Calories in Bourbon
A 1.5 oz shot of bourbon has about 97 calories. See how many calories are in bourbon by serving and proof, why it has zero carbs, plus a full calorie table.
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Quick answer
A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof bourbon has about 97 calories. Plain bourbon contains no carbs, sugar or fat — all of its calories come from the alcohol itself.
How Many Calories Are in Bourbon?
A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof bourbon has about 97 calories. Like other straight distilled spirits, plain bourbon contains no carbohydrates, no sugar and no fat — all of its calories come from the alcohol itself, which provides about 7 calories per gram. Even though bourbon is distilled from a corn-heavy grain mash, the fermentable sugars are converted to alcohol and the alcohol is then distilled off, leaving essentially ethanol and water.
Because the calories are tied entirely to alcohol content, proof is the only variable for the spirit. Standard bourbon is 80 proof (40% ABV), but barrel-proof and bottled-in-bond expressions can run 100 proof or higher, which raises the calorie count proportionally.
Bourbon Calories by Serving and Proof
| Bourbon | Serving | ABV | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per ounce | 1 oz | 40% | ~64 |
| Standard shot | 1.5 oz | 40% | ~97 |
| Double shot | 3 oz | 40% | ~194 |
| Bottled-in-bond shot | 1.5 oz | 50% | ~124 |
| Barrel-proof shot | 1.5 oz | 57.5% | ~140 |
Aging in charred oak barrels gives bourbon its color and flavor but does not change the calorie content. A higher-proof bourbon simply packs more alcohol into the same pour.
Macros in a Standard Bourbon Shot
| Nutrient | Per 1.5 oz shot |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~97 |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Alcohol | ~14 g |
Bourbon is a source of “empty calories” — energy from alcohol with no protein, fiber, vitamins or minerals to speak of. That is why even a low per-shot count can add up over an evening.
Bourbon Cocktails: Where Calories Climb
The bourbon is rarely the calorie issue — the mixers and sweeteners are. A neat pour or bourbon with diet soda stays near 97 calories, while classic and sweet drinks build from there.
| Bourbon drink | Approx. calories |
|---|---|
| Bourbon, neat | ~97 |
| Bourbon and diet soda | ~97 |
| Old Fashioned | ~155 |
| Whiskey sour | ~200 |
| Bourbon and cola | ~215 |
| Mint julep | ~225 |
The Lowest-Calorie Way to Drink Bourbon
To keep bourbon light, sip it neat or on the rocks, or mix it with soda water and a citrus twist, all of which stay close to 97 calories. Where calories spiral is in simple syrup, sweet vermouth, sour mix and regular cola. Reaching for diet mixers, bitters and fresh citrus instead of syrup is the simplest way to enjoy bourbon cocktails without doubling the count.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a shot of bourbon?
A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof (40% ABV) bourbon has about 97 calories. All of those calories come from alcohol, since straight bourbon contains no carbohydrates, sugar or fat.
Does bourbon have carbs or sugar?
Straight bourbon has zero carbohydrates and zero sugar. Although it is made from a corn-based mash, the sugars are fermented into alcohol and distilled away, leaving only ethanol and water.
Why is higher-proof bourbon higher in calories?
Calories in spirits track directly with alcohol content. A 100-proof (50% ABV) bourbon has about 124 calories per 1.5-ounce shot, versus 97 for an 80-proof pour, because there is more alcohol.
How many calories are in bourbon cocktails?
It depends on the mixers. Bourbon and diet soda stays near 97 calories, an Old Fashioned runs about 150 to 180, and sweet drinks like a whiskey sour or bourbon and cola land around 200 to 250.
Is bourbon fattening?
Bourbon itself has no fat and no sugar, so a single neat pour is modest in calories. The body burns alcohol first, though, which can slow fat burning, and sugary mixers add up quickly.
Sources
- FoodData Central — food composition database — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)