Is an Old Fashioned High in Carbs? A Complete Nutritional Breakdown

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, a standard Old Fashioned can contain between 7 and 17 grams of carbohydrates, depending heavily on the ingredients and preparation. This variable carb content raises the important question: is an Old Fashioned high in carbs, and what makes it so?

Quick Summary

This article explores the carbohydrate content of a traditional Old Fashioned, breaking down the impact of its core ingredients on the final carb count. It provides a detailed comparison with other cocktails and outlines how to make a classic low-carb alternative.

Key Points

Moderate Carbs: A standard Old Fashioned contains 7-17+ grams of carbohydrates, mainly from sugar and the maraschino cherry.
Whiskey is Zero Carb: The base spirit, bourbon or rye whiskey, is a pure distilled spirit and contains zero carbohydrates.
Customize for Low-Carb: An Old Fashioned can be made virtually carb-free by substituting the sugar with a zero-calorie sweetener.
Beware the Garnish: The maraschino cherry, often in a sugary syrup, adds several grams of unnecessary carbs. Opt for an orange peel instead.
Know Your Mixers: For low-carb options, stick to pure spirits and zero-carb mixers like club soda or sugar-free alternatives.
Taste Control: Using liquid sweeteners allows you to control the exact level of sweetness, tailoring the drink to your dietary needs and taste preferences.

Decoding the Old Fashioned's Carb Count

The perception of an Old Fashioned's carb level can be misleading. Many assume that because the primary ingredient is carb-free distilled whiskey, the final drink is low in carbohydrates. However, a traditional Old Fashioned includes sugar, and often a maraschino cherry, both of which contain significant amounts of sugar, and therefore, carbs. The way a cocktail is prepared—using a sugar cube, simple syrup, or a heavy-handed pour of a high-sugar cherry—dramatically influences its final carb total.

The Ingredients that Drive the Carb Count

Sugar Cube/Simple Syrup: The most direct source of carbohydrates. While a small sugar cube (roughly 1 teaspoon) adds about 4 grams of carbs, simple syrup is denser and can add more depending on the amount used. Some recipes call for a simple syrup made with a 1:1 or 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio, which is pure carbohydrate.
Garnish (Maraschino Cherry): A maraschino cherry, often used as a garnish, is preserved in a sweet syrup, making it a significant source of added sugars. Just one cherry can contribute several grams of carbohydrates, sometimes up to 8g, depending on the brand.
Whiskey (Bourbon or Rye): Pure distilled spirits like whiskey contain zero carbohydrates. The bourbon or rye base provides the flavor and alcohol content without contributing to the carb count.
Angostura Bitters: Bitters are used in such small amounts that their carb contribution is negligible.

Standard vs. Low-Carb Old Fashioned

The contrast between a traditional recipe and a modified low-carb version highlights where the carbohydrates are added. The key to creating a low-carb alternative is in the sugar and garnish substitutions.


Feature	Standard Old Fashioned	Low-Carb Old Fashioned	Difference
Sweetener	Sugar cube or simple syrup	Sugar-free sweetener (e.g., stevia)	Eliminates high-carb sugar source
Garnish	Maraschino cherry in syrup	Orange peel only, no cherry	Removes high-sugar cherry
Carb Source	Added sugar from syrup and cherry	Negligible carbs from bitters and orange peel	Substantial carb reduction
Carb Estimate	7-17+ grams	Under 1 gram	Significant reduction

How to Craft a Low-Carb Old Fashioned

Creating a low-carb version of this classic cocktail is surprisingly simple and retains the iconic flavor profile. The secret lies in making intelligent ingredient swaps that maintain the cocktail's balance and complexity without the added sugar.

Ingredients for a Low-Carb Old Fashioned:

2 oz Bourbon or Rye Whiskey (zero carbs)
2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters
Sugar-free sweetener to taste (liquid stevia or erythritol are common choices)
Ice
Garnish: A wide strip of orange peel

Instructions:

Add a few drops of your chosen sugar-free sweetener and the bitters to a mixing glass. The exact amount of sweetener will depend on your personal preference and the brand used.
Express the orange peel by squeezing it over the glass to release its oils, then drop the peel in.
Add the whiskey and fill the mixing glass with ice.
Stir the mixture gently with a bar spoon until well-chilled.
Strain into a rock glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a fresh orange twist. You can also lightly squeeze the new twist over the drink to add another layer of orange aroma.

The Bigger Picture: Cocktails and Carb-Conscious Lifestyles

For those managing carb intake due to dietary choices like keto, diabetes, or general wellness goals, understanding the sources of carbs in beverages is crucial. While the Old Fashioned can be modified, other cocktails require more extensive changes. For instance, drinks that rely heavily on fruit juices (like a Margarita) or sodas (like a Rum and Coke) will be much higher in carbs unless a sugar-free alternative is used. The zero-carb nature of pure spirits means that most modifications focus on the non-alcoholic additions.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line on the Old Fashioned

So, is an Old Fashioned high in carbs? A traditionally prepared Old Fashioned, with a sugar cube and a maraschino cherry, is moderately high in carbohydrates due to the added sugars. However, a modified version using a sugar-free sweetener and an orange peel garnish can be made with virtually zero carbs. The key takeaway is that the carb content is not inherent to the whiskey but rather a consequence of the sweetening ingredients. By making simple substitutions, cocktail lovers can enjoy the classic flavor of an Old Fashioned without the added sugars and carbohydrates.

Other Low-Carb Cocktail Ideas

To further explore your options, consider these alternatives:

Vodka Soda with Lime: A classic zero-carb cocktail.
Whiskey Highball: A mix of whiskey and club soda, with a twist of lemon, is a simple, refreshing, and low-carb choice.
Dry Martini: Made with gin or vodka and a very small amount of dry vermouth, a martini is another excellent low-carb option.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary source of carbs in a traditional Old Fashioned is the added sugar, which comes from either a muddled sugar cube or simple syrup, and the sugary maraschino cherry garnish.

No, pure distilled spirits like whiskey, vodka, gin, and tequila contain zero carbohydrates and are therefore carb-free.

Yes, you can have a keto-friendly Old Fashioned by replacing the sugar or simple syrup with a sugar-free alternative like stevia or erythritol and omitting the maraschino cherry.

The calories in an Old Fashioned vary but can range from 150 to over 200, with most of the calories coming from the alcohol and added sugar. A low-carb version will significantly reduce the calorie count.

Compared to highly sugary cocktails like margaritas or daiquiris made with sweet mixers, a classic Old Fashioned is often lower in carbs and sugar, but its healthfulness depends heavily on the preparation and substitutions.

Effective sugar substitutes for a low-carb Old Fashioned include liquid stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit sweetener. A few drops are typically enough to achieve the desired sweetness.

A traditional Old Fashioned has more carbs due to the added sugar and cherry, while a standard Whiskey Highball (whiskey and club soda) is a zero-carb cocktail, assuming no sugary mixer is used.