How Many Calories Are In A Shot Of Bourbon? (2023 Updated)

Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin

As you know, distilled alcohol has fewer calories than beer and wine. When you’re trying to watch your weight, we think it’s crucial that you take every alcohol sip (or shot) into account. 

So, how many calories are in a shot of bourbon? We’ll tell you all about it below. 

Number of Calories in a Shot of Bourbon

According to the USDA, a standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof bourbon has 97 calories. 

However, that calorie number is only the average and should never be considered actual data for every occurrence. Many factors can affect the calorie number present in each shot of whiskey. 

Factors That May Affect ts Number of Calories 

Alcohol By Volume

The 97 calorie count per 1.5 glass of bourbon is only valid for 80-proof bottles (the standard for most). Most whiskey bottles, such as Jack Daniel’s No. 7 and Wild Turkey, are 80 proof. 

However, if you were to drink whiskey with 100 proof, such as the Old Forester 100 Proof or the Evan Williams White Label, you could easily be getting 124 calories per drink. 

Here’s the general rule: the higher the proof, the more calories there are in one shot. 

Brand

The calorie count in each 1.5 oz shot of bourbon would also vary depending on the brand. 

For example, a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey with the same 80 proof has 104 calories versus Johnnie Walker (Black Label)’s 98 calories. 

When Mixed

Of course, if you choose to have your whiskey in a cocktail, such as an Old Fashioned or a classic Manhattan, keep in mind the number of calories in the mixer. [1] 

A classic Manhattan, complete with bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, has a whopping 187 calories on average. It may be easy to over-indulge yourself if you’re not careful! 

How Many Carbs Does Bourbon Have? 

If you’re counting carbs, consider this article as your sigh of relief — bourbons don’t contain carbs. 

Like other distilled spirits (gin, vodka, and brandy), whiskey has zero carbohydrates. This is because the sugar initially present in the fermented brew had been eliminated to create a stronger, more concentrated spirit. 

Most of the time, carbs are only present in drinks when there is sugar. But is bourbon gluten-free?

Will Drinking It Make You Fat? 

Believe it or not, the answer to this question is both a yes and no. 

How so? 

Drinking the booze itself will not make you fat. In fact, some studies have shown that drinking bourbon can even help with weight management and prevent heart disease, but it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for a healthy diet. It’s also not a free pass to indulge in spirits all you want! 

However, the sugars in the mixers in a bourbon cocktail can turn into unwanted fats when they react to alcohol. It’s best to have a dram neat if you don’t want to gain weight. 

Some people also feel hungry after drinking, and they crave the wrong food, thus resulting in growing fatter. 

Can You Drink It When You’re On a Diet? 

Yes, it’s perfectly fine to drink bourbon even if you’re dieting! In fact, you’ll find that most pure alcoholic drinks, like vodka, brandy, and whiskey, are A-okay, because they’re all carb and sugar-free. 

However, this doesn’t give you the free pass to imbibe straight bourbon all you want. It’s best to limit yourself to one to two drinks per day (or whenever a special occasion calls for a celebration). 

FAQs 

Will the calories in bourbon be more fattening than whiskey?

Well, bourbon is a type of whiskey, so we would say that they have more or less the same calories. 

The difference between bourbon and whiskey is that the former must be made with a corn-heavy fermented mash bill (at least 51 percent) and aged in new, charred oak barrels, while the latter requires a mash bill made from malted barley. 

How many calories are in 1 oz of bourbon?

There are 70 calories in 1 ounce of bourbon. Most countries, including the US, measure a standard shot glass at 1.5 ounces. However, a shot glass measures just 1 ounce in Australia and India. But is bourbon good for you?

Final Thoughts 

There are 97 calories in a standard 1.5 oz shot of alcohol. 

1.5 ounces is the standard drink size for most hard spirits, so if you want to consume this drink, it’s a healthier alternative as opposed to beer or wine. 

Of course, the calorie count varies depending on the alcohol proof, brand, and sugary mixers used. If you were drinking a 100-proof whiskey, each drink would have 124 calories. 

If you were to enjoy your favorite whiskey in a classic Manhattan, you would have consumed 187 calories (about as much as a standard beer bottle). 

Although this alcohol is perfectly safe to drink without worrying about weight gain, it’s best to consume whiskey neat or on the rocks for fewer calories. 

Reference: 

1. https://www.thrillist.com/vice/history-and-origin-of-the-old-fashioned-cocktail