How many sugars are in a shot of bourbon?

November 13, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), a standard 1.5-ounce serving of 80-proof bourbon contains zero grams of sugar. This fact surprises many, especially because bourbon is often perceived as a sweet spirit due to its flavor profile.

Quick Summary

Pure, unflavored bourbon contains no sugar because the distillation process removes all carbohydrates, including sugar, from the fermented mash. While the sweetness is a flavor characteristic derived from the corn mash and charred oak barrels, the final distilled product is sugar-free. Added sugars are only present in flavored versions or cocktails.

Key Points

Zero Sugar: A standard, unflavored shot of bourbon contains zero grams of sugar due to the distillation process.
Distillation Removes Sugars: During production, yeast converts all fermentable sugars into alcohol, and the distillation process separates the pure alcohol from any remaining solids.
Flavor is from Aging: The sweet notes of caramel, vanilla, and toffee in bourbon come from the charred oak barrels during aging, not from added sugar.
Mixers Add Sugar: While pure bourbon is sugar-free, cocktails made with it, like an Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour, will contain added sugars from syrups or other mixers.
Check Flavored Varieties: Flavored whiskeys (e.g., honey or fruit) have sugar added after distillation and are not sugar-free.

The Surprising Lack of Sugar in Pure Bourbon

When people ask how many sugars are in a shot of bourbon, the answer often surprises them. The simple fact is that a standard, unflavored shot of bourbon contains zero grams of sugar. This nutritional reality is a direct result of the distillation process, a critical step in producing this popular spirit. While bourbon's rich, caramel, and vanilla notes suggest a high sugar content, these flavors are derived from other sources, not from added sweeteners. The key takeaway for anyone monitoring their sugar intake, including those on a keto diet, is that pure bourbon is a sugar-free, zero-carb option.

The Bourbon-Making Process Explained

To fully understand why bourbon is sugar-free, it is essential to look at its creation process, which involves fermentation, distillation, and aging.

Mashing: The process begins with a mash bill, which for bourbon must contain at least 51% corn. This grain mixture is cooked with water to convert the starches into fermentable sugars.
Fermentation: Next, yeast is introduced to the sweet mash. The yeast's primary function is to consume all the sugars, converting them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process continues until virtually all the sugar has been consumed by the yeast. The resulting liquid, known as "distiller's beer," is the base for distillation.
Distillation: The distiller's beer is then heated in a still. Because alcohol has a lower boiling point than water and residual solids, it vaporizes first. The alcohol vapor rises, is collected, and cooled back into a liquid form. The key here is that the sugar molecules are non-volatile and are left behind during this separation process.
Aging: The clear, distilled spirit is then aged in new, charred oak barrels. This is where much of the bourbon's characteristic flavor comes from. The charred wood caramelizes its own natural wood sugars, and the spirit extracts these complex flavor compounds—not simple sugars—as it ages.

Where the Sweetness Comes From

So if there is no sugar, why does bourbon taste sweet? The sweetness is an illusion created by a combination of factors:

Corn Mash: The high corn content in the mash bill provides a naturally sweet base flavor.
Charred Barrels: The charring process caramelizes the natural wood sugars in the oak, releasing flavor notes of vanilla, caramel, and toffee, which are absorbed by the bourbon during aging.
Barrel Age: Longer aging can lead to more pronounced sweet and complex flavors from the barrel, even without adding any sugar.

A Comparison: Bourbon vs. Sweetened Beverages

To highlight the difference, consider how much sugar is in a shot of bourbon compared to other common alcoholic beverages. This table shows the significant contrast, with bourbon having a clear advantage for those watching their sugar intake.


Beverage	Serving Size	Approximate Sugar Content	Notes
Pure Bourbon	1.5 oz (45ml) shot	0 grams	No sugar or carbs, only calories from alcohol.
Sweet White Wine	5 oz (150ml) glass	3–10 grams	Can vary significantly depending on the style.
Mojito	1 serving	15–25 grams	High sugar content due to added simple syrup.
Flavored Whiskey	1.5 oz (45ml) shot	3–10 grams	Sugar is added after distillation for flavor.
Regular Beer	12 oz (355ml) can	0–1 gram	Very low residual sugar after fermentation.

The Caveat: When Bourbon Does Have Sugar

There are two main scenarios where your bourbon drink will contain sugar:

Flavored Bourbons/Whiskeys: Products explicitly marketed as flavored, such as honey or maple-flavored whiskeys, have sugars added after the distillation process. Always check the label on these products.
Cocktails: When you mix bourbon into a cocktail, the sugar content of the final drink depends entirely on the mixers. An Old Fashioned, for example, is typically made with a sugar cube, while a whiskey sour contains sugar syrup. Drinking bourbon neat or on the rocks is the only way to guarantee a sugar-free experience.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to how many sugars are in a shot of bourbon is straightforward: none. The perception of sweetness is a sophisticated result of the corn-based mash and the interaction with a charred oak barrel during aging, not from added sugar. For those seeking a sugar-free distilled spirit, pure bourbon is an excellent choice, provided it is consumed without sugary mixers. Understanding the nuances of the distillation process helps demystify its nutritional profile and allows for more informed beverage choices. For further reading on the complex chemistry involved in creating bourbon, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) offers comprehensive insights into the distillation and aging process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pure, unflavored bourbon is sugar-free. However, flavored bourbons or whiskey-based liqueurs have sugar added after the distillation process, so they do contain sugar.

The sweet flavors come from the corn-heavy mash bill and the aging process in charred oak barrels. The heat caramelizes the wood's natural sugars, releasing compounds that impart notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey into the bourbon, creating the illusion of sweetness without adding sugar.

Yes, pure bourbon is an excellent choice for a keto diet because it contains zero carbohydrates and zero sugar. The calories come solely from the alcohol. However, mixers and flavored varieties should be avoided.

While it contains no sugar, a standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof bourbon has approximately 97 calories. The calories come entirely from the alcohol itself.

Straight bourbon is a natural, unflavored product. Flavored whiskeys, on the other hand, are spirits with sugars and flavorings added post-distillation. Always read the label to check for added sweeteners.

No, the proof of bourbon does not affect its sugar content. Since all sugars are removed during distillation, higher-proof bourbons simply contain more alcohol and, therefore, more calories, but remain sugar-free.

The safest way is to drink bourbon neat (straight), on the rocks (with ice), or with a splash of water. All of these methods allow you to enjoy the spirit without introducing any extra sugar.