Crown Apple is a popular flavored whiskey liqueur made by Crown Royal. It has a distinctive apple flavor and is commonly used in cocktails and mixed drinks. With its sweet apple taste, Crown Apple provides an appealing alternative to regular whiskey. However, the added flavors and sweeteners lead some people to wonder – is Crown Apple high in calories?
What is Crown Apple?
Crown Apple is a member of the Crown Royal family of whiskeys produced by Diageo. It is made by infusing Crown Royal Canadian whisky with apple flavors. The result is a rich, smooth whiskey with prominent fresh apple notes.
Crown Apple was first released in 2016. It is bottled at 70 proof (35% alcohol by volume). This whiskey liqueur has a bright golden color. On the palate, Crown Apple provides gentle flavors of crisp apples complemented by Canadian whisky’s distinctive vanilla and caramel tones. It has a round, fruity profile that makes it very mixable.
The apple flavor in Crown Apple comes from distilling fresh apples. Crown Royal uses Fuji and Gala apples harvested from orchards in Washington state. The apples are distilled to extract their essence and create an authentic fresh apple taste. Natural apple flavors are then blended with the Canadian whisky.
Crown Apple is designed to be enjoyed on its own or in cocktails. It can substitute in any recipe calling for cinnamon whiskey or regular Crown Royal. The apple flavors pair particularly well with ingredients like cranberry juice, ginger beer, and lime. Crown Apple is smoother and richer than many other flavored whiskeys.
Nutritional Facts for Crown Apple
To understand Crown Apple’s calorie content, let’s examine its nutritional facts:
Serving Size
The standard serving size for Crown Apple is 1.5 fluid ounces (1 shot). All nutritional values are based on this serving size.
Calories
Each 1.5 oz serving of Crown Apple contains 105 calories.
This calorie count is comparable to other popular whisky liqueurs:
- Fireball Cinnamon Whisky: 105 calories per 1.5 oz
- Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey: 105 calories per 1.5 oz
- Jim Beam Kentucky Fire: 105 calories per 1.5 oz
- Wild Turkey American Honey: 111 calories per 1.5 oz
So Crown Apple provides a similar amount of calories as other flavored whiskies. It clocks in at a moderate 105 calories per standard drink.
Carbohydrates
Crown Apple contains 15g of carbohydrates per serving. These carbohydrates mostly come from added sugars used to sweeten and flavor the whiskey.
This carb count is on the higher side compared to regular whisky (which contains 0g of carbohydrates). However, it’s quite average among flavored whisky liqueurs. For example, Fireball and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey also provide about 15g of carbs.
The added sugars contribute to Crown Apple’s sweet apple flavor. But they also account for the increased calorie count compared to whiskey alone.
Sugars
Each serving of Crown Apple contains 15g of sugar. This is equivalent to about 4 teaspoons of sugar.
Again, this sugar content is quite standard for a flavored whiskey liqueur. It’s similar to the sugar found in Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey or Jim Beam Red Stag Black Cherry. The sugar contributes additional calories and carbs.
Fat, Protein, and Other Nutrients
Crown Apple contains no fat, fiber, protein, or other micronutrients. So the calories come exclusively from the alcohol and added sugars.
Besides calories, carbs, and sugar, the only other nutritional component is the alcohol content itself (35% alcohol by volume).
How Crown Apple Compares to Other Whiskies
To better understand Crown Apple’s calories and carbs, let’s see how it compares nutritionally to other types of whisky:
Crown Apple vs. Regular Whiskey
Plain Canadian whisky contains roughly 105 calories and 0g carbs per 1.5 oz serving. So Crown Apple provides nearly identical calories to regular Canadian whisky. However, its sugar content leads to 15g of additional carbohydrates.
Crown Apple vs. Flavored Whiskey Liqueurs
Crown Apple is very similar in calories and carbs to other flavored whiskies like Fireball, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, and Wild Turkey American Honey. These all contain around 105 calories and 15g carbs. So Crown Apple fits right in with others in the flavored whiskey category.
Crown Apple vs. Regular Liqueurs
Compared to non-whisky liqueurs, Crown Apple is moderate in calories and carbs. For example, Baileys Irish cream contains 147 calories and 16g carbs. Amaretto disaronno contains 153 calories and 17g carbs. So Crown Apple provides fewer calories than these cream and nut-based liqueurs.
Crown Apple vs. Dessert Flavored Liqueurs
However, compared to very sweet, dessert-flavored liqueurs, Crown Apple comes in lower in calories and sugar. For example:
- Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka: 166 calories, 18g carbs
- Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow Vodka: 258 calories, 33g carbs
- Smirnoff Root Beer Float Vodka: 147 calories, 18g carbs
So while sweet, Crown Apple remains relatively light on calories and carbs compared to these ultra-sweet flavored vodkas and liqueurs.
Alcohol Content of Crown Apple
Beyond calories and carbs, another important consideration is Crown Apple’s alcohol content.
Crown Apple contains 35% alcohol by volume. This is equivalent to 70 proof.
This alcohol content is the same as regular Crown Royal Canadian whisky. It’s also standard for the flavored whiskey category – for example, Fireball, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, and Jim Beam Kentucky Fire are all 35% ABV.
At 35% ABV, Crown Apple provides a noticeable yet smooth alcoholic kick. This alcohol content means a 1.5 ounce serving contains 0.53 ounces of pure alcohol. The calorie count reflects the energy content provided by this alcohol.
Overall Crown Apple has a relatively standard alcohol percentage for a liqueur. This level provides a balance between flavor and alcoholic strength.
Factors That Increase Crown Apple’s Calories
What factors make Crown Apple higher in calories than regular whisky? There are two main reasons:
Added Sugars
The primary reason Crown Apple contains more calories is the added sugars. Whisky liqueurs use added sugars to sweeten the flavor and complement the fruit essences.
In Crown Apple’s case, these sugars enhance the apple taste. However, they also increase the carbohydrate and calorie counts. The 15g of sugar accounts for a significant portion of Crown Apple’s 105 calories.
Dilution
Crown Apple is bottled at 70 proof (35% ABV). This dilution slightly increases the calorie density compared to cask strength whiskies.
For example, cask strength whisky at 50% ABV provides roughly 85 calories per 1.5 oz pour. But diluting to 40% ABV increases that to 97 calories. So Crown Apple’s diluted alcohol percentage leads to moderately higher calories than undiluted whisky.
Does Mixing Change the Calories?
When enjoying Crown Apple in cocktails and mixed drinks, does that alter the calorie content?
The answer is it depends on the ingredients used:
- Using zero-calorie mixers like diet soda or sparkling water won’t change the calorie count.
- Mixing with sugary sodas or juices will increase calories further.
- Naturally, adding several ounces of a mixer will increase the total volume and affect the per-ounce calories.
But the Crown Apple itself still provides 105 calories per 1.5 oz serving. So the other ingredients determine the final calorie and carb totals in a cocktail.
To keep calories moderate, try mixing Crown Apple with soda water, ginger ale, unsweetened tea, or other zero-calorie beverages. Avoid sugary fruit juices and soft drinks as mixers.
Tips for Reducing Calories in Cocktails
Here are some tips for reducing the calories when making cocktails with Crown Apple or other flavored whiskies:
Use Low-Calorie Mixers
Opt for calorie-free sodas, seltzer, or iced tea rather than sugary fruit juices and soft drinks. A diet ginger ale and whiskey has around 105 calories, compared to 200+ for whiskey and regular soda.
Increase the Whiskey to Mixer Ratio
Drink highballs made with 2 oz whiskey and 4-6 oz mixer rather than 1 oz whiskey with 8 oz mixer. This minimizes empty calories from non-alcoholic ingredients.
Avoid Creamy Ingredients
Say no to heavy cream, milk, and creamy liqueurs. These can double or triple the calorie count.
Skip the Simple Syrup
Pre-mixed beverages often contain lots of added syrups. Ask for drinks to be made without simple syrup or other sugary sweeteners.
Be Wary of Specialty Cocktails
Trendy bar cocktails often have 200-300 calories or more. Stick to simple highballs and avoid milkshake-type specialty drinks.
Sip Slowly
Pace yourself by sipping cocktails slowly. This allows you to maximize enjoyment and control excess calories.
Is Crown Apple Considered High Calorie?
At 105 calories per serving, Crown Apple is moderately high in calories compared to hard liquors like vodka, rum, tequila, and gin that contain around 100 calories per shot. However, it’s lower in calories than many liqueurs and specialty drinks.
Compared specifically to other flavored whiskies, Crown Apple is about average in calories. So while not low-calorie, it isn’t an exceptionally high source of calories among whisky liqueurs.
The key is to enjoy Crown Apple sensibly in moderation. When limiting yourself to 1-2 servings, its calorie impact is relatively modest. Just be wary of excessive intake, mixing with sugary beverages, or combining it with other high-calorie ingredients.
Strategies for Reducing Calories
Here are some tips for reducing calorie intake from Crown Apple or other flavored whiskies:
- Measure servings precisely using a jigger or shot glass.
- Drink Crown Apple on the rocks to make it last longer.
- Mix with calorie-free beverages instead of sugary juices.
- Drink slowly and limit yourself to 1-2 servings.
- Avoid shots and drinking games that promote overconsumption.
- Eat healthy filling foods and stay hydrated when drinking.
- Compensate calorie-wise the next day by eating light.
Being mindful about serving sizes, pacing yourself, and mixing smart are key to keeping calories in check.
The Bottom Line
So is Crown Apple high in calories?
The answer is it’s moderate in calories, providing 105 calories per 1.5 ounce serving. This is slightly above regular whiskey but average among flavored whiskeys.
Crown Apple derives its calories from alcohol as well as added sugars that enhance the apple flavor. To limit intake, be careful of portion sizes, avoid sugary mixers, and drink water alongside it. Enjoy Crown Apple sensibly as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle.
Overall, Crown Apple delivers an indulgent apple flavored whiskey experience while remaining lower in calories than many cream and dessert-based liqueurs. Sipped in moderation, it can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. Just be mindful of excess calories from overconsumption or ultra-sugary cocktail mixing.
Conclusion
Crown Apple provides a tasty flavored whiskey option for those watching their calorie and carb intake. While not low-calorie, it remains moderate in calories compared to many liqueurs. Enjoy Crown Apple mindfully, limit portions, choose healthy mixers, and balance it out with an overall healthy diet. This allows you to savor the sweet apple flavor without going overboard on calories.
