HorlicksMalt & Health Drink Mixes

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink

Published · Last updated

A realistic serve of Horlicks Classic Malt Drink (3 spoons, 27 g) has 102 kcal, 3 g protein, 21.3 g carbohydrate, 0.5 g fat, 3.6 g added sugar and 108 mg sodium. Per 100 g it has 377 kcal, 11 g protein, 79 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat, 1.4 g saturated fat, 13.5 g added sugar and 400 mg sodium.

Summary

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink is a malted barley and wheat powder with milk solids, stirred into milk or water. It scores [F]CB3: nutrition is middling because the grade leans on added vitamins and minerals, ingredients are fairly clean with no additives of concern, and risk is moderate on sodium and sugar. Fine a few times a week, not a growth shortcut.

Full summary

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink scores [F]CB3 on CleanPlate: nutrition C, ingredients B, load risk 3.

The [F] flag means added vitamins or minerals lift its nutrition grade.

12%35%49%

Tap a slice or a name to see what it is made of.

Share of calories, per 100 g

  • Protein: 11 g per 100 g, 12% of the calories.
  • Carbs (not counting sugars and fibre): 33 g per 100 g, 35% of the calories.
  • Sugars: 46 g per 100 g, 49% of the calories, of which 13.5 g is added.
  • Fat: 2 g per 100 g, 5% of the calories, of which 1.4 g is saturated.
Added sugar13.5 g
Saturated fat1.4 g
Sodium400 mg

The tick is the “high” line

Watch
High added sugar (13.5g per 100g)
On the pack
4 claims checked: 1 holds, 3 need care

Last reviewed October 31, 2026

Ingredients, decoded

12 listed
  • Malt (66.7%)
    • Barley (32%)
    • Wheat Flour (Atta)
    • Wheat
    • Millet
  • Milk Solids
  • Sugar
  • Wheat Gluten
  • Minerals
  • Edible Iodized Salt
  • Soy Protein Isolate
  • Acidity Regulators [INS 501(ii), INS 500(ii)]
  • Vitamins
High concernModerate concernLow concernNo concernIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more. How we rate additives
Horlicks Classic Malt Drink pack, front view

9 teaspoons of sugar in every 100 g · 46 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon

Score and nutrition facts for Horlicks Classic Malt Drink:

FFortifiedHigh sugarNutrition per 100 g
CNutrition densityBIngredient integrity3Load risk
Nutrition facts
Energy377 kcal
Protein11 g
Carbohydrates79 g
Total sugars46 g
Added sugars13.5 g
Total fat2 g
Saturated fat1.4 g
Trans fat0.1 g
Cholesterol5 mg
Sodium400 mg
Iron26 mg
Zinc8.3 mg
Copper0.65 mg
Calcium741 mg
Iodine139 µg
Chloride565 mg
Magnesium65 mg
Potassium450 mg
Selenium74 µg
Vitamin C148 mg
Vitamin E2.5 mg
Phosphorus280 mg
Vitamin A741 µg
Vitamin B11.3 mg
Vitamin B23 mg
Vitamin B317 mg
Vitamin B51.4 mg
Vitamin B63.7 mg
Vitamin D9.3 µg
Folic acid370 µg
Vitamin B79 µg
Vitamin B121.9 µg
Highlighted values exceed the FSSAI and UK front of pack thresholds.

Think this score is wrong?

Why Horlicks Classic Malt Drink scores [F]CB3

Nutrition is a C only because of added vitamins and minerals, and would be an E without them. Ingredients are a B with no additives of concern, and risk is a 3 on 400 mg sodium and 13.5 g added sugar per 100 g.

How we score →
01 Nutrition densityA to E
C

Adequate nutrient density

Protein
11 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
22 declared
Energy
377 kcal

01 Nutrition density: why C

Protein is 11 g per 100 g, about 3 g in a 27 g serve, and much of it comes from wheat gluten, the largest single contributor. On protein and energy alone the grade would be an E, because the core score is zero.

The lift comes from fortification: B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folate, vitamins A, C and D, calcium, iron and zinc are added. They earn micronutrient credit and bring the grade to a C, but they are added nutrients, not ones that come from the food.

Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal. Protein also has to supply at least 12.5% of the calories to count, and 25% for full credit.

02 Ingredient integrityA to E
B

Good, few concerning additives

Base
Malt, Wheat Flour, Wheat, Mil...
Sweeteners
Sugar
Additives
2
Flagged
None

02 Ingredient integrity: why B

Malt, made from barley, wheat flour, wheat and millet, leads at 66.7%, followed by milk solids at 14%. Both acidity regulators (sodium and potassium carbonates) are low-concern additives and cost no ingredient points.

Most percentages are not declared, and minerals and vitamins are listed without being named. That keeps the grade at a B, not higher. No sweetener, dye, hydrogenated fat or hollow label promise is present.

Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.

03 Load risk1 to 5
3

Moderate risk

Added sugar
13.5 g
Sodium
400 mg
Saturated fat
1.4 g
Trans fat
0.1 g

03 Load risk: why 3

Sodium is the largest part of the risk number at 400 mg per 100 g, about 108 mg per serve. Added sugar of 13.5 g per 100 g is the next biggest, about 3.6 g per serve.

Energy (377 kcal per 100 g), saturated fat (1.4 g) and trans fat (0.1 g, declared) add small amounts. Total sugar of 46 g per 100 g is higher than the added figure, but risk is scored on the 13.5 g added sugar.

Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.

[F] Added vitamins or minerals meaningfully lift this product's nutrition grade. Without them it would score lower.

Red flags

  • Red flag: High added sugar (13.5g per 100g)

Green flags

Nothing stands out in its favour.

Does Horlicks Classic Malt Drink live up to its claims?

The malt and the headline protein, calcium and iron figures hold per 100 g. Taller, Stronger, Sharper and immunity claims cannot be checked from the label, and one serve gives about a quarter of the front-panel figures.

  • Product name

    “Classic Malt”

    Holds

    Malt is the first ingredient at 66.7%, with barley at 32%.

  • On the pack

    “Protein 11g, Calcium 741mg, Iron 26mg”

    Be careful

    The figures match the panel per 100 g. One 27 g serve gives about 3 g protein, 200 mg calcium and 7 mg iron, and the front does not say which basis it uses.

  • On the pack

    “Clinically Proven: Taller, Stronger, Sharper”

    Be careful

    The pack gives no study details. What the label shows is added protein, calcium, iron and vitamins, alongside 13.5 g added sugar per 100 g.

  • On the pack

    “Supports immunity”

    Be careful

    Vitamins A, C, D and zinc are added, for example 148 mg vitamin C per 100 g. They are real, but immunity depends on the whole diet, not one drink.

What's in Horlicks Classic Malt Drink?

Malt leads the list at 66.7%, then milk solids at 14% and sugar. The sodium, the added sugar and the unnamed vitamins and minerals are what to read closely.

How we rate additives →

12 ingredients listed. None of them is an additive or watched ingredient in our research. 1 more entry looks like an additive we have not researched yet.

The ingredient list, read for you

Malt (66.7%) leads, built from barley (32%), wheat flour (atta), wheat and millet, and it gives the drink its malt taste. Milk solids (14%) and sugar follow, then wheat gluten and soy protein isolate, which add protein.

Minerals, vitamins and iodised salt are the fortification, though the list does not name which minerals and vitamins. The acidity regulators (INS 501(ii) and 500(ii)) are carbonates that control acidity.

Not in our additive research yet: Acidity Regulators [INS 501(ii), INS 500(ii)].

Ingredients to watch

  • Fortification carries the gradeWorth watching

    Nutrition is a C only because of added vitamins and minerals. Without them it would be an E.

  • SodiumWorth watching

    400 mg per 100 g, about 108 mg in a 27 g serve. It is the biggest part of the risk number.

  • Added sugarWorth watching

    13.5 g per 100 g, about 3.6 g per serve. Total sugar is 46 g per 100 g, about 12 g per serve.

  • Allergens in the listWorth watching

    Barley, wheat, wheat gluten, milk solids and soy protein isolate are all listed, so it is not suitable for gluten, milk or soy allergy.

  • Acidity regulatorsFine

    Sodium and potassium carbonates (500(ii), 501(ii)) are low-concern and cost no ingredient points.

What it doesn’t have

  • Minerals and vitamins are listed without naming them, and most ingredient percentages are not declared.

What to know about Horlicks Classic Malt Drink

A malt drink whose nutrients are mostly added

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink is a malt-based food powder: malt (66.7%, of which barley is 32%, with wheat flour, wheat and millet), milk solids (14%), sugar, wheat gluten, minerals, iodised salt, soy protein isolate, two acidity regulators and vitamins. It is bought as a stir-in drink for children and adults, mixed with 200 ml of hot or cold milk or water.

One 27 g serve, three spoons, gives about 102 kcal, 3 g protein, 3.6 g added sugar and 108 mg sodium before any milk is added. Per 100 g the powder has 377 kcal, 11 g protein, 46 g total sugar, 13.5 g of it added, and 400 mg sodium. It also carries 741 mg calcium and 26 mg iron per 100 g, which is about 200 mg and 7 mg per serve.

The front leads with Classic Malt, and the list backs that up. The growth and strength lines are harder to check from a label, and the headline protein, calcium and iron figures are per 100 g, not per serve. CleanPlate scores it [F]CB3.

Who should eat Horlicks Classic Malt Drink?

A few times a week suits most adults and children. People managing blood sugar or weight should keep it occasional, since total sugar is 46 g per 100 g.

  • Most adultsA few times a week

    About 102 kcal and 108 mg sodium per 27 g serve.

  • ChildrenA few times a week

    About 3.6 g added sugar per serve, with 200 mg calcium and 7 mg iron.

  • Diabetes or prediabetesOccasionally

    Total sugar is 46 g per 100 g, about 12 g per serve.

  • Weight managementA few times a week

    About 102 kcal per serve before milk; twice a day doubles it.

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink: common questions

Is Horlicks Classic Malt Drink healthy?

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink is high in sugar, so a few servings a week is fine.

How many calories and how much protein are in Horlicks Classic Malt Drink?

Per 100 g, Horlicks Classic Malt Drink has 377 kcal, 11 g protein, 79 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat and 1.4 g saturated fat. One serve (3 spoons, 27 g) has 102 kcal and 3 g protein.

What are the ingredients in Horlicks Classic Malt Drink?

12 ingredients, in label order: Malt (66.7%) (Barley (32%), Wheat Flour (Atta), Wheat, Millet), Milk Solids, Sugar, Wheat Gluten, Minerals, Edible Iodized Salt, Soy Protein Isolate, Acidity Regulators [INS 501(ii), INS 500(ii)], Vitamins.

Does Horlicks Classic Malt Drink live up to its claims?

4 claims checked: 1 holds, 3 need care. "Protein 11g, Calcium 741mg, Iron 26mg" needs care: The figures match the panel per 100 g. One 27 g serve gives about 3 g protein, 200 mg calcium and 7 mg iron, and the front does not say which basis it uses. "Clinically Proven: Taller, Stronger, Sharper" needs care: The pack gives no study details. What the label shows is added protein, calcium, iron and vitamins, alongside 13.5 g added sugar per 100 g.

Who should limit Horlicks Classic Malt Drink?

Most adults: a few times a week. About 102 kcal and 108 mg sodium per 27 g serve. Children: a few times a week. About 3.6 g added sugar per serve, with 200 mg calcium and 7 mg iron. Diabetes or prediabetes: occasionally. Total sugar is 46 g per 100 g, about 12 g per serve.

How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does Horlicks Classic Malt Drink have?

Per 100 g, Horlicks Classic Malt Drink has 13.5 g added sugar, 400 mg sodium (about 1 g salt) and 1.4 g saturated fat. The FSSAI and UK FSA "high" lines are 10 g added sugar, 600 mg sodium and 5 g saturated fat per 100 g. It is high in sugar.

What does the CB3 score mean for Horlicks Classic Malt Drink?

The first letter (C) grades nutrition density on A to E, the second (B) grades ingredient integrity on A to E, and the number (3) grades load risk on 1 to 5. A and 1 are best. Nutrition: Protein is 11 g per 100 g, about 3 g in a 27 g serve, and much of it comes from wheat gluten, the largest single contributor. On protein and energy alone the grade would be an E, because the core score is zero. Ingredients: Malt, made from barley, wheat flour, wheat and millet, leads at 66.7%, followed by milk solids at 14%. Both acidity regulators (sodium and potassium carbonates) are low-concern additives and cost no ingredient points. Load risk: Sodium is the largest part of the risk number at 400 mg per 100 g, about 108 mg per serve. Added sugar of 13.5 g per 100 g is the next biggest, about 3.6 g per serve.

Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .

Reference values: FSSAI labelling regulations, Codex Alimentarius, ICMR-NIN and the UK front of pack guidance. Where our label data comes from.

Label read on 31 October 2026, from photos of the pack. If the pack has changed since, tell us.

Score history (1)
DateScoreMethodWhy
31 October 2026CB3v5.0First scored

Every change to this score is logged. See corrections and the method changelog.

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