Southern Comfort is a popular liqueur made from neutral spirits and fruit juices. It has a sweet, bourbon-like flavor and is often used in cocktails or consumed as a shot. But for those watching their calorie intake, it’s important to know exactly how many calories are in a standard shot of Southern Comfort.
What is Southern Comfort?
Southern Comfort is an American liqueur made in Louisville, Kentucky. The original recipe was created in 1874 by bartender Martin Wilkes Heron and contained whiskey, peaches, spices, and other flavorings. Today, Southern Comfort is owned by the Sazerac Company and made with neutral spirits, peach, orange, vanilla, and other natural flavors.
Southern Comfort has an alcohol content of 35% ABV (70 proof). It has a sweet, smooth taste with hints of peach, vanilla, cinnamon, and lemon. The flavor is often described as similar to bourbon whiskey. Southern Comfort can be consumed straight as a shot, on the rocks, or used in cocktails. Some popular cocktails made with Southern Comfort include:
- Alabama Slammer
- SoCo Lime
- Silk Panties
- Comfortable Screw
The sweet, fruity flavor profile makes Southern Comfort a popular option for shooters and mixed drinks. It’s especially common in college bars and parties.
Nutrition Facts for Southern Comfort
As a liqueur, Southern Comfort does contain calories and carbs, although exact nutrition facts can vary between specific products. Here are the approximate nutrition facts for a standard 1.5 oz shot of Southern Comfort (40% ABV):
| Nutrition Facts | Per 1 shot (1.5 oz) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 105 |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Sugars | 11 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, there are 105 calories in a single 1.5 oz shot of Southern Comfort. It also contains 13 grams of carbs, mostly from added sugars. There are no significant amounts of protein, fiber, fat, or other nutrients.
Calories from Alcohol vs Other Ingredients
The calories in Southern Comfort come from both the alcohol content and non-alcohol ingredients like sugar and flavorings. Here is a rough breakdown of where the 105 calories come from:
- Alcohol: Around 70 calories per shot come from the pure alcohol itself. Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram.
- Sugars/Carbs: Around 30 calories come from the 13 grams of carbohydrates, mostly sugars added to sweeten and flavor the liqueur.
- Fat, protein, fiber: These contribute minimal or no calories.
So the alcohol content itself accounts for about two-thirds of total calories, while the added sugars and flavors make up the remaining one-third. All types of alcoholic drinks contain calories from alcohol itself in addition to any carbs, sugars, or fat.
Calorie and Carb Count in Multiple Shots
It’s common for people to consume more than one shot of Southern Comfort at a time. So how do the calories scale up if you drink multiple shots?
Here are the estimated calories and carbs in different numbers of shots of Southern Comfort:
| Number of Shots | Total Calories | Total Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 shot | 105 | 13 |
| 2 shots | 210 | 26 |
| 3 shots | 315 | 39 |
| 4 shots | 420 | 52 |
| 5 shots | 525 | 65 |
As you can see, the calories and carbs scale linearly with each additional shot. So five shots would contain about five times the calories and carbs of a single shot.
Calories Compared to Other Alcoholic Drinks
How does Southern Comfort compare calorie-wise to other types of alcoholic drinks?
Here are the typical calories for a 1.5 oz serving of different alcoholic beverages:
- Southern Comfort (35% ABV): 105 calories
- Vodka (40% ABV): 96 calories
- Gin (40% ABV): 97 calories
- Rum (40% ABV): 96 calories
- Tequila (40% ABV): 96 calories
- Whiskey (40% ABV): 96 calories
Southern Comfort has slightly more calories per serving compared to these unsweetened spirits, since it contains added sugars. But the differences are minor. For all these alcoholic drinks, the majority of calories still come from the alcohol itself.
Tips for Reducing Calories in Southern Comfort Drinks
Here are some tips if you’re looking to reduce the calorie count while still enjoying Southern Comfort drinks:
- Drink it mixed with calorie-free diet soda or seltzer instead of regular soda.
- Skip sugary mixers like juice, cola, or sweet teas.
- Use less Southern Comfort and more mixer in each drink.
- Drink it over ice to dilute the alcohol and sugars.
- Stick to one shot instead of multiple.
- Substitute every other shot with a non-alcoholic beverage.
Combining these tricks can lead to a significantly lower calorie Southern Comfort drink.
Should You Worry About Calories in Southern Comfort?
For most people, occasionally enjoying Southern Comfort in moderation should not be a major health concern. The calories are comparable to other spirits, and a drink here and there likely will not cause significant weight gain.
However, for those watching their calorie intake or with certain medical conditions like diabetes, the carbohydrates and sugars could be something to be mindful of. Sticking to calorie-reduced diet mixer drinks or limiting yourself to one shot is advised.
Binge drinking or frequently consuming many servings can also increase the calorie count to harmful levels over time. Moderation and considering how Southern Comfort fits into your overall diet is key.
The Bottom Line
In summary, here are the key facts on calories in Southern Comfort:
- There are about 105 calories in a standard 1.5 oz shot of Southern Comfort.
- Around 70 calories come from the alcohol itself, while 30 calories come from added sugars and flavorings.
- The calories scale up linearly the more shots you consume (e.g. 2 shots is 210 calories).
- Southern Comfort has slightly more calories than unsweetened spirits like vodka, but the difference is minimal.
- Strategies like using zero-calorie mixer can help reduce the calorie count of Southern Comfort drinks.
As long as you enjoy Southern Comfort in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, consuming an occasional shot should not be a major source of excess calories.
