Yes, But There's a Catch: Is bourbon less calories than beer?

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

A standard shot of 80-proof bourbon contains approximately 97 calories, while a regular 12 oz beer can have upwards of 150 calories. So, is bourbon less calories than beer? While a single serving of bourbon is lower in calories, the nutritional picture becomes more complex when considering carbs, serving size, and mixers.

Quick Summary

Bourbon typically has fewer calories and zero carbohydrates per serving than beer, but the overall intake depends heavily on quantity and mixers. The smaller serving size of liquor and the nutritional content of any additions must be considered for an accurate comparison.

Key Points

Serving Size Matters: A standard 1.5 oz shot of bourbon has fewer calories than a standard 12 oz beer, but total calorie intake depends on how many you drink.
Carbs are a Key Difference: Unmixed bourbon has zero carbs, while beer, even light beer, contains carbohydrates.
Mixers Increase Calories: Adding sugary mixers to bourbon can quickly add more calories than a standard beer contains.
Empty Calories: Both bourbon and beer contain empty calories, which means they offer no significant nutritional value.
Moderation is Essential: Regardless of the calorie count, excessive consumption of any alcohol can lead to weight gain and significant health risks.

The Calorie Breakdown: Bourbon vs. Beer

At a glance, the calorie count for a standard serving of bourbon is lower than a regular beer. A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof bourbon contains roughly 97 to 105 calories, which are derived entirely from the alcohol content. In contrast, a 12-ounce bottle or can of regular 5% ABV beer averages about 153 calories, while a light beer might contain around 103 calories. For craft beers with higher alcohol by volume (ABV), the calorie count can soar well above 200 per 12-ounce serving.

The most significant difference in pure, unmixed forms is that bourbon contains zero grams of carbohydrates and zero sugar. The distillation process removes these elements, leaving only the alcohol and the calories it provides. Beer, being fermented from grains like malted barley, retains carbohydrates and some residual sugars. For those on a low-carb or ketogenic diet, this makes bourbon a more suitable option, provided no sugary mixers are added.

The Impact of Serving Size and Mixers

The biggest factor distorting the straight calorie comparison is the difference in serving size. While one shot of bourbon has fewer calories than one beer, most people don't consume alcohol one serving at a time. The cumulative effect of multiple drinks can easily erase any perceived calorie-saving benefit. A person having two or three shots of bourbon, for example, will likely consume more total calories than someone having just one beer.

How Mixers Change the Equation

Another critical consideration is what you mix with your drink. A neat or on-the-rocks bourbon is low in calories. However, a bourbon cocktail can quickly become a high-calorie, high-sugar indulgence. Common mixers add substantial calories:

Regular Soda or Cola: Adds around 100 calories per 8 ounces.
Sweetened Juices: A glass of orange juice, for instance, is packed with sugar and calories.
High-Calorie Cocktails: An Old-Fashioned, while classic, contains added sugar, increasing its calorie count.

For a truly low-calorie drink, bourbon should be paired with zero-calorie mixers like soda water or served neat. The lower-calorie benefit is immediately compromised by high-sugar additions.

Comparison Table: Bourbon vs. Beer Nutrition


Nutritional Aspect	1.5 oz 80-Proof Bourbon	12 oz Regular Beer	12 oz Light Beer
Calories	Approx. 97-105	Approx. 153-200	Approx. 90-110
Carbohydrates	0g	Approx. 12-15g	Approx. 3-7g
Sugar	0g	Trace amounts to low levels	Trace amounts to low levels
Nutritional Value	None (empty calories)	Low	Low

Health Considerations Beyond Calories

Beyond the raw numbers, it's important to understand the broader health context. All calories from alcohol are considered "empty calories" because they provide energy without any beneficial nutrients. Furthermore, your body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol, which can interrupt fat-burning processes. This can lead to increased fat storage, particularly in the abdomen, contributing to the well-known "beer belly" phenomenon, though it is not exclusively caused by beer.

Excessive alcohol consumption of any kind, whether beer or liquor, carries significant health risks, including liver damage, heart issues, and increased risk of certain cancers. Moderation is key for both. A moderate intake is generally defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two for men, though these guidelines can vary.

How to Choose the Lower-Calorie Option

If your goal is to minimize calorie intake while enjoying a drink, here are some strategic choices:

Stick to the spirit: Choose a neat bourbon or on the rocks to avoid adding calories from mixers.
Use low-calorie mixers: For cocktails, opt for soda water, diet tonic, or a sugar-free alternative. A simple highball with a diet soda is a good option.
Consider low-carb beers: Light beers and specially formulated low-carb IPAs can offer a lower-calorie alternative to regular beer, though they still contain more carbs than bourbon.
Practice portion control: Be mindful of serving sizes and the number of drinks consumed. Even a low-calorie option can become calorific in excess.
Understand the trade-offs: Decide what is more important for your dietary goals—the zero-carb aspect of distilled spirits or the lower alcohol by volume and potentially lower calorie count of some light beers.

Conclusion

While a single serving of bourbon typically contains fewer calories than a standard regular beer, it is not a universally lower-calorie option. The total calorie count is heavily dependent on serving size and the use of mixers. Distilled spirits like bourbon are inherently carb-free, making them a better fit for low-carb diets, but any added sugars or mixers quickly change this dynamic. For anyone concerned with calorie intake, a neat bourbon is generally the lowest-calorie choice, but the most important factor for health and weight management remains moderation regardless of the beverage. For additional information on alcoholic beverage calories, consult resources like the table provided by MedlinePlus.

Frequently Asked Questions

For weight loss, bourbon can be a better choice if consumed neat or with a zero-calorie mixer, as it has fewer calories and zero carbs per serving compared to most beers. However, overall weight loss success is tied to total calorie intake and moderation, regardless of the drink.

Mixers can dramatically increase the calorie and sugar content of a bourbon drink. A simple shot of bourbon is low-calorie, but adding sugary soda, juice, or syrups can make the cocktail higher in calories than a beer.

A standard 12-ounce light beer has a comparable, and sometimes slightly higher, calorie count (around 103 calories) than a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof bourbon (around 97 calories). However, the light beer will contain some carbohydrates, unlike the bourbon.

Beer typically has more calories than a single shot of bourbon because it contains carbohydrates from the fermented grains, in addition to the calories from the alcohol itself. Bourbon, being a distilled spirit, has had these carbohydrates removed.

Yes, pure distilled spirits like bourbon are a good option for a keto diet because they contain zero carbohydrates. However, it is crucial to avoid sugary mixers and drink in moderation to maintain ketosis.

Excessive consumption of any type of alcohol can contribute to weight gain, including fat storage in the abdomen, commonly known as a 'beer belly.' This is due to the empty calories in alcohol and how the body prioritizes metabolizing it over fat.

Bourbon contains zero grams of sugar. Beer, depending on the type, can contain trace amounts of sugar leftover from the fermentation process. Some light beers are brewed to have very little sugar, but sweeter styles will have more.