Gin and Tonic: Calories, Nutrition and Health Benefits

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A gin and tonic (1.5 fl oz gin plus 4 fl oz regular tonic) has about 138 calories, 10.7g carbs, all of it sugar from the tonic, and no protein or fat. The gin supplies 97 of those calories from alcohol, and slimline tonic cuts the carbs to near zero.

Quick Nutrition Facts

Per 1 glass: 1.5 fl oz (42 g) gin + 4 fl oz (122 g) regular tonic

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	138 kcal
Protein	0g
Carbohydrates	10.7g
Fiber	0g
Sugars	10.7g
Fat	0g
Sodium	15 mg

Macronutrient Breakdown

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NUTRITIONIST'S INSIGHT

Most of a gin and tonic's calories come from the alcohol, not the mixer. USDA lists 80-proof gin at 97 kcal per 1.5 fl oz with 0g carbohydrate, and regular tonic at 34 kcal and 8.8g sugar per 100 g, so 4 fl oz of tonic adds about 41 kcal and 10.7g sugar. Two things move the total: the pour and the tonic. A double gin adds another 97 kcal, while switching to slimline tonic removes about 41 kcal and nearly all the sugar. Alcohol has 7 kcal per gram and no nutrients, so count the drink in your day's calories even though the label shows no carbs for the gin. The NIAAA defines one standard drink of 80-proof spirits as 1.5 fl oz, so a bar double is two.

Myth Busters

MYTH #1: Gin has carbs, which is why a gin and tonic is fattening

TRUTH: Plain 80-proof gin has 0g carbohydrate, 0g sugar and 0g fat per USDA. Its 97 kcal per 1.5 fl oz come from alcohol. The carbs in the glass come from regular tonic. Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 80 proof

MYTH #2: Tonic water is just fizzy water, so it adds nothing

TRUTH: Regular tonic is a sweetened soft drink. USDA lists 34 kcal and 8.8g sugar per 100 g, so 4 fl oz adds about 41 kcal and 10.7g sugar, and a full 336 g bottle has about 30g. Beverages, carbonated, tonic water (SR Legacy, FDC 171869)

MYTH #3: A single gin and tonic is a diet-friendly drink under 100 calories

TRUTH: Gin alone is 97 kcal per 1.5 fl oz. With regular tonic the glass is about 138 kcal, and a double with regular tonic is about 235 kcal. Only slimline tonic keeps the glass near the gin's 97 kcal. Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 80 proof; Beverages, carbonated, tonic water (SR Legacy, FDC 171869)

MYTH #4: A gin and tonic is safe for people with diabetes because gin has no sugar

TRUTH: The American Diabetes Association names low blood sugar as the biggest concern with alcohol, because the liver processes alcohol before managing glucose. Lows can come hours later and especially without food. The sugar in regular tonic is a smaller issue than the alcohol. Alcohol and Diabetes

MYTH #5: Doubles count as one drink

TRUTH: NIAAA defines one standard drink of 80-proof spirits as 1.5 fl oz (about 14g of pure alcohol). A 3 fl oz double is two standard drinks and about 194 kcal from the gin alone. What Is A Standard Drink?; Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 80 proof

NutriScore by Health Goals

Health Goal	NutriScore	Why This Score?
Weight Loss		About 138 kcal with no protein or fiber, and alcohol calories add up across rounds. Slimline tonic lowers it to about 97 kcal. Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 80 proof; Beverages, carbonated, tonic water (SR Legacy, FDC 171869)
High Protein		0g protein per USDA. Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 80 proof
Low Carb / Keto		Gin has 0g carbohydrate. With regular tonic the glass has 10.7g, and with slimline tonic close to none. Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 80 proof; Beverages, carbonated, tonic water (SR Legacy, FDC 171869)
Heart Health		Alcohol provides calories without nutrients and has no heart-health benefit to count on, so keep to standard-drink limits. What Is A Standard Drink?
Diabetes Management		Alcohol raises the risk of delayed low blood sugar, and regular tonic adds 10.7g sugar. Eat with it and ask your doctor what is safe. Alcohol and Diabetes; Beverages, carbonated, tonic water (SR Legacy, FDC 171869)
Muscle Gain		No protein, and alcohol calories do not help a bulk. Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 80 proof

PERSONALIZED NUTRITION

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Blood Sugar Response - Gin and Tonic (1.5 fl oz gin + 4 fl oz tonic)

The 10.7g of sugar in the tonic is a liquid carb that raises blood sugar for a short time, and the gin adds none. With slimline tonic the rise is negligible. Alcohol itself can lower blood sugar hours later, especially on an empty stomach. Beverages, carbonated, tonic water (SR Legacy, FDC 171869); Alcohol and Diabetes

Estimated Blood Glucose Response (mg/dL)

Illustrative curve for a healthy adult drinking one regular gin and tonic with food. Individual response, the amount of tonic and whether you have eaten all change it.

How to flatten the spike

Choose slimline tonic to remove most of the sugar.
Drink it with a meal or snack, since food protects against alcohol-related lows.
Check blood sugar later in the evening if you take insulin or sulfonylureas.
Measure the gin pour, because a double is two standard drinks.

Cultural Significance

The gin and tonic began as a British colonial drink in India, where tonic water with quinine was taken against malaria and gin made it palatable. It is now a pub and bar staple in the UK and a national ritual in Spain, where it is served in a large balloon glass with garnishes. Searches for its calories often ask whether a single measure (25 ml in the UK) differs from a double and how slimline tonic changes the total, which is why this page shows each version.

Compare & Substitute

Gin and Tonic vs Similar Foods

Nutrient	Gin with slimline tonic (1.5 fl oz + 4 fl oz)	Double gin and regular tonic (3 fl oz + 4 fl oz)	Vodka soda (1.5 fl oz vodka + soda water)
Calories	97 kcal	235 kcal	97 kcal
Protein	0g	0g	0g
Carbohydrates	0g	10.7g	0g
Fat	0g	0g	0g

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in a gin and tonic?

About 138 calories for 1.5 fl oz of gin with 4 fl oz of regular tonic: 97 from the gin and about 41 from the tonic.

How many calories are in a gin and slimline tonic?

About 97 calories, since the gin supplies them and most slimline tonics list 0 to 2 kcal. Check the label of your brand.

How many calories are in a double gin and tonic?

About 235 calories with regular tonic: 194 from 3 fl oz of gin and about 41 from 4 fl oz of tonic.

Does a gin and tonic have sugar?

Yes, from the tonic. Regular tonic has 8.8g sugar per 100 g, so 4 fl oz adds about 10.7g and a full 336 g bottle about 30g. Gin has none.

How many standard drinks are in a gin and tonic?

A 1.5 fl oz pour of 80-proof gin is one standard drink, about 14g of pure alcohol. A double is two.

Is a gin and tonic okay with diabetes?

Ask your doctor. The American Diabetes Association warns that alcohol can cause low blood sugar, including hours later, and recommends having food with it. Slimline tonic avoids the added sugar.