Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 86 proof

About Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 86 proof

This entry covers plain distilled spirits — gin, rum, vodka and whiskey — at 86 proof, which means 43% alcohol by volume. Proof is simply twice the alcohol percentage, an old measure that has stuck around; spirits are commonly sold anywhere from 80 proof (40%) up to 100 proof (50%). Distilling concentrates the alcohol far above what fermentation alone produces in beer or wine.

Per 100 grams these spirits provide about 250 calories and roughly 36 grams of alcohol, with essentially no carbohydrate, sugar, fat or protein — the calories are almost purely alcohol. Nobody drinks 100 grams straight, though: a standard 1.5-ounce shot (about 42 grams) comes to around 105 calories and 15 grams of alcohol, which is one standard drink.

Because straight spirits carry no sugar, they are sometimes called a "lower-carb" choice, but that is only half the picture — the sugar and most of the extra calories in a cocktail come from the mixers, syrups and juices poured in alongside. The spirit itself is concentrated alcohol, so the usual advice on moderation applies, and higher proof means more alcohol in the same small pour.

Nutrition data from USDA FoodData Central & FooDB. Values are per 100 g, edible portion.