HorlicksMalt & Health Drink Mixes

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix

Published · Last updated

A realistic serve of Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix (27 g, three spoons) has 97 kcal, 3 g protein, 20.8 g carbohydrate, 0.5 g fat, 3.2 g added sugar and 47 mg sodium. Per 100 g it has 358 kcal, 11 g protein, 77 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 12 g added sugar, 6.1 g fibre and 175 mg sodium.

Summary

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix is a malted barley and wheat powder stirred into milk or water, fortified with vitamins and minerals. It scores [F]BA3: nutrition is held up by fortification, ingredients are plain with no additives of concern, and risk is middling because of sugar and energy. A reasonable regular drink in a small serve, not a replacement for a meal.

Full summary

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix scores [F]BA3 on CleanPlate: nutrition B, ingredients A, load risk 3.

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

12%29%50%

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): 25.9 g per 100 g, 29% of the calories.
  • Sugars: 45 g per 100 g, 50% of the calories, of which 12 g is added.
  • Fat: 2 g per 100 g, 5% of the calories, of which 1 g is saturated.
  • Fibre: 6.1 g per 100 g, 3% of the calories (fibre counts at 2 kcal per gram).
Added sugar12 g
Saturated fat1 g
Sodium175 mg

The tick is the “high” line

Watch
High added sugar (12g per 100g)
In its favour
High fibre (6.1g)
On the pack
4 claims checked: 1 holds, 1 is partly true, 2 need care

Last reviewed October 31, 2026

Ingredients, decoded

14 listed
  • Superfood Blend (38%)
    • Barley Products (Malted Barley(24%), Barley)
    • Millet (4%)
    • Oat Powder (1%)
    • Almond Powder* (0.5%)
  • Wheat Products
    • Wheat Flour (Atta) (26%)
    • Wheat Extract
    • Wheat Gluten
  • Milk Solids (14%)
  • Sugar
  • Minerals & Vitamins
  • Edible Iodised Salt
  • Soy Protein Isolate
  • Acidity Regulators
    • Potassium Bicarbonate
    • Sodium Bicarbonate
High concernModerate concernLow concernNo concernIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more. How we rate additives
Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix pack, front view

9 teaspoons of sugar in every 100 g · 45 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon

Score and nutrition facts for Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix:

FFortifiedHigh sugarNutrition per 100 g
BNutrition densityAIngredient integrity3Load risk
Nutrition facts
Energy358 kcal
Protein11 g
Carbohydrates77 g
Total sugars45 g
Added sugars12 g
Dietary fibre6.1 g
Total fat2 g
Saturated fat1 g
Trans fat0.1 g
Cholesterol5 mg
Sodium175 mg
Iron26 mg
Zinc14.8 mg
Copper0.65 mg
Calcium741 mg
Iodine139 µg
Chloride565 mg
Magnesium65 mg
Potassium450 mg
Selenium68 µg
Vitamin C107 mg
Vitamin E10 mg
Phosphorus280 mg
Vitamin A940 µg
Vitamin B11.6 mg
Vitamin B23 mg
Vitamin B317 mg
Vitamin B56.4 mg
Vitamin B63.5 mg
Vitamin D27.5 µg
Folic acid250 µg
Vitamin B745 µg
Vitamin B124 µg
Highlighted values exceed the FSSAI and UK front of pack thresholds.

Think this score is wrong?

Why Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix scores [F]BA3

Nutrition is a B, lifted from a C by added vitamins and minerals. Ingredients are an A with no additives of concern, and risk is a 3, driven mainly by 12 g added sugar per 100 g.

How we score →
01 Nutrition densityA to E
B

Good nutrient density

Protein
11 g
Fibre
6.1 g
Vitamins and minerals
22 declared
Energy
358 kcal

01 Nutrition density: why B

Protein is 11 g per 100 g and fibre is 6.1 g, about 3 g protein and 1.7 g fibre in a 27 g serve. Most of the protein comes from milk solids, which contribute about 4.6 g per 33 g of powder-equivalent in the largest-protein-source check.

Twelve vitamins and minerals are added, including iron, calcium, zinc and vitamins A, C and D. This fortification lifts the grade from a C to a B, so the grade leans on what is added more than on the grain and milk base.

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
A

Clean, minimally processed

Base
Superfood Blend, Barley), Mil...
Sweeteners
Sugar
Additives
0
Flagged
None

02 Ingredient integrity: why A

The list leads with malted barley, wheat atta and milk solids, with declared percentages for most of them. No additive of concern is listed, and the two acidity regulators carry no penalty.

No hollow label promise was found. The superfoods named on the front are in the list, even though they are a small share.

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
12 g
Sodium
175 mg
Saturated fat
1 g
Trans fat
0.1 g

03 Load risk: why 3

Sugar is the largest part of the risk number, at 12 g of added sugar per 100 g. Energy at 358 kcal per 100 g and sodium at 175 mg per 100 g come next.

Saturated fat is low at 1 g per 100 g, and trans fat is printed as under 0.1 g with no hydrogenated fat listed. Together these land the risk grade on a 3.

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 (12g per 100g)

Green flags

  • Green flag: High fibre (6.1g)

Does Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix live up to its claims?

The malt and the protein figure hold, though the protein is per 100 g. The superfoods are only 5.5% of the powder, and the clinical claim is framed around children.

  • On the pack

    “Malt based food”

    Holds

    Malted barley is 24% of the powder and the largest single grain in the list.

  • On the pack

    “Protein 11 g”

    Be careful

    The figure is true per 100 g, and the back of the pack says so. One 27 g serve gives about 3 g protein.

  • On the pack

    “Super foods almonds, oats & millets”

    Partly true

    All three are in the list, but millet is 4%, oat powder 1% and almond powder 0.5%. The base is barley, wheat and milk solids.

  • On the pack

    “Clinically proven taller, stronger, sharper”

    Be careful

    The pack says it was tested on children aged 6 to 16 and carries a footnote. It is a framed result for that age group, and the powder is meant to be taken alongside a regular diet.

What's in Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix?

Malted barley, wheat atta and milk solids lead a short list with no additives of concern. Sugar and added vitamins are what to read carefully.

How we rate additives →

14 ingredients listed. None of them is an additive or watched ingredient in our research.

The ingredient list, read for you

Malted barley, barley, millet, oat and almond powder make up a 38% blend, followed by wheat atta at 26% and milk solids at 14%. Wheat extract and wheat gluten add to the wheat share, and soy protein isolate adds protein.

Sugar comes after the milk solids, then the added vitamins and minerals and iodised salt. The two acidity regulators, potassium and sodium bicarbonate, adjust acidity in the powder.

The label numbers, read for you

Per 100 g the panel shows 358 kcal, 11 g protein, 6.1 g fibre and 12 g added sugar, inside 45 g total sugar. In one 27 g serve that is about 97 kcal, 3 g protein, 1.7 g fibre and 3.2 g added sugar, before any milk is added.

Sodium is 175 mg per 100 g, about 47 mg a serve, and saturated fat is 1 g per 100 g. The fortification is large: 741 mg calcium and 26 mg iron per 100 g, roughly 200 mg and 7 mg per serve.

What to know about Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix

A fortified malt mix with a modest sugar load

Horlicks Classic Malt is a powder built on a 38% blend of barley products (malted barley 24%, barley, millet 4%, oat powder 1%, almond powder 0.5%), wheat atta 26% and milk solids 14%. Sugar, added vitamins and minerals, iodised salt, soy protein isolate and two acidity regulators complete the list. It is bought mainly for children and teens, and the pack points to ages 6 to 16.

Per 100 g the powder has 358 kcal, 11 g protein, 6.1 g fibre and 12 g added sugar. The pack serve is 27 g, three spoons in 200 ml of milk or water, which gives about 97 kcal, 3 g protein and 3.2 g added sugar from the powder alone. The cost is mostly the sugar and 175 mg sodium per 100 g, about 47 mg a serve.

The name is honest: malted barley is the largest single grain at 24%. The named superfoods are real but small, with almond, oats and millets adding up to 5.5% of the powder. The clinical claim on the front is framed around children's growth. CleanPlate scores it [F]BA3.

Who should eat Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix?

A few times a week for most adults and children, with a smaller serve for anyone managing sugar. One 27 g serve has about 97 kcal and 3.2 g added sugar.

  • Most adultsA few times a week

    A 27 g serve is about 97 kcal with 3.2 g added sugar.

  • ChildrenA few times a week

    Fortified, but 12 g added sugar per 100 g adds up with daily use.

  • Diabetes or prediabetesOccasionally

    77 g carbohydrate per 100 g, about 12 g total sugar in a serve.

  • Weight managementA few times a week

    About 97 kcal a serve, more once milk and extra spoons go in.

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix: common questions

Is Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix healthy?

Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix 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 Mix?

Per 100 g, Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix has 358 kcal, 11 g protein, 77 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat and 1 g saturated fat. One serve (27 g, three spoons) has 97 kcal and 3 g protein.

What are the ingredients in Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix?

14 ingredients, in label order: Superfood Blend (38%) (Barley Products (Malted Barley(24%), Barley), Millet (4%), Oat Powder (1%), Almond Powder* (0.5%)), Wheat Products (Wheat Flour (Atta) (26%), Wheat Extract, Wheat Gluten), Milk Solids (14%), Sugar, Minerals & Vitamins, Edible Iodised Salt, Soy Protein Isolate, Acidity Regulators (Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate).

Does Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix live up to its claims?

4 claims checked: 1 holds, 1 is partly true, 2 need care. "Protein 11 g" needs care: The figure is true per 100 g, and the back of the pack says so. One 27 g serve gives about 3 g protein. "Super foods almonds, oats & millets" is partly true: All three are in the list, but millet is 4%, oat powder 1% and almond powder 0.5%. The base is barley, wheat and milk solids.

Who should limit Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix?

Most adults: a few times a week. A 27 g serve is about 97 kcal with 3.2 g added sugar. Children: a few times a week. Fortified, but 12 g added sugar per 100 g adds up with daily use. Diabetes or prediabetes: occasionally. 77 g carbohydrate per 100 g, about 12 g total sugar in a serve.

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

Per 100 g, Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix has 12 g added sugar, 175 mg sodium (about 0.4 g salt) and 1 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 BA3 score mean for Horlicks Classic Malt Drink Mix?

The first letter (B) grades nutrition density on A to E, the second (A) 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 and fibre is 6.1 g, about 3 g protein and 1.7 g fibre in a 27 g serve. Most of the protein comes from milk solids, which contribute about 4.6 g per 33 g of powder-equivalent in the largest-protein-source check. Ingredients: The list leads with malted barley, wheat atta and milk solids, with declared percentages for most of them. No additive of concern is listed, and the two acidity regulators carry no penalty. Load risk: Sugar is the largest part of the risk number, at 12 g of added sugar per 100 g. Energy at 358 kcal per 100 g and sodium at 175 mg per 100 g come next.

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 2026BA3v5.0First scored

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

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