Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Coca-Cola is a classic cocktail combination known as a Jack and Coke. But many people wonder just how many calories are in this popular highball drink. The answer depends on the exact amounts of whiskey and Coke used. By looking at the calorie counts of Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola individually, we can estimate the total calories in a typical Jack and Coke.
Calories in a Shot of Jack Daniel’s
First, let’s examine the calories contained in a standard 1.5 ounce shot of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey (40% alcohol by volume).
According to the Jack Daniel’s website, a 1.5 ounce serving of Jack Daniel’s contains 98 calories. This is a moderate calorie count for a distilled spirit like whiskey. For reference, the same serving size of a vodka such as Absolut contains 96 calories.
This works out to about 65 calories per ounce of Jack Daniel’s. So a single shot contains a significant amount of calories, nearly equivalent to some light beers. But the calorie count is less than higher proof liquors which can contain up to 100 calories per ounce.
Calories in Coca-Cola
Now let’s examine the calorie content of Coca-Cola.
According to Coca-Cola’s nutritional information, a 12 ounce can of Coca-Cola contains 140 calories. The calorie count is identical for regular, Zero Sugar, and Diet Coke.
A typical Jack and Coke is made with a 1.5 ounce shot of whiskey and filled with Coca-Cola as the mixer. If using a standard 12 ounce glass, that means there would be approximately 10.5 ounces of Coke along with the 1.5 ounces of whiskey.
Given that a 12 ounce can of Coke has 140 calories, a 10.5 ounce serving would have about 122 calories.
Calories in a Shot of Jack Daniel’s and Coke
Using the calorie counts for both components, we can estimate the total calories in a typical Jack and Coke:
* 1.5 ounces Jack Daniel’s (1 shot): 98 calories
* 10.5 ounces Coca-Cola: 122 calories
* Total calories: 220 calories
So a standard Jack and Coke containing one 1.5 ounce shot of whiskey and the remaining glass filled with Coke has approximately 220 calories.
This is a moderate calorie cocktail, roughly equivalent to drinking a light beer. It has less calories than some popular cocktails like a piña colada (over 500 calories) but more than a vodka soda (around 100 calories).
The exact calories can vary based on the precise pour of whiskey and proportion of Coke. Using less whiskey or more Coke would lower the calories, while a heavier whiskey pour would increase it. But the 220 calorie estimate for a typical Jack and Coke provides a good benchmark.
Ways to Reduce the Calories in a Jack and Coke
If you want to lighten up the calorie content in a Jack and Coke, here are some options:
– Use diet cola like Diet Coke or Coke Zero Sugar instead of regular Coca-Cola. This eliminates nearly all calories from the mixer.
– Add extra ice to fill up more of the glass and dilute the Coke.
– Use a smaller shot of whiskey such as 1 ounce instead of 1.5 ounces.
– Skip the whiskey and just enjoy a glass of diet cola on ice.
– Substitute the whiskey for a lower calorie spirit like vodka or tequila.
Any of these tweaks can help reduce the overall calorie count of your Jack and Coke. But keep in mind that even at 220 calories, it’s still a reasonably moderate cocktail option if you’re watching your calorie intake.
How Many Jack and Cokes to Reach Daily Calorie Needs
To provide some additional context around the calories, here is an estimate of how many Jack and Cokes it would take to reach your recommended daily calorie intake:
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a standard daily calorie intake of:
– 2,000 calories per day for women
– 2,500 calories per day for men
Based on the 220 calories per cocktail, this means:
For Women
– To reach 100% of a 2,000 calorie diet, it would take about 9 Jack and Cokes.
– To reach 50% of calories (1,000 calories), it would be about 4-5 Jack and Cokes.
For Men
– For a 2,500 calorie diet, around 11 Jack and Cokes would provide 100% of calories.
– For 50% of calories (1,250), approximately 6 Jack and Cokes.
Consuming this number of highball cocktails would certainly not be recommended. But it provides a reference on the calorie content of Jack and Coke in relation to daily needs. Sticking to 1-2 cocktails is a more reasonable approach if including them as part of a balanced diet.
Nutritional Profile of Jack and Coke
Beyond just calories, here is a quick look at some other nutritional aspects of a Jack and Coke:
Carbohydrates
Per 12 ounce can, Coca-Cola contains 39g of carbohydrates, all from added sugars. A 10.5 ounce serving would provide around 34g carbs. Jack Daniel’s contains 0g carbs. So a full Jack and Coke would have 34g of carbs, all from the Coca-Cola.
Protein
There is minimal protein in Jack and Coke. Jack Daniel’s provides 0g protein per serving. Coca-Cola also contains 0g.
Fat
Again, minimal fat content. Jack Daniel’s contains 0g fat per serving. Coca-Cola also has 0g fat.
Vitamins and Minerals
Neither ingredient provides any significant vitamins or minerals. Jack Daniel’s contains trace amounts of iron while Coca-Cola contains small amounts of potassium and magnesium. But overall, the vitamin and mineral profile is negligible.
Alcohol Content
The primary alcohol in a Jack and Coke comes from the 1.5 ounce shot of Jack Daniel’s whiskey. At 40% alcohol by volume, this provides 0.6 ounces (18ml) of pure alcohol per cocktail.
This is a moderate amount of alcohol compared to other mixed drinks. For example, a vodka martini can contain around 1 ounce of alcohol depending on the pour.
Comparing Jack and Coke to Other Cocktail Options
How does a Jack and Coke compare calorie-wise to some other popular cocktails? Here is a quick calorie comparison:
| Cocktail | Calories (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Jack and Coke | 220 calories |
| Gin and tonic | 180 calories |
| Vodka soda with lime | 100 calories |
| Margarita on the rocks | 260 calories |
| Piña colada | 500-700 calories |
| Moscow mule | 170 calories |
As you can see, a Jack and Coke is on the higher end for a basic spirit and mixer drink, but much lower than heavy mixed cocktails like a piña colada.
If minimizing calories is your priority, a vodka soda is the best low-calorie cocktail option, or substituting diet soda as the mixer. But at around 200 calories including the whiskey, Jack and Coke remains a moderately caloric choice among popular mixed drinks.
Should You Worry About the Calories in Jack and Coke?
While it’s beneficial to be aware of the calorie content in cocktails, worrying too much about Jack and Coke calories can take away from enjoying this classic combination in moderation.
A good rule of thumb is to stick to the recommended alcohol serving sizes and limit yourself to 1-2 cocktails at a time. This prevents excessive calorie intake from too many mixers and whiskey pours, while still letting you enjoy the flavors of Jack Daniel’s and cola.
Additionally, using diet soda as the mixer and asking for lighter whiskey pours can help reduce the calorie load. But unless you have specific nutrition goals or diet restrictions, obsessing over the precise calorie count in a Jack and Coke may be unnecessary.
As with any food or drink, consuming a Jack and Coke in moderation can allow it to be part of an overall balanced and healthy diet. The combination of flavors between Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Coca-Cola has appealed to people’s tastes for generations. So being mindful of calories is wise, but you can confidently enjoy this classic cocktail without going overboard counting every calorie.
The Bottom Line
A standard Jack and Coke containing a 1.5 ounce shot of Jack Daniel’s and about 10 ounces of Coca-Cola has approximately 220 calories. This gives it a moderately high calorie count compared to other popular cocktails. There are several ways to tweak the drink to reduce the calorie content, such as using diet soda. But in moderation, a 220 calorie Jack and Coke can be part of a balanced diet without too much cause for calorie concern. Savor the special taste combination of Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Coke, but be mindful of limiting overall alcohol and mixer quantities for the healthiest approach.
