What is the lowest calorie alcohol?
A single spirit, at about 50 calories. Top it with water or a diet mixer, not regular tonic or cola. But no alcoholic drink is zero. Every unit hides the same number, whatever you pour.
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What is the lowest calorie alcohol?
A single 25ml measure of spirit, such as vodka, gin or rum, is about 50 calories. That’s the lowest of the common drinks. A standard glass of wine is up to 158, and a pint of 5% beer up to 222.
Which spirit? Drinkaware puts a single at around 50 to 60 calories, depending on the type. So pick the one you enjoy.
The mixer decides the rest. The NHS says mixers like cola or tonic add calories. A double gin and tonic can be around 150.
| Drink | Calories (kcal) |
|---|---|
| Single spirit, neat (25ml, 40%) | About 50 |
| Double spirit, neat (50ml, 40%) | 100 |
| Large measure of fortified wine, like port or sherry (75ml, 17.5%) | 102 |
| Double gin and tonic | Around 150 |
| Cream liqueur (50ml, 17%) | 153 |
| Bottle of alcopop (275ml, 4.5%) | 154 |
| Standard glass of wine (175ml, 12%) | Up to 158 |
| Pint of beer (5%) | Up to 222 |
| Large glass of wine (250ml, 12%) | 225 |
Sources: NHS; Alcohol Change UK; Drinkaware
Your move: pour a single, then top it with water, soda water or a diet mixer.
Is there a zero calorie alcohol?
No. Alcohol itself has 7 calories a gram, almost as many as fat. One unit holds 8 g of alcohol, so each unit brings 56 calories before any sugar.
That hidden number is 56. It’s why a strong drink can’t be a light one.
Sources: Alcohol Change UK; NHS units
So the biggest saving is fewer units, not a different drink. Alcohol Change UK suggests swapping a 13% wine for a 5.5% mid-strength one.
Alcohol-free drinks still have some sugar and carbs. Alcohol-free spirits must show nutrition information, unlike normal spirits. So check the label.
Low calorie cocktails and low sugar drinks
Sugar, cream and fruit juice add calories on top of the alcohol. And a cocktail can hold several measures of spirit, even if it doesn’t taste strong.
Six swaps that cut the calories
- Make a long drink: one shot of vodka or rum, diet lemonade, diet cola or water, and plenty of ice.
- Ask for a diet or sugar-free mixer, and say so clearly if a friend is buying.
- Skip cocktails made with sugar, cream or fruit juice.
- Add a splash of soda water to white wine, so the same units last longer.
- Measure drinks at home instead of pouring from the bottle.
- Have a glass of water after every alcoholic drink.
Sources: Diabetes UK; NHS; Alcohol Change UK
Watch the food too. Alcohol can make you hungrier, which can lead to overeating at meals and late at night.
Don’t skip meals to save calories for drinks. Alcohol Change UK advises against it, and the NHS says don’t drink on an empty stomach. For the rest of your week, see the best diet to lose weight.
What is the best alcohol for diabetics or low carb?
Diabetes UK says there’s no “best” alcoholic drink for people with diabetes. But some drinks carry fewer carbs than others.
| Drink | Diabetes UK says |
|---|---|
| Spirits | Fewer carbs. Use diet or sugar-free mixers. |
| Dry wine and Prosecco | Fewer carbs than beer or cider. |
| Beer, ale and cider | Contain carbs that raise blood sugar at first. |
| Low-sugar beer and cider | Avoid. Less sugar, but more alcohol. |
| Low-alcohol wine | Often more sugar than normal wine. |
| Alcohol-free drinks | Still have some added sugars and carbs. |
Source: Diabetes UK
Carbs aren’t the whole story. With diabetes, drinking can make a hypo, or low blood sugar, more likely. The risk is higher if you take insulin, or diabetes medicines such as gliclazide or repaglinide.
The risk can last up to 24 hours after drinking. It’s higher if you drink a lot or on an empty stomach.
So eat when you drink, and ask your diabetes team how to drink safely. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber. For meals, see the type 2 diabetes food list.
Which alcohol is healthiest?
None. The NHS calls drinking under 14 units a week low risk, not safe, because there’s no safe drinking level. The less you drink, the lower the risks.
If you drink, keep to 14 units a week or less, spread over 3 or more days. Even at 14 units, the alcohol alone is about 784 calories a week.
It adds up. Five pints of 5.2% lager a week come to 57,720 calories a year.
Pregnant, or could be? The NHS says the safest choice is not to drink at all.
Count your drinks with our alcohol units guide. See also how drinking affects your sleep and testosterone.
When to speak to a GP
Speak to a GP if:
- You want to cut down or stop and find it hard. A GP can point you to local alcohol support.
- You take insulin or diabetes tablets and aren’t sure how drinking affects your blood sugar. Ask your diabetes team.
- You get anxiety after waking, sweating and mild shakes, or feel sick, retch or vomit in the morning. If you’re dependent on alcohol, stopping overnight could be harmful. Get advice first, as you may need medicine.
- Call 999 for severe withdrawal: seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, severe shakes, or seizures or fits.
Worried about your drinking? Call Drinkline free on 0300 123 1110, weekdays 9am to 8pm and weekends 11am to 4pm.