This guide covers the best low calorie shots and shooters, what to avoid, and how to navigate shot culture while watching your waistline.
Understanding Shot Calories
A standard 1.5 oz shot of 80 proof spirit contains approximately 97 calories with zero carbs. This is true for vodka, tequila, gin, rum, whiskey, and other unflavored spirits. The calories come entirely from alcohol.
The math changes dramatically when you add:
- Cream liqueurs: Add 50 to 150 calories
- Sugary chasers: Add 50 to 100+ calories
- Sweet liqueurs: Add 50 to 100 calories
- Multiple ingredients: Compound the problem
Best Low Calorie Shots
Tier 1: Straight Spirits (97 Calories)
The cleanest shot option is always a quality spirit served neat:
| Spirit | Calories | Carbs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodka | 97 | 0g | Cleanest taste |
| Tequila Blanco | 97 | 0g | Traditional with lime and salt |
| Whiskey | 97 | 0g | Sip rather than slam |
| Gin | 97 | 0g | Botanical notes shine |
| White Rum | 97 | 0g | Smooth, easy to shoot |
The Classic Tequila Shot
Calories: 100 to 105 | Carbs: 1g
The traditional tequila shot with lime and salt adds minimal calories while making the shot more enjoyable:
- 1.5 oz tequila: 97 calories
- Lime wedge: 3 to 5 calories
- Salt: 0 calories
This is one of the most iconic shots that also happens to be diet friendly.
Pickleback
Calories: 100 to 105 | Carbs: 0 to 1g
A shot of whiskey followed by a shot of pickle brine. The brine chaser has virtually no calories and provides electrolytes.
- Whiskey shot: 97 calories
- Pickle juice: 0 to 5 calories
The salty, tangy pickle juice cuts the alcohol burn and is surprisingly refreshing.
Chilled Vodka Shot
Calories: 97 | Carbs: 0g
High quality vodka served ice cold goes down smoothly. No chaser needed if the vodka is good and properly chilled.
Mezcal Shot
Calories: 97 | Carbs: 0g
Smoky mezcal with orange and sal de gusano (worm salt) is a traditional serving method that keeps calories minimal while providing an interesting flavor experience.
Moderate Calorie Shots (100 to 150 Calories)
Lemon Drop Shot
Calories: 110 to 140 | Carbs: 5 to 10g
Made properly with fresh lemon and minimal sugar, this can be reasonable:
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- Sugar rim or small amount of simple syrup
Lighter version: Use stevia instead of sugar rim
Kamikaze
Calories: 130 to 150 | Carbs: 8 to 12g
Vodka, triple sec, and lime juice. The triple sec adds sugar, but it is still more reasonable than many alternatives.
Fireball
Calories: 108 | Carbs: 11g
The cinnamon whiskey is lower proof (66 proof) and contains added sugar. Not ideal, but popular enough that you should know the numbers.
High Calorie Shots to Avoid
| Shot | Calories | Carbs | Why It’s Bad |
|---|---|---|---|
| B 52 | 200+ | 15g+ | Kahlua, Baileys, Grand Marnier |
| Buttery Nipple | 180+ | 18g+ | Butterscotch schnapps, Baileys |
| Washington Apple | 170+ | 20g+ | Crown Royal, sour apple, cranberry |
| Chocolate Cake | 150+ | 15g+ | Vanilla vodka, Frangelico, sugar |
| Jagermeister | 103 | 11g | High sugar content |
| Rumplemintz | 140 | 14g | Peppermint schnapps, high sugar |
| Jello Shot | 80 to 150 | 10 to 20g | Varies widely, all have gelatin and sugar |
The Worst Offenders
- Cream based shots: Anything with Baileys, RumChata, or cream liqueurs adds 100+ unnecessary calories
- Layered shots: Multiple liqueurs means multiple sugar sources
- Candy flavored shots: If it tastes like dessert, it has dessert calories
- Fruity shooters: Watermelon, apple, berry shots usually use sugary pucker type liqueurs
Bar Shot Ordering Guide
What to Order
- Tequila with lime and salt: Classic, low cal, available everywhere
- Chilled vodka: Ask for it from the freezer
- Whiskey neat: Sophisticated and calorie controlled
- Pickleback: Increasingly popular, surprisingly good
How to Order Lighter
- Request less simple syrup in made shots
- Ask for fresh lime instead of sour mix
- Specify that you want a straight spirit shot, not a flavored one
Red Flags
- Anything that requires layering
- Shots that come with whipped cream
- Multiple bright colors (multiple sweet liqueurs)
- Names referencing candy or desserts
Shot Round Strategy
When someone orders a round of shots for the group:
If You Are Ordering
- Tequila shots are universally acceptable and diet friendly
- Vodka shots work for most groups
- Whiskey shots for a more sophisticated crowd
If Someone Else Is Ordering
- One shot of whatever they order will not derail your diet
- If it is clearly a sugar bomb, you can gracefully decline
- Offer to buy the next round so you can choose something lighter
Declining Gracefully
- I am pacing myself tonight, but thank you
- I will take a rain check on this one
- Not my thing, but I appreciate the offer
Shots and Pacing
Shots deliver alcohol fast. Here is how to handle the pacing:
The One Shot Rule
For diet purposes, treat one shot as equivalent to one drink. Your body does not care that you consumed it in 3 seconds rather than 30 minutes.
Recovery Time
- After a shot, wait at least 45 minutes before another alcoholic drink
- Have water immediately after any shot
- Food helps slow absorption if you have eaten recently
Maximum Recommendations
- One shot per hour as a maximum pace
- Two shots total per evening keeps you in control
- Mixing shots with other drinks multiplies the effects
DIY Lower Calorie Shooters
For home parties, you can make shooters that taste good without the calorie load:
Skinny Lemon Drop
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- Stevia rim instead of sugar
- Calories: ~100
Spicy Tequila Shot
- 1.5 oz tequila
- Thin jalapeno slice
- Lime and salt
- Calories: ~100
Cucumber Vodka Shot
- 1.5 oz cucumber vodka (or muddle cucumber)
- Splash of lime
- Calories: ~100
Conclusion
Shots do not have to be diet disasters. Straight spirits like tequila, vodka, and whiskey are some of your lowest calorie options at around 97 calories each. The problems arise with cream liqueurs, sugary chasers, and multiple ingredient shooters that can double or triple the calorie count.
When in doubt, order tequila with lime and salt or chilled vodka. Skip the elaborate colored shots with dessert names. And remember that no matter how low calorie the shot is, multiple rounds add up fast.
Use our DrinkLeader database to look up specific shots and shooters before your next night out.
Calorie counts based on standard 1.5 oz shots. Bar pours may vary. Drink responsibly and pace yourself regardless of shot calories.
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