This guide covers the best low calorie bourbon drinks, from simple highballs to modified classics. You will learn which bourbon cocktails fit your diet and which ones to avoid.
Why Bourbon Works for Dieters
Bourbon has several advantages for calorie conscious drinkers:
- Zero carbs: Like all distilled spirits
- Sipping quality: Good bourbon can be enjoyed neat, no mixers needed
- Bold flavor: The vanilla, caramel, and oak notes mean you need less mixer
- Cultural acceptance: Nobody questions bourbon neat or with one ice cube
- Variety: Works in simple highballs and complex cocktails
Best Low Calorie Bourbon Drinks
1. Bourbon Neat or On the Rocks
Calories: 97 | Carbs: 0g
The simplest and most calorie efficient option. Quality bourbon is meant to be sipped, and doing so keeps calories at their absolute minimum.
Tasting notes to look for: Vanilla, caramel, oak, slight sweetness, warm finish
Best for sipping: Buffalo Trace, Four Roses Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark
2. Bourbon and Diet Cola
Calories: 97 | Carbs: 0g
The diet version of a classic. Bourbon and Coke with diet cola tastes nearly identical to the original while eliminating all mixer calories.
Recipe:
- 2 oz bourbon
- Diet cola to top
- Lime wedge optional
Tip: Coke Zero or Pepsi Zero taste closer to regular cola than traditional diet versions.
3. Bourbon and Diet Ginger Ale
Calories: 97 | Carbs: 0g
Ginger complements bourbon’s spicy notes beautifully. Diet ginger ale maintains this pairing without the sugar.
Recipe:
- 2 oz bourbon
- Diet ginger ale to top
- Lemon wedge
4. Bourbon and Water
Calories: 97 | Carbs: 0g
Traditional and respectable. A splash of water actually opens up bourbon’s flavors. This is how distillers taste their own product.
Recipe:
- 2 oz bourbon
- Splash of water (room temperature or chilled)
5. Skinny Old Fashioned
Calories: 105 to 130 | Carbs: 0 to 3g
The classic Old Fashioned uses a sugar cube or simple syrup. This version uses alternative sweeteners or minimal sugar.
Recipe:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 2 to 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 3 to 4 drops liquid stevia (or 1/4 tsp simple syrup for 15 cal version)
- Orange peel expressed over drink
- Luxardo cherry optional
Tip: The bitters provide much of the complexity; you need less sweetener than traditional recipes suggest.
6. Kentucky Mule
Calories: 110 | Carbs: 3g
Bourbon in a Moscow Mule format. Diet ginger beer keeps it light while delivering that signature spicy kick.
Recipe:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz diet ginger beer
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- Lime wheel garnish
- Serve in copper mug
7. Bourbon Sour (Light Version)
Calories: 120 to 140 | Carbs: 3 to 6g
Traditional bourbon sours use an ounce of simple syrup. This version uses fresh citrus and minimal sweetener.
Recipe:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 oz simple syrup (or 4 drops stevia)
- Optional: egg white for texture (adds ~17 calories)
- Cherry and orange garnish
8. Mint Julep (Light Version)
Calories: 115 to 140 | Carbs: 2 to 8g
The Kentucky Derby classic traditionally packs serious sugar. This lighter version captures the mint and bourbon magic with less sweetener.
Recipe:
- 2.5 oz bourbon
- 8 to 10 mint leaves (muddled)
- 0.25 oz simple syrup (or 4 drops stevia)
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig garnish
9. Boulevardier (Light Version)
Calories: 170 to 200 | Carbs: 8 to 12g
A bourbon Negroni variant. Not the lowest calorie option, but can be lightened by adjusting proportions.
Recipe:
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 0.75 oz Campari
- 0.75 oz sweet vermouth
- Orange twist
Tip: The Campari and vermouth add calories but also add complexity that makes this a sipping drink.
Bourbon Cocktails to Avoid
| Cocktail | Calories | Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Old Fashioned | 180+ | Full sugar cube or 1 oz simple syrup |
| Standard Whiskey Sour | 200+ | Heavy simple syrup |
| Bourbon and Regular Cola | 200+ | Sugar from cola |
| Hot Toddy (standard) | 200+ | Honey adds significant calories |
| John Collins | 230+ | Simple syrup and sugar |
| Lynchburg Lemonade | 250+ | Triple sec and sweet sour |
Choosing the Right Bourbon
All bourbons have identical calorie profiles (97 per 1.5 oz), so selection is about taste:
For Mixing
Use mid range bourbon. No need to waste premium bottles in mixed drinks.
- Buffalo Trace: Excellent quality to price ratio
- Evan Williams: Budget friendly, mixes well
- Wild Turkey 101: Higher proof stands up to mixers
- Four Roses Yellow Label: Smooth and versatile
For Sipping
Invest in quality for neat pours and simple preparations:
- Woodford Reserve: Balanced and approachable
- Four Roses Single Barrel: Complex and smooth
- Maker’s Mark: Wheated bourbon, soft and sweet
- Eagle Rare: If you can find it, excellent value
Ordering Bourbon at Bars
Safe Orders
- Bourbon neat: Specify the brand you want
- Bourbon and diet cola: Available everywhere
- Bourbon on the rocks: Simple and classic
- Old Fashioned, light on sugar: Ask for minimal simple syrup
Questions to Ask
- Can you make the Old Fashioned with less sugar?
- Do you have diet ginger ale for a bourbon highball?
- Can I get fresh lemon in the whiskey sour instead of mix?
Conclusion
Bourbon is inherently diet friendly at 97 calories and zero carbs. The key is avoiding sugar heavy mixers and traditional recipes that load up on simple syrup. Diet cola, diet ginger ale, water, and minimal sweetener versions of classics let you enjoy bourbon’s rich flavors without excessive calories.
When in doubt, order bourbon neat or on the rocks. You will look sophisticated, taste quality whiskey, and consume exactly 97 calories.
Use our DrinkLeader database to look up specific bourbon cocktails and find more low calorie options.
Nutritional values based on standard recipes. Adjust sweeteners and portions to fit your specific dietary needs. Drink responsibly.
]]>