Quick Answer
Yes, peanut butter whiskey does contain sugar. Most peanut butter whiskeys are made by combining whiskey with flavors like peanut butter and often sugar to create a sweet, peanut butter-flavored liqueur. The amount of sugar will vary by brand, but expect peanut butter whiskeys to have a noticeable sweetness from added sugars.
Ingredients in Peanut Butter Whiskey
Peanut butter whiskey gets its flavor primarily from two ingredients: whiskey and peanut butter. Here are the main ingredients found in popular peanut butter whiskeys:
Whiskey
The whiskey provides the alcoholic base of the product. Many peanut butter whiskeys use a bourbon whiskey, but some use other styles like Tennessee whiskey or a neutral spirit. The type of whiskey can impact the flavor. Bourbon, for example, brings vanilla and caramel notes.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is responsible for the identifiable peanutty, nutty taste. Standard peanut butter contains peanuts and often extra oil or sugar. When used in whiskey, the oils and sugars in peanut butter complement the whiskey.
Sugar
Most peanut butter whiskeys contain added sugar to enhance the sweetness. The sugar usually comes in the form of high fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, or plain sugar. The sugar balances out the fire of the whiskey and makes the peanut butter flavor pop.
Other Flavors
Some peanut butter whiskeys incorporate complementary flavors like cocoa, chocolate, caramel, honey, and vanilla. These added flavors enhance the dessert-like quality of the spirit.
Nutritional Information and Sugar Content
Here is the nutrition information for some popular peanut butter whiskey brands:
Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
– Serving size: 1.5 fl oz
– Calories: 153
– Carbs: 12g
– Sugar: 10g
Skrewball contains 10g of sugar per serving, which comes mostly from added sugars like corn syrup.
Howler Head Peanut Butter Whiskey
– Serving size: 1.5 fl oz
– Calories: 150
– Carbs: 15g
– Sugar: 11g
With 11g of sugar per serving, Howler Head also gets most of its sweetness from added sugars.
Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey
– Serving size: 1.5 fl oz
– Calories: 130
– Carbs: 7g
– Sugar: 7g
Screwball has a bit less sugar due to using less added sweeteners. But at 7g of sugar per serving, it still gets some sweetness from sugar.
Reasons for Added Sugar
While whiskey itself contains little inherent sugar, peanut butter whiskey producers add sugar for a few reasons:
Provides Sweetness
The main role of added sugar is to give peanut butter whiskey a noticeable sweetness. Sugar makes the whiskey taste less harsh and complements the peanut butter. The sweet quality is part of the appeal of flavored whiskeys.
Enhances Flavor
Sugar does more than just make the whiskey taste sweet. The sugar enhances the peanut butter and whiskey flavors. It helps the peanut butter taste stand out from the whiskey base. Sugar also draws out flavors like vanilla and caramel.
Improves Mouthfeel
The sugars give peanut butter whiskey a thicker, smoother, more lush mouthfeel. This improves the drinking experience and makes the whiskey feel less alcohol-forward.
Aids Mixing
Peanut butter whiskey is designed to be consumed on its own or used in cocktails. The added sugars make it mix better in drinks like the PB&J cocktail. Sugar helps it blend smoothly with milk, juices, and soda.
How Peanut Butter Whiskey is Made
Here is an overview of how peanut butter whiskey is made:
Start with a Whiskey Base
Producers start by selecting a whiskey. This provides the alcoholic foundation. Bourbon is most common, but some use a neutral spirit or other whiskeys like Tennessee or rye whiskey.
Infuse with Peanut Butter
The whiskey is then infused with peanut butter to impart the flavor and aroma. Peanut butter is usually mixed directly into the whiskey. The oils and sugars from the peanut butter help it blend into the whiskey.
Add Sugar
Once peanut butter is incorporated, sugar is added. This comes in the form of white sugar, brown sugar, honey, or corn syrup. The producer determines the exact amounts of sugar based on the desired sweetness and mouthfeel.
Blend and Bottle
Other flavorings like vanilla or chocolate may be added at this point too. The whiskey mixture is then blended until smooth and the flavors marry. Finally, it’s bottled and ready for sale.
How Sweet Different Styles Are
Not all peanut butter whiskeys have the exact same sugar content and level of sweetness. Here is how sweetness compares across styles:
Flavored Whiskey
Many peanut butter whiskeys are classified as flavored whiskies. They tend to be lower in sugar than liqueurs. Added sugar makes flavored whiskeys mildly sweet.
Examples: Howler Head, Screwball
Whiskey Liqueur
Some brands are labeled as whiskey liqueurs. Liqueurs have more added sweetener and taste noticeably sweeter. Think of the sweetness of brands like Bailey’s Irish cream.
Examples: Skrewball
Whiskey Cream Liqueur
Cream liqueurs like RumChata contain dairy ingredients like cream or milk. The creaminess adds to the sweet taste and texture. Peanut butter cream liqueurs will be the sweetest.
Examples: Peanut Butter RumChata
So liqueur styles will generally taste sweeter than flavored whiskies. Look at the sugar content on the label to get an idea of sweetness. Higher sugar equals more sweetness.
Tips for Reducing Sugar
Peanut butter whiskey is a sweet liquor, but you can try these tips to reduce the sugar content:
Dilute with Water
Adding a splash of water dilutes the sugar a bit. It also dilutes the alcohol, so it’s less intense.
Mix with Unsweetened Ingredients
Mix peanut butter whiskey with unsweetened mixers like club soda, unsweetened almond milk, or cold brew coffee. The mixins add flavor without extra sugars.
Use Sugar-Free Mixers
Combine peanut butter whiskey with sugar-free cranberry juice, diet ginger ale, unsweetened iced tea, or other diet mixers. These won’t add any additional sugars.
Go Light on Other Sugars
If making a cocktail, go easy on ingredients with natural sugars like fruit juice or flavored syrups. Stick to small amounts to keep the total sugar lower.
Use a Natural Peanut Butter
You can make homemade peanut butter whiskey with natural peanut butter. Look for unsweetened peanut butter without added oils or sugars. Then control the sugar you add.
Popular Low Sugar Peanut Butter Whiskey Drinks
You can make tasty peanut butter whiskey drinks without spiking the sugar. Try these low sugar cocktail ideas:
Peanut Butter Whiskey and Diet Ginger Ale
– 2 oz peanut butter whiskey
– 4-6 oz diet ginger ale
Peanut Butter Whiskey Paloma
– 1.5 oz peanut butter whiskey
– 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
– 1 oz club soda
– Lime wedge for garnish
Skinny Peanut Butter Cup
– 1.5 oz peanut butter whiskey
– 4 oz cold brew coffee
– 1 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
PB and Tea
– 2 oz peanut butter whiskey
– 5 oz unsweetened iced tea
– Lemon wedge
Peanut Butter Fizz
– 2 oz peanut butter whiskey
– 2-3 oz tonic water
– Garnish with orange slice
So you can still enjoy the peanut butter flavor with reduced sugar by mixing smartly. The above drinks all minimize extra sugars.
Low Sugar Peanut Butter Whiskey Brands
Some peanut butter whiskey brands have less sugar than others:
Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey
With just 7g of sugar per serving, Screwball contains about 30% less sugar than other popular brands. It uses less added sweetener.
Howler Head
While not as low in sugar as Screwball, Howler Head does have slightly less sugar than comparable liqueurs at 11g per serving. It makes it a little less sweet.
Drinkworks Peanut Butter Whiskey
This newer peanut butter whiskey has just 2g of carbs and sugar per serving. However, it’s difficult to find outside their cocktail maker appliance.
Rebel Whiskey Co. Peanut Butter Whiskey
Rebel also produces a peanut butter whiskey with less sugar at 9g per serving. It uses natural flavors and a whey vodka base.
Check the nutrition labels and look for products listing lower grams of sugar per serving. And as mentioned above, you can always add unsweetened mixers to further reduce the sugar.
Making Peanut Butter Whiskey at Home
You can experiment with making peanut butter whiskey at home with just a few ingredients:
Ingredients
– 1 cup whiskey (bourbon, Scotch, etc)
– 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
– 2 tbsp brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup (to taste)
– Pinch salt
Instructions
1. Combine peanut butter, sugar, salt, and 1/4 cup whiskey in a jar. Whisk vigorously until fully blended and smooth.
2. Add remaining 3/4 cup whiskey and whisk again to combine.
3. Transfer mixture to an airtight container and shake well. Let it infuse for 2-3 days, shaking occasionally each day.
4. Once infused, pour through a fine mesh strainer. Discard solids.
5. Transfer strained whiskey to a bottle. Store and serve chilled.
The benefit of DIY peanut butter whiskey is controlling the sugar amount. Use natural peanut butter and sweeten just to your liking.
Is Peanut Butter Whiskey Gluten-Free?
Most peanut butter whiskeys are gluten-free. Here’s what to know:
– Whiskey is naturally gluten-free. The whiskey base contains no gluten.
– Pure peanut butter is gluten-free. Look for brands that contain just peanuts and salt.
– Added sugars are gluten-free. These include cane sugar, corn syrup, agave, etc.
– Potential gluten sources include added flavors, thickeners, and colors. Check the label.
So peanut butter whiskey avoids most common sources of gluten. Distillers also typically label gluten-free products. But check for any risky ingredients if you have celiac disease or an allergy.
Carbs in Peanut Butter Whiskey
The carb content in peanut butter whiskey comes from added sweeteners. Here are approximate carb amounts:
– Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey: 12g carbs per serving
– Howler Head Peanut Butter Whiskey: 15g carbs per serving
– Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey: 7g carbs per serving
For comparison, straight whiskey has 0g carbs. Carbs impact blood sugar levels, so limiting carbs reduces the glycemic effect of the liqueur.
Calories in Peanut Butter Whiskey
Peanut butter whiskey contains around 130 to 160 calories per serving. Whiskey itself is around 100 calories per serving. So the added peanut butter and sweeteners increase the calorie count.
Here are the calories for 1.5oz of popular brands:
– Skrewball: 153 calories
– Howler Head: 150 calories
– Screwball: 130 calories
The calories come from the alcohol itself and the carb-containing ingredients. Keep portion sizes in moderation to limit excess calories. Enjoying over ice helps stretch out the serving.
Conclusion
In summary, peanut butter whiskey does contain added sugars. Brands add sugar to enhance sweetness, flavor, and texture. Look for products made with less sugar, or add unsweetened mixers to reduce the sugar content. Sugar amounts will be listed on the nutritional label. Whiskey itself is sugar-free, so the sugars come from added peanut butter, corn syrup, caramel, and other sweeteners used to make flavored liqueurs.
