Calories in Whiskey
A 1.5 oz shot of whiskey has about 97 calories. See how many calories are in whiskey 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 whiskey has about 97 calories. Plain whiskey contains no carbs, sugar or fat — all of its calories come from the alcohol itself.
How Many Calories Are in Whiskey?
A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof whiskey has about 97 calories. Whether it is Scotch, bourbon, rye, Irish or Canadian whisky, plain straight whiskey contains no carbohydrates, no sugar and no fat — all of its calories come from the alcohol itself, which provides about 7 calories per gram. The grains used to make whiskey are fermented and distilled, so the sugars are converted to alcohol and left behind in the process.
Since the calories are tied entirely to alcohol content, proof is the only variable for unflavored whiskey. Standard whiskey is 80 proof (40% ABV), the basis for the ~97-calorie figure, while cask-strength and bottled-in-bond bottles run higher.
Whiskey Calories by Serving and Proof
| Whiskey | 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 |
| Cask-strength shot | 1.5 oz | 58% | ~143 |
Age statements and barrel finishes change flavor, not calories. Scotch, bourbon and rye are all essentially identical in calories at the same proof.
Macros in a Standard Whiskey Shot
| Nutrient | Per 1.5 oz shot |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~97 |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Alcohol | ~14 g |
Whiskey is a source of “empty calories” — energy with no protein, fiber, vitamins or minerals. The one exception is flavored whiskey: honey or cinnamon styles add a few grams of sugar and a handful of calories per shot.
Whiskey Cocktails: Where Calories Add Up
Neat whiskey or whiskey with diet soda stays near 97 calories, but sweet mixers can double or triple a drink.
| Whiskey drink | Approx. calories |
|---|---|
| Whiskey, neat | ~97 |
| Whiskey and diet soda | ~97 |
| Whiskey and water | ~97 |
| Old Fashioned | ~155 |
| Whiskey sour | ~200 |
| Whiskey and cola | ~215 |
The Lowest-Calorie Way to Drink Whiskey
To keep whiskey light, sip it neat, on the rocks, or with soda water and a splash of plain water — all of which stay close to 97 calories. The calorie spikes come from simple syrup, sour mix and regular cola in cocktails. Choosing diet mixers, bitters and fresh citrus over sugary syrups is the simplest way to enjoy whiskey drinks without inflating the count.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a shot of whiskey?
A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof (40% ABV) whiskey has about 97 calories. All of those calories come from alcohol, since straight whiskey contains no carbohydrates, sugar or fat.
Does whiskey have carbs or sugar?
Straight whiskey has zero carbohydrates and zero sugar. The grain sugars are fermented into alcohol and then distilled away, leaving only ethanol and water. Flavored whiskeys may add sugar.
Is whiskey lower in calories than beer or wine?
A 97-calorie whiskey shot is typically lower than a 12-ounce beer (~150 calories) or a 5-ounce glass of wine (~120 to 125), as long as you avoid sugary mixers.
Why does higher-proof whiskey have more calories?
Calories in spirits track with alcohol content. A 100-proof (50% ABV) whiskey has about 124 calories per 1.5-ounce shot, versus 97 for an 80-proof pour, because there is more alcohol.
Does flavored whiskey have more calories?
Yes. Honey, cinnamon and other flavored whiskeys are often bottled at lower proof but with added sugar, so a shot can run 100 to 110 calories with a few grams of carbs.
Sources
- FoodData Central — food composition database — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)