Quick Answer
There are approximately 124 calories in 2 ounces of Bombay Sapphire gin. Gin is a spirit that is relatively low in calories compared to other alcoholic drinks. A standard serving size of gin is generally around 1.5 ounces, which would contain approximately 93 calories.
Calories in Gin
Gin contains no carbohydrates, fat, protein or fiber. The calories in gin come purely from the alcohol content.
Most gin contains around 37% alcohol by volume (ABV). There are around 97 calories in 1 ounce of pure ethanol alcohol. This means that there are around 36 calories in 1 ounce of gin (37% of 97 calories).
Therefore, a 1.5 ounce serving of gin contains about 54 calories (36 x 1.5). And a 2 ounce serving contains about 72 calories (36 x 2).
However, the calorie content can vary between different brands and styles of gin due to differences in ABV. Let’s take a closer look at Bombay Sapphire gin specifically.
Bombay Sapphire Gin Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for Bombay Sapphire gin:
| Serving Size | 1.5 fl oz (44ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 93 |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, a 1.5 ounce serving of Bombay Sapphire contains 93 calories and 0 grams of carbs, sugar, fat and protein.
Bombay Sapphire has an alcohol content of 40% ABV. Using the calculation we did earlier:
– There are 97 calories in 1 ounce of pure alcohol
– Bombay Sapphire is 40% alcohol by volume
– So there are 40% of 97 = 38.8 calories in 1 ounce of Bombay Sapphire
Therefore:
– A 1.5 ounce serving contains 38.8 x 1.5 = 93 calories
– A 2 ounce serving contains 38.8 x 2 = 124 calories
So in summary, there are **approximately 124 calories in 2 ounces of Bombay Sapphire gin.**
Gin Calories Compared to Other Alcohol
Compared to other types of alcohol, gin is relatively low in calories:
| Drink | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Gin (40% ABV) | 1.5 fl oz | 93 |
| Vodka (40% ABV) | 1.5 fl oz | 96 |
| Whiskey (40% ABV) | 1.5 fl oz | 96 |
| Rum (40% ABV) | 1.5 fl oz | 96 |
| Red Wine (12% ABV) | 5 fl oz | 125 |
| Beer (5% ABV) | 12 fl oz | 150 |
As shown, a serving of gin contains fewer calories than an equivalent serving of red wine or beer. It’s also very close to other spirits like vodka, rum and whiskey.
This makes gin one of the lowest calorie options if you are watching your alcohol intake.
Ways to Reduce Gin Calories
Here are some tips to reduce the number of calories when drinking gin:
– Stick to a single shot (1.5 ounces). A double shot adds nearly 100 extra calories.
– Drink gin plain or with calorie-free mixers like soda water, slimline tonic or diet soda. Regular tonic water can have over 100 calories per serving.
– Skip sugary fruit juices, syrups and cream-based liqueurs which add more calories.
– Avoid gin cocktails with mixers like cola, ginger ale, orange juice or sugary syrups. A gin and tonic can have 180+ calories.
– Fill highball glasses with extra ice to dilute the gin and slow the pace of drinking.
– Have a glass of water between gin drinks to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to overconsumption of alcohol and calories.
So in summary, neat gin has a relatively low calorie count for an alcoholic drink. But watch out for additional calories added by sugary mixers, juices and heavy pouring. Drink responsibly and in moderation to keep the calorie intake reasonable.
Other Nutrition Facts About Gin
We’ve covered the key facts about calories and macronutrients in gin. Here are some additional nutrition notes about gin:
– **Carbs:** Gin contains zero carbs and sugar. This makes it a low carb and keto-friendly drink option.
– **Protein:** Gin contains no protein or amino acids. The fermentation process removes any proteins from the original plant source.
– **Fat:** Gin is completely fat-free, containing absolutely no fat or fatty acids.
– **Vitamins and minerals:** Gin contains zero vitamins, minerals or other micronutrients. Distillation removes all traces of vitamins from the mash ingredients.
– **Dehydration:** Alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing urine output. This can lead to dehydration if consumed in excess without water.
– **Congeners:** Congeners are toxic by-products of fermentation. Gin has lower congener levels than other spirits, but they may still contribute to hangovers.
– **Metabolism:** The liver breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde, which is further metabolized into acetate. This process generates ATP energy.
– **Adverse effects:** Excessive alcohol intake is linked to multiple adverse health effects, including liver disease, pancreatitis, cancer, obesity and toxicity. Moderation is key.
So in summary, pure gin itself provides only calories from the alcohol content. There are no other beneficial nutrients, so calories should be carefully managed. And heavy consumption can have detrimental health impacts in the long run.
Impact of Different Botanical Ingredients
Gin gets its distinctive flavor from botanical ingredients like juniper, coriander, citrus peels, herbs and spices. However, these do not significantly impact the nutritional value.
The base spirit provides almost all the nutritional content. The botanicals may contribute trace amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants, but not enough to substantially affect the macro- or micronutrient profile.
In terms of calories, you can expect any gin to provide around 97 calories per 1 ounce of alcohol. Changing the botanicals does not make one gin considerably more or less calorific than others.
With that said, some ingredients may offer other theoretical benefits:
– **Juniper:** Could have antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties based on research on juniper berries. But very little makes it through distillation.
– **Citrus peels:** Provide fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants when eaten whole. But these nutrients are removed during gin production.
– **Coriander:** Coriander seeds may aid digestion. But again, the distillation process negates any potential benefits.
– **Angelica root:** Used in herbal medicine to improve circulation and digestion. But not present in sufficient quantities to affect consumers.
Overall, while the botanicals impact the flavor profile, they do not provide significant nutritional value due to the distillation process. The spirit base provides almost all the calories and nutrition facts.
Making Gin Healthier
There are a few ways to boost the nutritional profile and healthiness of gin:
– **Infuse with herbs:** Infusing gin with fresh herbs like basil, rosemary or thyme can introduce trace amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
– **Skip sugary mixers:** As noted earlier, avoiding high-calorie sodas, tonics or juices keeps sugar and calories low.
– **Spritzers:** Dilute gin with sparkling water and a squeeze of citrus for vitamin C and to slow drinking pace.
– **Maize liquor base:** Some gins use maize liquor instead of grain spirit. This may provide small amounts of antioxidants like carotenoids.
– **Drink in moderation:** The healthiest approach is enjoying 1-2 gin drinks slowly, hydrating well and not exceeding low-risk alcohol guidelines.
However, gin’s nutritional value remains quite negligible overall. Focus instead on maintaining a balanced diet, active lifestyle, and responsible drinking habits.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the calorie and nutrition content of gin:
Does gin have sugar or carbs?
No, gin contains zero sugar and zero carbs. The distillation process removes all traces of sugars and starches from the base grain ingredients.
Does gin have gluten?
Most gin is gluten-free, since it is distilled from grains like corn, rye or wheat. Distillation removes gluten proteins, resulting in negligible traces in the final spirit. However, some gin may be at risk for trace gluten content. Check the bottle if you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy.
Are there any vitamins in gin?
No, gin does not contain any vitamins. Vitamins are removed and destroyed during the distillation process. Infusing with fresh herbs may introduce trace amounts of vitamins.
Is gin keto friendly?
Yes, gin is low carb and keto friendly. It contains zero carbs or sugar that would impact ketosis. Dry martinis and gin with zero-carb mixers are go-to keto drinks.
Is gin paleo diet friendly?
Yes, gin is paleo friendly since it’s sugar-free, grain-free and gluten-free. Early forms of distilled spirits may have been consumed during the paleolithic era.
Does gin raise cholesterol?
There is no direct cholesterol in gin, but excessive alcohol intake over time can potentially negatively impact cholesterol levels. Moderation is key.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a 2 ounce serving of Bombay Sapphire gin contains approximately 124 calories, purely from the alcohol content. Gin is one of the lowest calorie alcoholic drink options, providing almost no carbs, sugar, fat or protein.
The distillation process removes most nutrients, so the botanical ingredients have negligible impact. To make gin healthier, focus on low-calorie mixers, drinking in moderation and maintaining an overall balanced diet.
