How Many Calories Are in a Shot of Each Liquor? A Detailed Breakdown

November 26, 2025 •

5 min read

A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof distilled spirits like vodka, gin, and whiskey contains approximately 97 calories, with all calories stemming directly from the alcohol itself. This guide provides a detailed look at how many calories are in a shot of each liquor, highlighting that most hard spirits have a similar caloric profile before any mixers are added.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the calorie content for a standard 1.5-ounce shot of popular liquors, including vodka, rum, tequila, and whiskey. Understand how alcohol proof and mixers drastically affect the total calorie count, helping you make informed decisions about your beverage choices.

Key Points

Standard Shot Calories: A standard 1.5-ounce (45ml) shot of 80-proof vodka, whiskey, tequila, gin, or rum contains approximately 96-100 calories.
Proof Affects Calories: Higher-proof spirits contain more alcohol per volume, resulting in a higher calorie count per shot. A 94-proof shot is higher than an 80-proof shot.
Liqueurs Are Higher in Calories: Sweetened liqueurs, unlike distilled spirits, have added sugars that significantly increase their calorie count, often into the 150-185+ calorie range per 1.5 oz.
Mixers Add Significant Calories: The biggest factor for overall drink calories is the mixer, with sugary sodas and juices adding many more calories than diet alternatives or soda water.
Calories are 'Empty': All calories from liquor are considered 'empty calories' because they provide energy without any essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, or protein.
Diet-Friendly Options: For a lower-calorie drink, stick to neat spirits, drinks on the rocks, or use diet mixers like diet tonic or soda water.

The Science Behind Liquor Calories

All hard liquor's calories come from the ethanol content, which provides around seven calories per gram—almost as much as pure fat, which has nine. Distilled spirits like vodka, whiskey, and tequila are free of carbohydrates, fats, and protein, meaning the calories are the only nutritional consideration from the alcohol itself. The final calorie count per shot is primarily determined by the alcohol percentage, also known as the proof. A higher proof means a higher alcohol concentration, resulting in more calories per serving. Liqueurs, which are typically sweetened, are a notable exception, as their added sugars increase their caloric load significantly.

Calories in Common Hard Liquors

Vodka

Vodka is often considered one of the lowest-calorie spirit options. A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof vodka contains approximately 96 to 100 calories. Since vodka is a pure distilled spirit with no other ingredients, its calorie count is stable, though higher-proof varieties will have more. For instance, a 94-proof shot is closer to 116 calories. A simple vodka soda is a low-calorie drink choice, as soda water contains zero calories.

Whiskey

A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof whiskey generally contains between 97 and 105 calories, which is comparable to other standard spirits. The exact number can fluctuate based on the proof, with higher proofs naturally containing more alcohol and thus more calories. Flavored whiskeys, which include added sugars, can also have a higher calorie count, often exceeding 110 calories per shot.

Tequila

Tequila's calorie count is very similar to vodka and whiskey. An average 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof tequila has about 96 to 98 calories. Quality tequilas made from 100% blue agave contain no carbohydrates or sugar, making them a popular choice for those on low-carb diets. The calories in tequila will increase when mixed into a sugary cocktail, like a traditional margarita.

Rum

For standard 80-proof white rum, a 1.5-ounce shot contains around 97 to 100 calories. The calorie content of rum can vary more than other spirits because dark and spiced rums often include added sugars and flavorings. If you are calorie-conscious, opt for a light rum served simply, like with a diet cola.

Gin

Gin's caloric content is on par with other 80-proof spirits. A 1.5-ounce shot has approximately 97 calories. Though gin is flavored with botanicals like juniper berries, these ingredients do not add a significant amount of sugar or calories. The main calorie contribution comes from the alcohol itself, making a gin and slimline tonic a low-calorie option.

Brandy

As a distilled spirit typically made from wine, brandy also has a similar calorie profile. A 1.5-ounce shot can contain around 70 to 100 calories, depending on the proof and type.

Liqueurs: A Higher Calorie Reality

Unlike distilled spirits, liqueurs are produced with a high amount of added sugar, resulting in a much higher calorie count per serving. A 1.5-ounce shot of a creamy coffee liqueur, for instance, can pack around 160 calories, while a mint liqueur can reach 186 calories for the same size serving. This highlights the importance of checking labels, as liqueurs are an exception to the low-carb, low-sugar rule of hard liquor.

The Calorie Impact of Mixers

Pure spirits offer a consistent and manageable calorie count, but the real variable for many drinkers is the mixer. Adding sugary sodas, fruit juices, or syrups can dramatically increase the overall caloric value of a drink. For example, a rum and regular cola can have significantly more calories than a rum and diet cola. Cocktails can easily contain hundreds of calories per glass due to multiple high-calorie ingredients.

Liquor Calorie Comparison Table


Liquor Type (80 Proof)	Serving Size (1.5 oz / 45ml)	Approx. Calories	Notes
Vodka	1.5 oz	96-100 kcal	Unflavored, straight. Higher proof increases calories.
Whiskey	1.5 oz	97-105 kcal	Varies slightly with brand and proof. Flavored types are higher.
Tequila	1.5 oz	96-98 kcal	Pure agave has 0g carbs/sugar. Aged tequilas can have slightly more.
Gin	1.5 oz	97 kcal	Flavored with botanicals, but calories from ethanol.
White Rum	1.5 oz	97-100 kcal	Dark and spiced rums have additional sugar and calories.
Liqueurs	1.5 oz	150-185+ kcal	Highly variable, depends on ingredients and added sugars.

Tips for Watching Your Calorie Intake

If you are mindful of your caloric intake, being strategic about how you consume liquor can make a big difference. One gram of alcohol is very calorie-dense, so reducing your alcohol consumption overall is the most effective method.

Here are some tips to help you manage your calorie consumption from alcohol:

Opt for diet mixers: Replacing regular soda or tonic with a diet alternative can save over 50 calories per serving.
Drink neat or on the rocks: Enjoying spirits straight or with ice is the lowest-calorie option, as you avoid any sugary mixers entirely.
Be wary of cocktails: Complex cocktails often contain multiple high-sugar ingredients, which can quickly add hundreds of calories to your drink.
Choose lower-proof spirits: While standard spirits are often 80-proof, some brands offer lower-ABV options that have fewer calories per shot.
Space out your drinks with water: Alternating alcoholic drinks with water can help you stay hydrated and reduce the total number of alcoholic beverages and calories consumed.

Conclusion

When asking how many calories are in a shot of each liquor, the answer for most hard spirits is surprisingly similar, hovering around 96 to 105 calories for a standard 1.5-ounce serving. The primary drivers of calorie variation are the spirit's alcohol proof and, more significantly, the addition of sugary mixers or the consumption of high-sugar liqueurs. By understanding the source of these empty calories and being strategic with your mixers, you can better manage your caloric intake while still enjoying your favorite beverages. For more information on calorie counts in alcoholic beverages, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus resource, which contains extensive nutritional data.

How to Calculate Liquor Calories

To calculate the calories in a serving of liquor, you can use a simple formula based on the alcohol by volume (ABV) and density. Since pure alcohol has about 7.1 calories per gram, you can approximate the calories by multiplying the shot's volume by the ABV, then by the density of ethanol (around 0.789 g/ml), and finally by the caloric value per gram. For most hard spirits, the proof provides a simpler shortcut: higher proof equals higher calories per shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Among standard 80-proof hard liquors, most, including vodka, gin, and tequila, have a similar low-calorie count of around 96-100 calories per 1.5-ounce shot. For the absolute lowest calorie content, focus on consuming unflavored, standard-proof varieties and avoid sweet mixers.

Yes, proof is a key determinant of a liquor's calorie count. Higher proof means a higher percentage of alcohol by volume, which directly translates to more calories per serving because all of a pure spirit's calories come from its ethanol content.

The calorie count in whiskey primarily depends on its proof. However, flavored whiskeys often contain added sugars and can have a higher caloric value than unflavored versions of the same proof. Ageing does not significantly impact the calorie count of pure whiskey.

Pure 100% agave tequila is often cited as a 'healthier' option because it contains no carbohydrates or sugar, similar to other pure spirits. Its calorie count is comparable to vodka and whiskey, so any 'health' benefit comes from the lack of added sugar, not a lower base calorie count.

Yes, calories from alcohol are widely regarded as empty calories. While they provide energy, they offer little to no nutritional value, lacking the essential vitamins and minerals found in food and other beverages.

To reduce calories, choose unflavored, standard-proof spirits and mix them with calorie-free options like soda water, diet tonic, or a splash of fresh lime juice instead of sugary mixers. Drinking spirits neat or on the rocks is also a low-calorie option.

Yes, liqueurs typically have a much higher calorie count than hard liquors because they are sweetened with a high concentration of sugar. This is a key difference to be aware of when counting calories from alcoholic beverages.