What is brandy?
Brandy is a spirit made from distilled wine or fermented fruit juice. The most common brandies are made from grapes, but brandies can also be made from other fruits like apples, pears, peaches or blackberries. Brandy typically contains 35-60% alcohol by volume (70-120 proof).
Brandy is aged in oak barrels for years or even decades to enrich its color and flavor. The longer a brandy is aged, the darker its color becomes. Young brandies are clear while mature brandies take on a deep amber or brown hue. Aging also smooths out the flavor of brandy and brings out more complex aromas and tastes.
Some of the most well-known types of brandy include:
- Cognac – Made in the Cognac region of France, produced from specific grapes and aged in oak at least 2 years.
- Armagnac – From the Armagnac region of France, also made from specific grapes and aged in oak.
- Brandy de Jerez – From the Jerez region of Spain, made from local wine grapes.
- California brandy – Made in the US from grapes grown in California.
- Calvados – An apple brandy from the Normandy region of France.
- Pisco – A clear, unaged brandy made from muscat grapes in Chile and Peru.
Brandy is commonly enjoyed neat, on the rocks, in cocktails, or used for flambéing in cooking. It pairs well with cigars and rich chocolate desserts.
Calorie and nutrition content of brandy
The calorie content of brandy depends on the proof, which is a measure of the percentage of alcohol. Higher proof brandies contain more alcohol, and therefore more calories.
On average, a 1.5 ounce (44 ml) serving of 80 proof brandy contains about 97 calories. This remains relatively consistent across most types and brands of grape brandy.
Here’s how many calories are in 1.5 ounces of some popular types of brandy (80 proof):
- Cognac – 96 calories
- Armagnac – 97 calories
- Brandy de Jerez – 97 calories
- California brandy – 97 calories
Calvados, an apple brandy, is slightly lower in calories due to a lower alcohol content. A 1.5 oz serving of 80 proof Calvados contains around 90 calories.
Pisco, on the other hand, often has a higher proof of around 90. At this alcohol percentage, a 1.5 oz serving contains around 110 calories.
For comparison:
- 80 proof vodka – 96 calories
- 40% whiskey – 105 calories
- 90 proof rum – 110 calories
- 15% wine – 125 calories
So brandy is on the lower end of calories compared to other spirits or wine, when comparing the same serving size.
The main calorie-contributing nutrient in brandy is alcohol itself. Aside from alcohol, brandy contains very minimal amounts of carbs, protein, fiber or other nutrients. Any antioxidants or polyphenols from the grape source are eliminated during the distillation process.
Factors affecting brandy calories
The most significant factor affecting a brandy’s calorie count is the alcohol percentage, or proof. But some other factors can cause slight variation in calories between brands:
Age – As brandy ages and some alcohol evaporates, the proof may decrease slightly, lowering calories.
Blending – Brandies blended with flavorings, sugars or lower proof liquors will have slightly varying calorie counts.
Serving size – Larger serving sizes mean more calories (see alcohol serving sizes later).
Mixers & preparations – Brandy’s calories increase when mixed into sweetened cocktails or desserts.
So while most straight 80 proof brandy servings have roughly 100 calories, there can be 50-150 calories depending on specific products and serving sizes.
Does brandy have carbs?
Straight brandy does not contain any carbohydrates, sugars or fiber. These are eliminated through the distilling process, which isolates the alcohol content from the original wine.
However, some sweetened liqueur-style brandies do contain carbs and sugar from added flavorings. Brandy finished in sweet wine barrels may also pick up trace amounts of sugar.
Here are the carb counts for 1.5 ounces of some popular sweetened brandies:
- Remy Martin VSOP (cognac) – 0g carbs
- Courvoisier VS (cognac) – 0g carbs
- Hennessy VS (cognac) – 0g carbs
- D’ussé VSOP (cognac) – 0g carbs
- E&J VS (California brandy) – 0g carbs
- St. Remy VSOP (California brandy) – 9g carbs
- Christian Brothers Honey (infused brandy) – 12g carbs
- Metaxa (Greek brandy) – 14g carbs
As shown, most straight brandies have no carbs, while flavored and infused versions may contain up to 5-15g of carbs from added sugar. Brandy-based liqueurs and aperitifs are also higher in sugar.
It’s also possible for brandy to pick up a gram or less of residual sugars left over from barrel aging. But this is still considered negligible in the context of a diet.
Brandy and keto diets
Keto and other very low carb diets generally aim for under 50g of carbs per day. Alcohol is one item that needs to be monitored for hidden carbs.
Fortunately, unlike beer or sweet mixed drinks, straight brandy won’t add many excess carbs. Dry styles like cognac, armagnac and California brandy all have 0g carbs per serving.
This makes brandy a good option for low carb diets when consumed in moderation. Just be cautious of sweetened brandies or brandy cocktails mixed with sugary juices, sodas or liqueurs. Avoid those to keep carb counts low.
Here are some tips for enjoying brandy on keto:
– Sip straight or on the rocks
– Mix with soda water, diet soda or mineral water
– Add a squeeze of lemon or lime
– Blend with unsweetened iced tea
– Brandy-based cocktails like Sidecars made with diet lemonade or erythritol
Enjoying brandy reasonably fits into a keto eating plan, so you don’t need to avoid it completely. Just account for the alcohol calories within your daily limits.
Blood sugar and glycemic index
The glycemic index (GI) measures how much a food raises blood sugar levels.
Alcoholic beverages like brandy don’t have a GI value because they contain minimal carbs and don’t impact blood sugar. Brandy has no effect on blood glucose levels.
However, alcohol should still be consumed in moderation, especially for people with diabetes. While it doesn’t spike blood sugar directly, alcohol can negatively interact with diabetes medication.
Here are some tips for people with diabetes:
– Have brandy with food to moderate absorption
– Limit to 1-2 servings max per day
– Check with your doctor about medication and alcohol
– Avoid sweetened brandies to limit added sugars
– Monitor blood sugar closely when consuming alcohol
Overall, unsweetened brandy is a low glycemic beverage, but people with diabetes should enjoy responsibly.
Brandy compared to wine
Both brandy and wine are derived from grape fermentation. But the production process and alcohol content differs significantly:
Calories in wine vs. brandy
– Red wine: 125 calories per 5 oz glass
– White wine: 120 calories per 5 oz glass
– Brandy: 97 calories per 1.5 oz glass
Even though wine has less alcohol, the serving size is much larger, resulting in 1.5x the calories compared to brandy.
Carbs in wine vs brandy
– Red wine: Around 4g carbs per glass
– White wine: 3-4g carbs per glass
– Brandy: 0g carbs
Wine retains residual sugars from grapes, while brandy’s distillation process eliminates carbs completely.
Alcohol content
– Table wine: 11-15% ABV
– Fortified wine: 16-20% ABV
– Brandy: 35-60% ABV
Brandy starts with a wine base but concentrates it to at least 70 proof through distillation. This results in a higher alcohol percentage.
So brandy is significantly lower in calories, carbs and serving size compared to wine when accounting for the difference in alcohol content. Both can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Maximum recommended serving sizes
It’s important to drink brandy in moderation due to its high alcohol concentration.
Here are the recommended maximum serving sizes, according to US dietary guidelines:
Men:
– 2 servings per day
– 28 servings per week
Women:
– 1 serving per day
– 14 servings per week
1 serving is equal to:
– 1.5 fluid ounces (44ml) of 80 proof brandy
– 8-9 ounces of wine (250ml)
– 12 ounces of beer (355ml)
Always drink responsibly within limits. Consuming more than this regularly can increase health risks.
Tips for reducing brandy calories
There are a few easy ways to reduce the number of calories in brandy:
– Dilute with water or soda water – Add ice and a splash of plain or carbonated water to stretch out your drink.
– Go for lower proof – Some brandy labels offer 80 proof and 86 proof versions. Go for the lower alcohol option to cut calories.
– Downsize servings – Stick to 1 fluid ounce (30ml) servings to get all the flavor at 2/3 the calories.
– Skip the sugar – Use diet mixers and avoid added liqueurs or syrups for zero added sugar.
– Sip slowly – Make your drink last longer so you feel satisfied with less volume.
With smart habits, you can sip on delicious brandy while still watching your calorie intake.
Health impacts of consuming brandy
Like other alcohol, drinking brandy comes with both risks and potential benefits if consumed in moderation.
Here are some of the health effects linked to moderate brandy intake:
Potential benefits:
– Increased HDL (good) cholesterol
– Decreased risk of heart disease
– Lower risk of stroke and diabetes
– Minimal antioxidant content from oak barrel aging
Potential risks:
– High blood pressure
– Liver damage
– Addiction or alcohol abuse
– Increased cancer risk
There are also risks associated with excessive drinking including brain damage, mental health issues, and vitamin deficiencies.
For healthy adults having 1-2 brandy drinks per day with meals, most research indicates the potential benefits outweigh the risks. But alcohol consumption should always be discussed with your doctor.
Is brandy gluten-free?
Most brandy is gluten-free, as it is distilled from grapes or other fruit juices that don’t contain gluten.
However, some brandies may come into contact with gluten grains or barrels during processing. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should look for bottlings specifically labeled as gluten-free.
Here are some popular gluten-free brandy options:
– Courvoisier VS and VSOP (cognac)
– Hennessy VS, VSOP and XO (cognac)
– Remy Martin VSOP (cognac)
– Martell VS and VSOP (cognac)
– Paul Masson Grande Amber (California brandy)
– Torres 10 and 20 (Spanish brandy)
– Chateau de Laubade VS and XO (Armagnac)
As long as the brandy is still made from grapes and not grain, it is likely gluten-free. But check labels to be 100% sure, especially if you have celiac disease.
Conclusion
Brandy contains around 100 calories per 1.5 ounce serving. This is moderately low compared to other spirits due to brandy’s lower proof, around 80 on average.
Calories come solely from the alcohol content. Pure distilled brandies have no carbs, sugar, fiber or other nutrients. Age, blending and serving size can slightly impact total calories in a given brandy.
Enjoying 1-2 small glasses of unsweetened brandy can fit into a healthy diet or even a low carb keto diet. Just account for the alcohol calories and practice moderation as recommended. Sipping brandy with no added sugars or mixers is one of the lowest calorie options for spirits.
