Fireball whiskey has become an increasingly popular drink in recent years, especially among younger crowds looking for an affordable and tasty whiskey shot. But its sweet cinnamon flavor leaves many keto dieters wondering: Is Fireball keto friendly, or will it knock you out of ketosis?
What is Fireball Whiskey?
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey is a mixture of Canadian whisky, cinnamon flavoring and sweeteners that was first developed in Canada in the mid-1980s. It has an alcohol content of 33% ABV (66 proof).
The top ingredients in Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey are:
- Water
- Cinnamon Flavoring
- Whisky
- Sweeteners – including propylene glycol, sorbitol, sucralose, glycerol and high fructose corn syrup
- And less than 2% of natural flavors, FD&C Red 40, caramel coloring, oak extract flavoring, guar gum, etc.
So while it’s made from a base of Canadian whisky, Fireball has added sugars and sweeteners that give it its signature sweet-spicy cinnamon candy taste.
How Many Carbs Are in Fireball?
According to the nutrition facts label and company, Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey has:
- 3 grams of carbs
- 3 grams of sugar per 1.5 ounce (44ml) shot
Since most of the carbs in Fireball come from added sugars and sweeteners that are designed to make it tastes like red-hot candy, almost all 3g of carbs per shot can be counted as net carbs.
So a 1.5 ounce shot of Fireball contains approximately 2% of your daily 20g net carb limit on keto.
Will Fireball Whiskey Kick You Out of Ketosis?
Whether or not a shot or two of Fireball will knock you out of ketosis depends on a few factors:
- How many total carbs you’ve eaten – Fireball carbs will put you over your limit easier if you’ve already consumed close to 20g net carbs that day.
- Your personal carb tolerance – Some people can stay in ketosis with up to 50g per day, while others get kicked out at 22-25g.
- Timing – Consuming Fireball later in the day after your body has burned through some carb stores may mean it has less of an impact than earlier in the day.
Most people following a strict keto diet likely want to limit Fireball, since a single shot contains 2g net carbs, or 10% of a 20g/day limit.
However, Fireball whiskey likely won’t immediately knock you out of ketosis, unless consumed in excess or if you have a very low carb tolerance.
Tips for Drinking Fireball on a Ketogenic Diet
Here are some tips to enjoy an occasional Fireball shot without sabotaging your keto diet:
- Limit it to 1 shot max per day, and ideally less than 3-4x per week
- Consume it later in the day and/or after a workout when your body can burn through carbs faster
- Dilute it with extra water, club soda or zero carb mixers
- Avoid mixing it with sugary sodas or juices
- Stay under 20g net carbs from other foods on days you have Fireball
- Test ketones the next morning to see if it kicked you out of ketosis or not
How to Order Low Carb Fireball Drinks
While most bars will carry Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, it’s best to avoid popular high sugar Fireball mixes like:
- Fireball and Apple Cider – 21g carbs per 8oz
- Fireball and Ginger Ale – 32g carbs per 12oz
- Fireball and Coke – 39g carbs per 12oz
Instead, go for low carb Fireball mixed drinks like:
- Fireball and Diet Coke or Coke Zero
- Fireball and Seltzer Water
- Fireball and Sugar-free Red Bull
- Fireball and Unsweetened Iced Tea
- Fireball and Tea or Coffee (minus sugar)
A simple Fireball on the rocks or Fireball with a splash of club soda are your best low carb options when ordering out.
Can You Make Homemade Low Carb Fireball?
You can create a lower sugar homemade Fireball whiskey by mixing regular whiskey with your own cinnamon extract and low carb sweeteners like stevia or erythritol.
For example, you could try this recipe for a keto Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (250ml) whiskey (bourbon, rye or a Canadian blend)
- 2 tsp (8ml) liquid stevia extract
- 1 tsp (5ml) cinnamon extract
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Pinch of allspice
- 5 drops vanilla crème flavoring (optional)
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients except whiskey to a small glass jar. Shake vigorously to combine.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add 1 shot (1.5 oz or 45ml) of whiskey and 2-3 drops of the cinnamon mixture.
- Shake for 30 seconds until thoroughly mixed and chilled.
- Strain into a shot glass.
This makes a sugar-free Fireball substitute with just around 1g carb per shot. The exact carb count will vary based on sweeteners and base spirit used.
The Best Low Carb Whiskey Brands
If you want to steer clear of flavored whiskies like Fireball, go for one of these low carb straight whiskey options:
| Whiskey Type | Brands | Carbs per 1.5oz Shot |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey, Knob Creek, etc. | 0g |
| Scotch | Glenlivet, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, etc. | 0g |
| Irish | Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew, etc. | 0g |
| Rye | Bulleit, Templeton, WhistlePig, etc. | 0g |
| Japanese | Yamazaki, Hakushu, Nikka, etc. | 0g |
When it comes to drinking straight liquor, all types of whiskey are generally zero carb. So flavors like cinnamon, honey, maple, etc. are what adds sugar and carbs to whiskies like Fireball.
Should You Have Fireball on Keto: The Verdict
At around 2g net carbs per shot, Fireball most likely won’t immediately throw you out of ketosis or sabotage your keto diet – if consumed occasionally and in moderation.
However, it’s best limited to 1 shot max per day and no more than 3-4x per week if you want to remain in ketosis. Plus, diluting it with extra water or zero carb mixers helps minimize carbs.
Going for straight, unsweetened whiskey varieties like bourbon, scotch, rye and Irish whiskey are your best low carb options if limiting carbs is your main priority.
But an occasional Fireball shot or mixed drink won’t ruin your keto diet – as long as you account for the carbs and stay under your total daily limit.