Redd’s Wicked Apple is a flavored malt beverage made by the MillerCoors company. It contains apple flavoring and a sweet, fruity taste. However, many people wonder exactly how much sugar is contained in Redd’s Wicked Apple. With rising concerns over excessive sugar intake and obesity, the sugar content of beverages is an important consideration for consumers. This article will explore the sugar content of Redd’s Wicked Apple and how it compares to other flavored malt beverages and alcoholic drinks.
Nutrition Facts for Redd’s Wicked Apple
According to the nutrition facts label on Redd’s Wicked Apple bottles and cans, a 12-ounce serving contains 31 grams of sugar. This amounts to approximately 8 teaspoons of added sugar. The majority of this sugar content comes from added sugar sources during the brewing process. Malt beverages like Redd’s Wicked contain some residual sugars left over from the malt grains used to make them. However, most of the sweet taste comes from additional sugar additions. For example, Redd’s likely adds high fructose corn syrup or sucrose to enhance the apple flavor.
Calories in Redd’s Wicked Apple
Each 12-ounce serving of Redd’s Wicked Apple contains 228 calories, with the majority of those calories coming from carbohydrates in the form of sugars. The 31 grams of sugar account for about 120 of those calories, or over half of the total calorie content. The alcohol content provides additional calories, as alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. With 5% alcohol by volume, Redd’s Wicked Apple provides about 85 calories just from the alcohol alone.
Other Ingredients in Redd’s Wicked Apple
In addition to sugar and alcohol, Redd’s Wicked Apple contains carbonated water, apple juice concentrate, citric acid, natural flavors, and caramel color. It does not contain any fat, protein, fiber, vitamins, or minerals. So there is minimal nutritional value beyond the carbohydrates.
Sugar Content Compared to Other Flavored Malt Beverages
How does the sugar content of Redd’s Wicked Apple compare to other flavored malt beverages on the market? Here is a look at the sugar content per 12-ounce serving of some popular flavored malt beverages:
| Beverage | Sugar Content |
| Redd’s Wicked Apple | 31 grams |
| Mike’s Hard Lemonade | 32 grams |
| Smirnoff Ice | 25 grams |
| Bud Light Lime | 16 grams |
| Twisted Tea | 27 grams |
As you can see, Redd’s Wicked Apple is on the higher end for sugar content compared to other flavored malt beverages. Mike’s Hard Lemonade contains a comparable amount of sugar. Smirnoff Ice has moderately less, while Bud Light Lime has about half the sugar content. So Redd’s Wicked Apple is one of the sweeter options in this category of drinks. The sugar content is needed to create the fruity, apple taste that Redd’s is known for.
Lower Sugar Options
For consumers concerned about limiting sugar intake, there are some flavored malt beverages with lower amounts of sugar:
– Bud Light Orange (7 grams of sugar)
– Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus (2 grams of sugar)
– Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer (0 grams of sugar)
So if you want a flavored malt beverage with minimal sugar, those are some options to consider. The trade-off is that they will not provide the same intense sweetness as Redd’s Wicked Apple and other high-sugar options.
Sugar Content Compared to Other Alcoholic Beverages
Beyond flavored malt beverages, how does the sugar content of Redd’s Wicked Apple compare to other alcoholic drinks? Here is a look at the sugar content per 12-ounce serving of some popular alcoholic beverage types:
| Beverage | Sugar Content |
| Redd’s Wicked Apple | 31 grams |
| Cider (Angry Orchard) | 36 grams |
| Light Beer (Bud Light) | 6 grams |
| Craft Beer (Sierra Nevada Pale Ale) | 14 grams |
| Wine – Red (Cabernet Sauvignon) | 4 grams |
| Wine – White (Chardonnay) | 3 grams |
| Vodka Soda | 0 grams |
| Old Fashioned | 10 grams |
Compared to other alcoholic beverages, Redd’s Wicked Apple once again lands on the higher end of the spectrum for added sugar content. Ciders come closest, as they also tend to include extra sweeteners. Beers, particularly light beers, generally have lower amounts of sugar than flavored malt drinks. Wines range quite a bit in sugar content depending on the variety, but are typically lower than Redd’s Wicked Apple. Spirits mixed with soda or on their own have minimal sugars.
So Redd’s Wicked Apple does contain more added sugars than many common alcoholic drink options. The only types with consistently higher averages are sweet ciders and cordials like hard lemonade.
Low Sugar Alcoholic Options
For drinkers looking to limit sugar intake from alcoholic beverages, some low sugar options include:
– Light beer or low-carb beer
– Dry wines
– Distilled spirits without mixers like soda
– Vodka sodas
– Sparkling water with a splash of juice
– Straight liquors like whiskey, vodka, tequila, gin, rum
Sticking to these lower sugar options can make a significant difference compared to the 31 grams per serving in Redd’s Wicked Apple.
Daily Recommended Sugar Intake
To put the 31 grams of sugar in Redd’s Wicked Apple into perspective, health authorities recommend limiting added sugar intake to:
– Men: 36 grams per day
– Women: 25 grams per day
So the 31 grams from one 12-ounce serving of Redd’s Wicked Apple equates to:
– 86% of the daily recommended limit for women
– 58% of the daily recommended limit for men
Consuming this flavored malt beverage results in exceeding half or more of your daily recommended added sugar maximum in just one serving. Having more than one serving could put you over the limit for sugar in a single day.
Risks of Excessive Sugar Consumption
The risks and health effects of excessive sugar intake include:
– Weight gain – extra calories from sugar are easily stored as fat
– Obesity
– Diabetes
– Heart disease
– High blood pressure
– High cholesterol
– Fatty liver disease
– Tooth decay
– Inflammation
– Increased triglycerides
Consuming high amounts of added sugars like those found in Redd’s Wicked Apple should be done in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Exceeding daily recommended limits regularly can lead to negative impacts on health over time. Being aware of the sugar content enables making informed decisions about alcohol consumption.
Tips for Drinking Redd’s Wicked Apple with Less Sugar
If you want to enjoy drinks like Redd’s Wicked Apple but control your sugar intake, here are some tips:
– Have only one serving and avoid multiple servings to limit total sugar consumption.
– Drink over ice to dilute the sweetness and decrease the flavor intensity.
– Mix with seltzer or soda water to cut the sugar concentration in half.
– Opt for the Redd’s Wicked Apple Ale, which contains half the sugar at 16 grams per serving.
– Offset the sugar by reducing other sources for the day like desserts.
– Pair with food or snacks so you feel satiated faster.
– Switch to a lower sugar alcohol on some days such as light beer or dry wine.
Substitutions to Reduce Sugar
You can also make some simple substitutions while keeping a similar flavor profile:
– Instead of Redd’s Wicked Apple, have a hard apple cider like Angry Orchard that has slightly less sugar.
– Substitute half the Redd’s with a light beer to decrease the sugar and calories.
– Mix Redd’s with club soda or seltzer rather than drinking it straight.
– Ask for Redd’s Wicked Apple Light at the bar, which has 50 calories and 2g carbs.
– For a non-alcoholic option, mix apple juice with seltzer water and add a dash of bitters.
Nutrition Facts Label for Redd’s Wicked Apple
Here is the full nutrition facts label for Redd’s Wicked Apple according to the manufacturer:
This provides all the details on calorie, sugar, carbohydrate, protein, and fat content. It also shows that Redd’s Wicked Apple contains no fiber, vitamins, or minerals.
Ingredient List
According to the Redd’s website, the ingredients in Redd’s Wicked Apple are:
– Carbonated water
– Malted barley
– Apple juice concentrate
– Yeast
– Hops
– Natural flavors
– Citric acid
– Sucralose
– Sodium citrate
– Potassium sorbate
– Red 40
So it contains apple juice concentrate to provide apple flavor. But extra sweeteners like sucralose are added as well.
Should You Drink Redd’s Wicked Apple?
Based on its high sugar content, here are some factors to consider regarding consuming Redd’s Wicked Apple:
Pros
– Delicious, fruity apple taste
– Refreshing and flavorful
– Lower alcohol content (5% ABV) compared to many beers and wines
– Appealing to those who enjoy fruit-flavored drinks
– Can be enjoyable when consumed responsibly and in moderation
Cons
– Very high in added sugars, exceeding daily limits in one serving
– Not ideal for limiting sugar intake or managing diabetes
– Provides empty calories without much nutritional value
– Health risks when consumed frequently or excessively
– Intense sweetness could lead to overconsumption
Alternatives
– For a sweet flavor, opt for a hard cider like Angry Orchard which is slightly lower in sugar
– Have Redd’s Wicked Apple Ale instead, with 16g sugar per serving
– Mix with seltzer or diet soda to dilute the sweetness
– Choose light beer or straight liquor with zero sugar mixers
So drinking Redd’s Wicked Apple could fit into an overall healthy diet if consumed occasionally and mindfully. But the high sugar content means it may not be the best choice for frequent consumption if you are concerned about sugar intake or any related health conditions. Being informed about the sugars in Redd’s Wicked Apple and taking steps to moderate intake enables enjoying it responsibly.
The Bottom Line
Redd’s Wicked Apple is a sweet, fruity flavored malt beverage, but it comes at the cost of significant added sugar. Each 12-ounce serving contains 31 grams of sugar, which is 86% of the daily limit for women and 58% for men. Among flavored malt beverages, Redd’s Wicked Apple is on the higher end for sugar content. Compared to most beers, wines, and liquors, it is also quite high in sugar.
Consuming Redd’s Wicked Apple in excess could easily surpass daily sugar intake recommendations, which could negatively impact health over time. Being aware of these sugar levels allows you to make informed choices and enjoy Redd’s Wicked Apple responsibly. Sticking to just one serving, alternating with lower sugar drinks, diluting with seltzer, and other measures can help moderate sugar intake if Redd’s Wicked Apple is your flavor of choice.
