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Counting Carbs? Budgeting Calories?

by Proof Syrup |

Here’s the skinny on Proof cocktails that weigh in lighter on calories and carbs

By L. Eno

If you’re old enough to have had one of those “you seriously cannot eat like you’re 25 anymore” epiphanies, chances are you’ve also discovered that you can’t drink like you’re 25 anymore, either. 

Alcohol is loaded with calories, and while liquor has zero carbs, the liqueurs, mixers, juices, and other ingredients that transform spirits to cocktails have carbs aplenty. Calorie-dense and nutrient-free, alcohol can be an expensive habit, dietarily speaking.

In that spirit (ahem!), we pulled up the calculators on our phones and tallied the dietary impact of some of our favorite and most popular Proof cocktails.

The bad news: They’ve all got calories, y’all.

The good news: It’s definitely possible to have a Proof cocktail without blowing your daily budget. Following are calorie counts for some of our most popular recipes.

Under 160 Calories

Pecan Tea Punch

  • ½ oz Proof Pecan (35 calories, 9g carbs)
  • 1 ½ oz Vodka (96 calories)
  • 4 oz Black Tea (1 calorie)
  • Mint Leaves
  • Nutrition Info - 126 calories, 9g carbs

The Bee’s Knees

  • ½ oz Proof Honey (30 calories, 7g carbs)
  • 1 ½ oz Gin (97 calories)
  • ½ oz Lemon Juice (4 calories, 1g carbs)
  • Nutrition Info - 131 Calories, 8g carbs

Champagne Cocktail

  • ½ oz Proof Traditional (35 calories, 9g carbs)
  • 6 oz Champagne (120 calories, 5-7g carbs)
  • Garnish: Lemon Twist
  • 155 calories, 14-16g carbs
  • Nutrition Info - 160-180 Calories

The Perfect Old Fashioned

  • ½ oz Proof Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup (35 calories, 9g carbs)
  • 2 oz Bourbon, Rye, or Brandy (130-160 calories*)
  • Garnish: Orange Peel
  • Nutrition Info - 155 calories, 9g carbs

Moscow Mule

  • 1 oz Proof Ginger (25 calories, 7g carbs)
  • 1 oz Lime Juice (8 calories, 2.6g carbs)
  • 2 oz Vodka (128 calories)
  • 4 oz Club Soda (0 calories)
  • Nutrition Info - 161 calories, 9.6g carbs

Brown Derby

  • ½ oz Proof Honey Syrup (30 calories, 7g carbs)
  • 2 oz Bourbon (130-160 calories*)
  • 1 oz Grapefruit Juice (11 calories, 2g carbs
  • Nutrition Info - 171-201 calories, 9g carbs

Kentucky Mule

  • 1 oz Proof Ginger (25 calories, 7g carbs)
  • 1 oz Lime Juice (8 calories, 2.6g carbs)
  • 2 oz Bourbon (130-160 calories*)
  • 4 oz Club Soda (0 calories)
  • 173-203 calories, 9.6g carbs
  • Nutrition Info - 180-220 Calories

Grenada Daiquiri

  • 1 oz Proof Citrus Sour (25 calories, 7g carbs)
  • ½ oz Proof Pumpkin Spice (35 calories, 9g carbs)
  • 2 oz Aged Rum (130 calories)
  • Nutrition Info - 190 calories, 16g carbs

Proof’s Perfect Margarita

  • 1 oz Proof Citrus Sour (25 calories, 7g carbs)
  • 2 oz Tequila (138 calories)
  • ½ oz Cointreau (50 calories, 7g carbs)
  • Nutrition Info - 213 calories, 14g carbs

Proof Ham on Rye

  • ½ oz Proof Maple Bacon (35 calories, 9g carbs)
  • 2 oz Rye (130-160 calories*)
  • ¾ oz Your Favorite Amaro (55 calories)
  • Nutrition Info - 220 calories, 9g carbs

*Calorie counts for bourbon, rye, and other spirits in the whiskey family vary by brand and alcohol content (the higher the ABV, generally, the higher the calories). Thrillist published a list of popular brands with calorie counts, and you can also find information on some distilleries’ websites.