A 44 ml shot at 40% is about 1.8 UK units (ml x ABV / 1000). The NHS advises no more than 14 units a week. The WHO states that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health.

Does milk protect you?

We found no official source that milk in a drink reduces the effects of alcohol, so we do not claim it.

Dairy

People who are lactose intolerant may get symptoms such as bloating and diarrhoea (NHS). Use pasteurised milk; the CDC says raw milk can carry serious germs.

Quick summary

  • Alcohol risks plus extra calories.
  • About 246 kcal and 1.8 units for milk plus one shot (USDA).

General information, not medical advice. The WHO says no level of alcohol is free of health risk. This page is not an invitation to drink, and it is not a guide to whether you can drive.

People also ask

Is milk punch bad for you?

It contains alcohol, and the WHO says no level of alcohol is free of risk. Sugar and cream add calories.

How many calories are in milk punch?

A cup of whole milk and a 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof spirit is about 246 kcal (USDA), before sugar, syrup or cream.

Does milk protect the stomach from alcohol?

We found no official source that it does. Alcohol affects you the same way.

General information only, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or are pregnant, ask your doctor before changing what you drink.

Sources

  1. USDA FoodData Central: Milk, whole, 3.25% milkfat, with added vitamin D (171265)
  2. USDA FoodData Central: Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 80 proof (174815)
  3. WHO: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (4 January 2023)
  4. NHS: Calculating alcohol units (14 units a week)
  5. NHS: Lactose intolerance
  6. CDC: Raw milk
Written by Drinks Type Editorial Team · Published Oct 30, 2025 · Updated Nov 1, 2026
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