How Many Calories in a 2 oz Shot of Gin? Keto Diet Alcohol Guide

Counting Calories in Gin

When following a diet like keto, it's important to keep track of calories from all sources, including alcoholic beverages like gin. While gin does not contain carbohydrates, it's still a significant source of calories that need to be accounted for.

So how many calories are actually in 2 oz (a typical gin shot) of gin? Let's take a closer look.

Calories in Gin

All types of distilled spirits like gin, vodka, rum, and whiskey contain roughly the same number of calories. There are around 100 calories in 1.5 oz of 40% alcohol spirits like gin.

This means a typical 2 oz pour of gin contains about 130 calories. This is quite significant, especially if you are having more than one drink.

Factors That Affect Gin Calories

While most gin has around 130 calories per 2 oz pour, the exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on:

• Proof - Higher proof gin with more alcohol will have slightly more calories. A 100 proof gin may have closer to 140 calories per 2 oz.
• Mixers - If you mix gin with sugary juices, sodas, or tonic water, the calorie count goes up significantly.
• Serving size - A larger 3-4 oz gin and tonic drink may have 180-250 calories.

Comparing Gin Calories to Other Alcohol

At around 130 calories per typical serving, gin has significantly fewer calories than drinks like beer, wine, and sugary cocktails.

For comparison:

• 12 oz beer = 150 calories
• 5 oz wine = 120 calories
• 1.5 oz rum and cola = 200 calories

So gin is one of the lowest calorie options if you want to enjoy an alcoholic drink without derailing your diet. Just be careful of mixers that can add more sugar and calories.

Keto Diet Guidelines for Alcoholic Drinks

The keto diet emphasizes high fat, low carb eating to get your body into ketosis for fat burning. How does alcohol fit into this plan?

While most hard liquors like gin, vodka, tequila, and whiskey are low in carbs, alcohol does have some effects on ketosis. Here are some guidelines for drinking on keto:

Limit Alcohol Intake

First, it's best to limit overall alcohol intake to occasional or moderate amounts. Heavy, frequent drinking can prevent you from entering ketosis.

For women, it's best to stick to 1 drink per day and no more than 2-3 per week. Men can aim for 1-2 drinks daily and no more than 4 per week.

Avoid Sugary Mixers and Beers

Also avoid beer, wine coolers, and mixers like juices, regular sodas, and tonic water as they can contain lots of carbs and sugar. Stick to low carb mixers like soda water, diet soda, or small amounts of low sugar tonic.

Be Mindful of Calories

While hard alcohol is low carb, it's still calorie dense at around 100 calories per shot. So be mindful of extra calories from alcohol which can stall weight loss.

Stay Hydrated

Alcohol is dehydrating, so be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after drinking to stay hydrated. This can help minimize effects on ketosis.

Best Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Drinks

Wondering what types of alcoholic drinks best align with a ketogenic diet? Here are some of the top low carb options:

Dry Wines

Dry red and white wines are lower in sugar and carbs than sweet varieties. A 5 oz glass of dry wine has around 5 g carbs. Limit to 1 glass for women and 2 for men.

Sparkling Wines

Dry sparkling wines like brut champagne, prosecco, and dry cava contain minimal carbs, around 1-2 g per glass. Limit to 4 oz serving.

Distilled Spirits

Whiskey, gin, vodka, tequila, and rum contain 0 g carbs and can be paired with low carb mixers. Limit to 1-2 oz serving.

Low Carb Beer

Light beers and low carb beer options can fit into keto diet in moderation. Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite are popular choices. Limit to 1 12 oz serving.

Bloody Mary or Vodka Soda

Bloody mary mixes and soda water make excellent zero carb mixers for spirits like vodka. Use small amounts of juice for flavor.

Worst Keto Alcohol Choices

On the flip side, these alcoholic drinks are highest in carbs and sugar and do not align well with the ketogenic diet:

Beers and Ales

Most regular beers are too high in carbs for keto at 10-30 g per bottle. Even light beer should be limited.

Sweet Wines

Dessert wines, port wines, and sweet varieties like moscato contain up to 10 g carbs from sugar per glass.

Mixed Drinks and Cocktails

Margaritas, daiquiris, pia coladas, and other mixed drinks can contain lots of sugar from fruit juices, syrups, and other high carb mixers.

Sweet Liqueurs

Cordials like Bailey's Irish cream, Kahlua, and flavored schnapps tend to be very high in sugar. Best avoided on keto.

Spiked Seltzers

While tasty, spiked seltzers like White Claw contain 2-5 g carbs per can from added sugars.

Energy Drinks with Vodka

Pre-mixed energy drink cocktails add up carbs fast. A Red Bull vodka has 30 g carbs per can.

Keto Alcohol Rules of Thumb

Keeping keto diet guidelines in mind, here are some useful rules of thumb when choosing alcohol:

• Hard liquor is lowest in carbs - opt for whiskey, gin, vodka, etc.
• Dry is better than sweet for wine - choose brut, dry reds and whites.
• Skip the sugary mixers and juices - use soda water, diet soda instead.
• Light beer over regular - Michelob Ultra has 2.6 g carbs vs 10 g+ for regular.
• Limit to 1-2 servings max per day - stick to keto alcohol guidelines.

Low Carb Gin Drink Ideas

Gin is a great low carb alcohol choice for the ketogenic diet. Here are some ideas for keto-friendly gin cocktails:

Gin and Soda

This simple highball mix of gin with soda water, lime, and mint is refreshing and low carb. Use 2 oz gin and fill with soda.

Gin and Diet Tonic

For a zero carb gin and tonic, mix your gin with diet tonic water and a squeeze of lime instead of regular tonic water.

Martini

A classic dry gin or vodka martini mixed with dry vermouth is a solid keto choice. Garnish with olives.

Tom Collins

Collins mixes like a Tom Collins made with gin, lemon juice, and soda water contain little to no carbs.

Negroni

This strong, bitter Italian cocktail is equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. The small amount of vermouth keeps carbs minimal.

Keto Diet Vodka Drink Options

Vodka contains the same calories and carbs as gin, so it can easily be subbed into these low carb cocktail ideas:

• Vodka sodas
• Vodka and diet tonic
• Bloody Mary's
• Moscow Mule with diet ginger beer
• Vodka martini

Other Tips for Alcohol on a Keto Diet

Aside from drink choice, here are some other tips for drinking alcohol without getting knocked out of ketosis:

• Drink plenty of water - stay hydrated before, during, and after.
• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach - eat low carb snacks as you drink.
• Opt for lower alcohol drinks - dilute cocktails with soda water.
• Limit drinking to 2-3 times a week max.
• Test ketones the next morning - ensure you're still in ketosis.

The Bottom Line

Gin, vodka, tequila and other zero carb spirits can fit into a keto diet when consumed in moderation. Just be mindful of calories and avoid high carb mixers, beers, and sweet wines.

Use these keto alcohol tips and suggested low carb drink recipes to enjoy an occasional drink without kicking yourself out of ketosis.

At around 130 calories per 2 oz serving, gin is one of the best options for occasional low carb drinks. Just track those calories and carbs so you can still meet your keto macros and health goals.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.