8 Low Calorie Whiskey Drinks

How Many Calories In Whiskey?

A shot of neat whiskey will only contain trace amounts of carbohydrates, no protein, and zero fat, yet, thanks to the alcohol content, it still contains calories. But not all whiskeys are created equal, and there is some variation from brand to brand in the number of calories per shot.

Most whiskeys contain between 100 and 150 calories per 1.5 oz serving. While opting for a whiskey at the lower end of that scale is obviously going to help reduce the number of calories that you consume, being mindful of the other ingredients and their sugar content in a cocktail recipe is also important.

Many classic cocktail recipes are mixed with sugary ingredients, which, aside from adding sweetness, also add calories to your cocktail recipe.

When mixing a drink or ordering your whisky cocktail, you can opt for lower-calorie variations on many staple cocktail ingredients without sacrificing taste. A Jack and Diet Coke will be a healthier version of a Jack and full-strength, regular Coke, for example, with little difference in taste.

Low-Calorie Whiskey Cocktails

Here’s our roundup of the best low-calorie versions of some traditional whiskey cocktail recipes to help you keep an eye on your waistline the next time you fancy a quick tipple.

The ultimate simple whiskey cocktail recipe, Jack and Coke, calls for two simple ingredients, some ice and lemon or lime, to add an optional tart twist or to use as a garnish.

To make this drink, you just need to know the correct ratios. This recipe calls for one part Jack Daniel’s mixed with three parts Coke.

To change the recipe to a low-calorie version, simply use a diet version of Coke, be that Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or any other brand. You can also try different whiskeys, although opting for a bourbon or a Scotch would technically mean it was no longer a Jack and Coke.

A true classic cocktail recipe that was purportedly drunk by sailors to help stave off bouts of scurvy on long journeys, a traditional whiskey sour is made from bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and an optional egg white. Simple syrup is a sugar-based syrup that adds calories to the final drink.

Instead of the sugar-filled syrup, you can sweeten your whiskey sour recipe with lemonade-flavored MiO Water Enhancer. MiO Water Enhancer is sugar-free and less calorific than simple syrup, and the lemonade-flavored version works perfectly in a whiskey sour.

The glass choice for a whiskey sour is usually a rocks glass, and the garnish preparation involves slicing an orange and adding it to a cocktail stick along with a maraschino cherry.

Timeless old-fashioned recipes traditionally include bourbon, Angostura Orange Bitters, and simple syrup and orange zest as a garnish.

By switching out the syrup, you can reduce the number of calories in the drink, and your taste buds will barely notice. 

For a lower-calorie old-fashioned recipe, mix the bourbon and bitters with orange-flavored soda water instead, and serve over ice in a rocks glass. You get a great flavor without the added sugar.

Hot toddies have been drunk as a nightcap or to help fight common colds for many a year, especially in colder climes. Traditionally made from a recipe including whiskey, water, and lemon juice with added warming spices, the hot toddy is usually sweetened with either sugar or honey.

For this low-calorie version, simply grab a can of diet ginger ale to use instead of the sugar or honey. In addition to the ginger ale, you also need your favorite bourbon, lemon juice, whole cloves, a cinnamon stick, and nutmeg.

The classic Kentucky Derby cocktail, a mint julep, is usually made from bourbon, sugar, water, crushed or shaved ice, and fresh mint leaves. 

For those seeking out low-calorie cocktails or on a low-carb/low-sugar diet, you can reduce the calories in this refreshing recipe even further by switching powdered sugar for stevia, a calorie-free sweetener.

If you’re looking for low-calorie cocktails that pack a punch, you can’t go wrong with a potent three-Wisemen mix. It’s a potent combination of whiskeys, and you’ll get to enjoy the esteemed company of Jim, Jack, and Johnnie, also known as Beam, Daniels, and Walker.

Simply mix equal parts Johnnie Walker Scotch, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, and Jim Beam Bourbon by adding a half ounce of each to a cocktail shaker half-full with ice, shake for thirty seconds and serve in a shot glass.

Whiskey has no added sugar and zero carbs, and there are no sugar-filled mixers, making this perfect for those watching their sugar intake.

For a low-calorie version of a classic Moscow mule but with an Irish twist, this Irish mule still packs a kick. You’ll need your favorite Irish whiskey, sugar-free ginger beer, fresh lime juice, fresh mint leaves, and plenty of ice. You can also have a sprig of mint or a lemon wedge on hand for a garnish.

You can use whichever glass you like, but a highball glass works well. Combine the ingredients, starting with the ice, followed by the whiskey, and then the rest. Stir well, serve, and drink.

Another low-calorie offering with an Emerald Isle flavor, the Irish martini needs no sugary mixers and is easy to assemble. Before you start mixing, pop a martini glass in the fridge to chill, then gather the simple ingredients called for in the recipe.

You’ll need vodka, Irish whiskey, dry vermouth, fresh lime, and ice. For this twist on the classic drink, fill your cocktail shaker half full with ice, add the booze, and give it a hearty shake. Pour into your chile martini glass, and add a lemon twist to serve.

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