Bacardi is one of the most popular rum brands in the world. Many people enjoy Bacardi rum in cocktails and mixed drinks. A common question about Bacardi rum is whether it is considered a low calorie liquor option. Here is a quick overview of Bacardi rum and its calorie and sugar content.
Is Bacardi rum low in calories?
The short answer is yes, Bacardi rum is relatively low in calories compared to other spirits. An average 1.5 ounce serving of Bacardi white rum contains around 97 calories and 0g of sugar. This calorie count is lower than many other popular spirits like whiskey, vodka, and gin. So in terms of calories, Bacardi can be considered a lower calorie option.
Calorie and sugar content of Bacardi rums
Let’s take a look at the calorie and sugar stats for some of the most popular Bacardi rum varieties:
| Bacardi Rum Type | Serving Size | Calories | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacardi Superior White Rum | 1.5 oz | 97 | 0 |
| Bacardi Gold Rum | 1.5 oz | 97 | 0 |
| Bacardi Black Rum | 1.5 oz | 97 | 0 |
| Bacardi Flavored Rums (mango, coconut, etc) | 1.5 oz | 100-150 | 0-15 |
As you can see, an average serving of Bacardi white, gold, or black rum contains around 97 calories and 0g of sugar. This is quite low compared to most alcoholic drinks.
The flavored Bacardi rums are slightly higher in calories and sugar since they contain added flavors and a bit of sweetness. But even these only have 100-150 calories per serving, which is still considered relatively low calorie.
What makes Bacardi rum lower in calories?
There are a few reasons why Bacardi rum is lower in calories compared to some other spirits:
– It is distilled from fermented molasses, so the sugar content is relatively low. Many rums are made from sugarcane juice or molasses which can increase sugar and calorie content.
– It is filtered multiple times during production. This helps remove congeners and impurities that can slightly increase calories.
– No extra sugar is added after distillation. Some rums and spiced rums have added sugars.
So in summary, Bacardi rum starts lower in sugar and calories since it uses molasses rather than sugarcane juice. And the distillation and filtration process helps reduce impurities and further lower the calorie count.
How Bacardi rum compares to other alcoholic drinks
To get a better sense of how Bacardi rum fits into the low calorie alcohol landscape, let’s compare it to some other popular alcoholic drink options.
Beer
Most regular beers have around 150 calories per 12oz serving. Light beers can have 100 calories or less. So Bacardi rum is lower in calories than even most light beers.
Wine
A 5oz glass of wine typically has about 120-130 calories. So Bacardi is a bit lower than wine in terms of calories per serving.
Vodka
Vodka is considered one of the lowest calorie liquors, with around 100 calories per 1.5oz shot. So Bacardi rum has virtually the same calories per serving as vodka.
Whiskey
Whiskey like bourbon, scotch, and rye, has around 105 calories per 1.5oz pour. So again, Bacardi rum is very close in calories to whiskey.
Gin
With roughly 115 calories per 1.5oz, gin has slightly more calories than Bacardi rum.
Tequila
A 1.5oz serving of tequila contains about 110 calories, so just a bit higher than Bacardi.
Brandy
Brandy clocks in at around 100 calories for a 1.5oz pour, similar to Bacardi rum.
So in general, Bacardi rum has a similar calorie profile to popular low calorie spirits like vodka, whiskey, and brandy. It comes in slightly lower in calories than drinks like wine, gin, and tequila. And it is significantly lower in calories compared to beer.
Does mixing Bacardi rum increase calories?
Most people don’t drink rum straight. Instead Bacardi rum is commonly mixed into cocktails and drinks. So an important question is whether mixing Bacardi rum into drinks increases the calorie count.
Let’s take a look:
Bacardi rum and diet soda/sugar free mixer
Using a zero calorie mixer like diet soda, seltzer, or sugar-free tonic won’t add any calories to the rum. So a Bacardi and diet coke, Bacardi and soda, etc. will still only have around 100 calories.
Bacardi rum and regular soda/juice mixer
A regular soda like coke has about 140 calories per 12oz can. So mixing 1.5oz of Bacardi with some regular soda would add roughly 60 calories, putting you at around 160 calories total. The same goes for mixing with juice, sweet tea, lemonade, etc. The sugars and calories of the mixer are added to the calories from the rum.
Simple Bacardi rum cocktails
A basic rum cocktail like a rum and cola made with regular cola, a rum and cranberry juice, Bacardi and ginger ale, etc. will generally end up with around 160-200 calories depending on the exact mixer and proportions. So the mixer does add calories, but the drink still remains relatively low calorie compared to other mixed drinks.
Complex rum cocktails and dessert drinks
More elaborate rum cocktails and dessert drinks can have substantially more calories. Pina coladas, mojitos, and margaritas made with rum can range from 300-500+ calories depending on ingredients. Drinks made with fruit juices, syrups, purees, and creamy mixers end up much higher in calories, sugar, and carbs compared to simple rum cocktails. So these types of drinks should be avoided if you are aiming for low calorie intake.
The bottom line is sticking with simple rum cocktails using diet or zero calorie mixers allows you to keep the calorie count relatively low. But more complex cocktails and dessert drinks add significant calories.
Is Bacardi rum keto friendly?
The ketogenic or “keto” diet involves sticking to foods and drinks very low in carbs, moderate in protein, and high in healthy fats. Followers of a keto diet have to limit carb intake, often to just 20-50g per day. Alcohol is something that needs to be carefully considered on keto. But with no carbs and sugar, Bacardi rum can fit into a keto eating plan in moderation.
Here’s a closer look at how Bacardi rum fits into a keto diet:
No carbs or sugar
Unflavored Bacardi rums have 0g of carbs and 0g of sugar. This makes them easy to account for on a keto diet. You don’t have to use any of your limited daily carb allowance for the rum itself.
Use keto-friendly mixers
To make a keto Bacardi drink, choose a zero carb, zero sugar mixer like soda water, plain seltzer, or diet soda. For added flavor, use a splash of low sugar juice like lemon or lime juice. Avoid sugary juices and regular sodas as mixers.
Limit intake to 1-2 drinks
Alcohol can lower inhibitions, leading to poor keto food choices when drinking. Limit Bacardi rum to 1-2 drinks max per day. And be careful not to overdo other carbs later in the day.
Account for calories
While rum has no carbs, it still contains calories. Be sure to account for the calories in your daily keto targets. Don’t let the calories add up and stall weight loss.
So in moderation and with keto-friendly mixers, Bacardi rum can definitely fit into a keto diet. Just be mindful of overall calories.
Is Bacardi gluten free?
For those following a gluten free diet due to celiac disease, an allergy, or simply by choice, here is some good news. Unflavored Bacardi rums are considered gluten free products.
During the distillation process, the gluten from the molasses, yeast, and other ingredients used to make rum is removed and not found in the final distilled spirit. According to Bacardi, their unflavored rums test below the accepted threshhold for gluten content.
Some flavored Bacardi rums may contain gluten depending on added flavors, so these may need to be avoided. But the white, gold, black, and aged rums from Bacardi test as gluten free.
Just be sure to also choose gluten free mixers. Avoid beer, wheat/grain based soda, or other drinks with gluten. Using gluten free juices, sodas, or plain seltzer as mixers allows a gluten sensitive person to enjoy gluten free Bacardi rum cocktails.
Is Bacardi rum considered paleo friendly?
The paleo diet involves eating mainly whole, unprocessed foods like meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. Processed foods, grains, legumes, dairy, and refined sugar are excluded. Alcohol is also generally avoided, but pure distilled alcohols like rum are sometimes included in moderation.
Here’s an overview of how Bacardi rum may fit into the paleo diet:
Made from natural ingredients
Bacardi rum is distilled from molasses, a natural byproduct of sugarcane production. No artificial additives or sugars are used. This makes it more paleo friendly than other flavored rums or liqueurs.
No added sugars
The paleo diet completely eliminates added or refined sugars. Bacardi has 0g of added sugars, so it gets the nod over spiced or sweetened rums.
Consumed in moderation
Many paleo plans advise limiting alcohol intake to special occasions or strictly moderate amounts. Sticking to 1-2 rum drinks maximum is a smart approach for paleo.
Avoid sweet cocktail ingredients
Simple rum cocktails are best for paleo, using ingredients like sparkling water, lime, or bitters to mix. Avoid sweet juices, syrups, and sugary cocktail components.
Overall, enjoying the occasional Bacardi rum drink made with simple whole food ingredients can potentially be included during the paleo diet. Moderation is key, along with avoiding processed cocktail ingredients.
Is Bacardi rum dairy free?
Milk, cream, and other dairy products are not used and not present in the production of Bacardi rum. The main ingredients are molasses, yeast, and water. The distillation process further ensures no traces of dairy remain in the finished rum.
This makes all varieties of unflavored Bacardi rum completely dairy free. They are safe for those avoiding dairy due to an allergy or intolerance.
Some flavored rums may contain small amounts of dairy in the flavorings, so these would need to be avoided if following a strict dairy free diet. But the classic white, gold, black, and aged Bacardi rums are all dairy free across the board.
Is Bacardi rum vegan?
Vegans avoid all animal products including meat, eggs, dairy, honey, and even some dyes and additives that come from animal sources.
Looking at the production methods, ingredients lists, and allergen statements, standard Bacardi rums appear to be 100% vegan:
– Made from plants – Molasses and sugarcane are plants, not animal products. Even the yeast used for fermentation is plant-based.
– No animal-derived ingredients – No dairy, eggs, or other animal ingredients are added.
– Vegan friendly processing – The filters used in rum production are not made from animal products like bone char.
– Free of non-vegan additives – No non-vegan dyes, preservatives, stabilizers, or other additives are included.
So unflavored Bacardi rums look to be fully vegan compliant. As always, flavored varieties may be an exception if non-vegan flavorings are used. But plain Bacardi rum is a vegan product that can be included in a vegan diet.
Is Bacardi rum healthy?
Should rum really be considered a healthy drinking option? While no alcoholic beverage is exactly a health food, some attributes of Bacardi rum make it a bit better than other spirits, beers, and wines:
Lower in calories
At around 100 calories per serving, Bacardi provides a lower calorie option compared to most beers, wines, and many mix drinks made with spirits like vodka and whiskey. This makes it easier to fit into a healthy calorie controlled diet.
No carbs or added sugars
With 0g of carbs and added sugars, Bacardi rum fits into low carb diets like keto. Avoiding added sugars is also recommended as part of a healthy diet.
No dairy allergens
The lack of any dairy ingredients makes Bacardi rum safe for those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.
Gluten free
Bacardi’s gluten free status makes it a smart choice for anyone avoiding gluten.
Neutral spirit profile
Bacardi has a smooth, mild flavor without strong congeners found in some dark spirits. This may help limit chances of hangovers and headaches.
So while no alcoholic beverage is considered truly healthy, Bacardi rum does have some nutritional aspects and properties that make it a better choice than many other alcohol options. Moderation is still key to healthy intake.
Potential downsides to consider
While we’ve covered many of the potential positives of Bacardi rum, there are still some downsides to keep in mind:
Alcohol content
Bacardi rum is 80 proof, so 40% alcohol. Drinking too much of any alcoholic beverage can have negative health effects. Moderation is key.
Calories add up in cocktails
Mixing rum into complex, multi-ingredient cocktails can quickly add calories, carbs, and sugar even if the rum itself is low. Basic rum cocktails are best.
May lower inhibitions
Like any alcohol, rum consumption can affect judgement and self control. This may lead to overeating or other unhealthy behaviors.
Dehydration
Alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing fluid loss. Hangover symptoms can often be caused by mild dehydration after drinking. Be sure to drink water to offset dehydration.
So while rum has some nutritional advantages, overdoing intake, mixing with sugary ingredients, and not staying hydrated can counteract those benefits. Moderation and smart mixing are key to keep rum consumption relatively healthy.
Conclusion
Bacardi rum can be considered a fairly low calorie alcoholic beverage, especially compared to beers, wines, and many cocktails. With around 100 calories and no carbs or sugars per serving, it fits well into diets like keto and fits reasonably into low calorie or low carb eating plans.
Choosing simple rum cocktails made with diet soda, seltzer, or sugar-free mixers allows you to minimize calories and carbs. Avoiding more complex dessert cocktails with juices and syrups prevents excessive calorie and sugar intake.
While no alcohol is completely healthy, Bacardi rum does have a nutritional profile that suits some dietary needs like gluten free, vegan, and dairy free. Any rum intake should be practiced in moderation as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. But Bacardi rum can be a relatively fit choice within the world of alcoholic beverages.
