Is rum and coke low calorie?

Quick Answer

No, rum and coke is not considered a low calorie drink. A standard serving of rum and coke contains around 200 calories, which is moderate compared to other mixed drinks. The calories come primarily from the sugary Coca-Cola, while the rum itself is relatively low in calories. There are lower calorie options if you want a rum mixed drink, like mixing rum with diet coke, soda water, or other zero calorie mixers. But an authentic Cuba libre (rum and coke) will have a good amount of calories from the cola.

Calories in Rum vs Coke

Let’s break down where the calories come from in a rum and coke:

Rum:
– A 1.5 oz serving of rum contains around 100 calories. This includes both white and dark rums.
– The calories in rum come entirely from the alcohol itself. Pure distilled spirits like rum contain no carbs, fat, fiber or protein.
– Overall, rum is considered one of the lowest calorie liquors, next to vodka, gin, and tequila.

Coca-Cola:
– A 12 oz can of regular Coca-Cola contains 140 calories.
– The calories come from the high sugar content of the soda, totaling 39g per can.
– Coke also provides 34mg caffeine per serving.

Calories per Serving of Rum and Coke

A standard rum and coke is usually prepared as follows:

– 1.5 oz white rum
– 6-8 oz Coca-Cola
– Lime wedge for garnish

Given those proportions, a single rum and coke would contain roughly:

– Rum: 100 calories
– Coke: 80-100 calories
– Total: 180-200 calories

The rum content is relatively low calorie, while the majority of calories come from the Coca-Cola.

So compared to other mixed drinks like piña coladas, margaritas, or daiquiris which can easily top 500+ calories, a rum and coke is moderate in calories given its lower rum content and absence of high calorie mixers like cream or fruit juice.

But it still contains a good amount of calories from the Coke, so it is not considered a true low-calorie or light drink.

Lower Calorie Options

If you want to lighten up a rum and coke, here are some options to reduce the calories:

1. Use Diet Coke

Switching to sugar-free Diet Coke drops the calories significantly:

– Diet Coke: 0 calories
– 1.5 oz rum: 100 calories
– Total: ~100 calories

This option cuts the calories of a normal rum and coke almost in half. The taste will be lighter and less sweet, but all the rum flavor remains.

2. Soda water and lime

Skip the Coke entirely and use simple soda water:

– Soda water: 0 calories
– 1.5 oz rum: 100 calories
– Lime: negligible
– Total: 100 calories

The lime adds a touch of flavor to balance the rum, without adding calories. And soda water avoid the sugar content of Coke.

3. Diet cola mixer

Instead of Coke, use a diet cola like Pepsi Zero Sugar or Diet RC Cola:

– Diet cola: 0-1 calories
– 1.5 oz rum: 100 calories
– Total: 100-101 calories

This gives you the same fizzy cola taste, while removing nearly all the calories.

4. Cut the rum

Use less rum in your drink:

– 1 oz rum: ~65 calories
– 6-8 oz Coke: 80-100 calories
– Total: 145-165 calories

Having a 1 oz pour of rum instead of 1.5 oz can shave off 50 or so calories from the total.

Nutrition Facts

Here are the nutrition facts for a standard rum and coke, using 1.5 oz white rum and 6 oz Coca-Cola:

Serving size: 1 drink (177g)
Calories: 183
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 25g
Sugar: 25g
Protein: 0g

As you can see, all the carbs and sugar come from the Coke itself, while the rum contributes only calories and no macros.

To compare, here are the nutrition facts for a rum and diet coke:

Serving size: 1 drink (177g)
Calories: 96
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 1g
Sugar: 0g
Protein: 0g

Switching to diet cola removes virtually all the carbs and sugar, creating a much lower calorie drink.

The Bottom Line

In summary, an authentic rum and coke made the traditional way is not truly a low calorie cocktail. The Coca-Cola packs a solid amount of calories from sugar. But rum itself is reasonably low in calories for distilled spirits.

There are easy ways to lighten up the drink by using zero-calorie soda water, diet cola, or less rum. Any of these modifications can reduce the total calorie count substantially.

At around 200 calories, rum and coke is lower than most creamy blended drinks or juice-based cocktails. But the classic version still contains a good amount of calories primarily from the Coke. Choosing diet soda or other low-calorie mixers is the best way to keep calories in check while still enjoying this popular Cuban highball.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rum and diet coke low calorie?
Yes, rum and diet coke is considered a low calorie mixed drink. By using zero-calorie diet cola instead of regular Coke, you can reduce the calories of a rum and coke down to around 100 calories per serving.

How many calories in 1 shot of rum?
There are around 100 calories in a standard 1.5 oz shot of rum. This applies to most white and golden rums at 40% alcohol by volume. Dark rums may range from 90-110 calories per shot.

Is rum a low calorie alcohol?
Yes, rum is one of the lowest calorie liquors. It contains around 64 calories per ounce, which is even less than vodka at 70 calories per ounce. This makes it a good low calorie option for mixed drinks.

What’s healthier rum or vodka?
Rum and vodka have very similar nutritional profiles. They are both low in calories and carbs and contain no fat, protein, fiber or sugars. Vodka has slightly less calories by volume. In terms of health impact, there is little difference between rum and vodka.

How can I make rum and coke lower calorie?
Some ways to reduce the calories in rum and coke include: using diet cola instead of regular Coke, substituting soda water for Coke, reducing the amount of rum, or selecting a spiced rum which has slightly less calories than white rum per serving.

Conclusion

While rum itself is relatively low calorie for a distilled spirit, the inclusion of sugary Coca-Cola in a rum and coke increases the calorie count substantially. There are several easy ways to create a lower calorie version, either by using diet soda, cutting back on rum, or avoiding cola altogether. But an authentic Cuba libre made the traditional way does come with a good amount of calories, primarily from the Coke. So while delicious, a true classic rum and coke is not considered a low calorie cocktail option.

Leave a Comment