How Many Calories Are in a Gin and Tonic Drink?
Enjoying a gin and tonic is a classic choice. It feels light, refreshing, and simple. But many people wonder: how many calories are you really drinking when you sip that G & T? In this post I break it down, explain what factors shift the numbers, and offer tips to enjoy one without going overboard.
What contributes to the calories
To figure out how many calories are in a gin and tonic drink, you must consider two main parts: the gin itself, and the mixer (tonic water). Each brings its own calories. In addition, there might be tiny contributions from garnishes or added flavors.
Gin is a distilled spirit, meaning it is mostly alcohol with flavoring botanicals. Alcohol contains about seven calories per gram (almost as much as fat). Because gin is strong, those calories add up quickly. The mixer you choose matters just as much, or more, since tonic water typically contains sugar.
When you combine the gin and tonic, it is not simply a matter of adding a fixed number. The total depends on how much gin you pour, how much tonic you use, the strength (proof or alcohol by volume) of the gin, and whether the tonic is full sugar or “light” / diet. Click HERE to learn the difference between Tonic and Club Soda.
Calorie counts in gin alone
Let us start with gin by itself. According to authoritative sources such as MedlinePlus, a 1.5-ounce serving of gin (about 45 ml) has roughly 97 calories when it is 80 proof. MedlinePlus If the gin is a higher proof, that number may be greater. Similarly, WebMD gives a figure of 64 calories per fluid ounce of gin (which equates to roughly the same estimate if scaled to 1.5 ounces). WebMD
In practice many gin & tonic recipes use a “single” pour of gin (around 25 ml in some countries) or a “double” pour (50 ml). Using British or European guides, Drinkaware notes that a single 25 ml shot of gin contains about 52 calories. Drinkaware A double of 50 ml then contains about 104 calories. With those numbers in mind, we can then look at how much tonic adds.
Calorie contribution from tonic water
Tonic water is not calorie free. It generally contains sugar or other sweeteners unless it is labeled a diet, low sugar, or zero sugar version. The calories in tonic water come from the sugars or carbohydrates in it.
How many calories? It varies by brand and serving size. Some references report that combining a regular tonic with a single gin measure gives a total of about 97 calories (meaning the tonic contributed somewhat under half of that).
Others cite larger overall numbers when larger volumes of tonic or more gin are used. For instance, in a typical 210 ml serving of gin and tonic, there might be about 170 calories in total (when using sugary tonic). The Independent
One data point: MyNetDiary reports that in 275 ml of gin and tonic (a larger drink) there are 161 calories, with about 39 g of carbs. MyNetDiary That implies a significant share from the tonic.
In general, regular tonic water can add anywhere from 40 to 90 calories (or more) depending on how much is used and how sweet it is.
Putting it together: typical totals
When you combine a standard pour of gin with tonic water, what do you get?
- A “base case” single pour of gin plus a modest amount of tonic often lands around 90 to 110 calories total, assuming regular tonic water. Some sources even suggest ~97 calories as a typical average.
- If you use a double measure of gin and a full serving of tonic, that can push the total to something like 150 to 180 calories or more. For instance, Drinkaware estimates that a 50 ml gin with tonic contains about 153 calories. Also, The Old G blog suggests a G & T session comes in around 182 to 185 calories if larger measures are used.
- In many real world settings, people may pour generously or use generous tonic proportions, pushing the calorie count upward of 160 to 200 calories.
Thus it is safe to say: a modest gin and tonic tends to fall somewhere in the 90–120 calorie range. A more generous version may creep into the 150–200 calorie zone.
Factors that shift the calorie count
Several variables determine where your particular gin and tonic lands in the calorie range:
- Pour size of gin
If you pour 25 ml versus 50 ml, you double the calories coming from the gin portion. - Strength of gin
Higher alcohol by volume (ABV) gins carry more calories per ml. - Volume of tonic water
More tonic means more sugar and calories. A tall glass with a lot of mixer pushes up the total. - Type of tonic
Diet, light, or zero-sugar tonic water can reduce the calories from the mixer to near zero. In that case your calorie total is nearly just the gin. Some sources say that a single gin with diet tonic has about 54 calories when using 25 ml gin.
But using diet tonic does not change calories from gin. - Garnishes or flavored additions
A twist of citrus or herbs adds negligible calories, but if someone adds fruit juice, syrups, or sweet flavorings, those will add more. - Glass size and ice
These don’t directly contribute calories, but they influence how much you pour and how diluted it may become.
Why knowing how many calories are in a gin and tonic drink matters
Calories from alcoholic drinks are often called “empty calories.” That is because they offer little to no nutritional benefit—no protein, fiber, or vitamins in meaningful amounts. The energy is simply from alcohol and sugars.
Because many drinkers do not account for those extra calories, drinking several alcoholic beverages in an evening can add up quickly and contribute to weight gain or prevent weight loss.
Understanding the calorie content helps you make informed decisions. For example, opting for a smaller pour, choosing diet tonic, or drinking fewer cocktails can help keep your intake within your daily goals.
How to enjoy a gin and tonic more mindfully
Here are some tips to enjoy your G & T with less guilt:
- Use a smaller measure of gin.
Stick to the “single” pour rather than a double or generous pour. - Choose a light or zero-sugar tonic water.
That cuts the mixer calories dramatically, leaving mostly the gin calories. - Go easier on the tonic volume.
Use just enough tonic to balance the gin, rather than filling the glass. - Use fresh citrus (lime, lemon) and herbs instead of sugary syrups or juice.
- Try gin with soda water if you want fewer calories.
Club soda or soda water has no calories, so you drink the gin flavor with bubbles but avoid sugar. Some sources list gin plus soda water as a lower calorie alternative. Health - Be aware of “free pours.”
At home or at bars, estimating by eye can lead to overpouring. Use a measuring jigger. - Space out your drinks and hydrate with water in between, which can help limit overconsumption.
Sample calorie estimates how many calories are in a gin and tonic drink
Here are a few illustrative examples (approximate):
| Scenario | Gin volume / ABV | Tonic type & volume | Estimated Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modest single | 25 ml, ~40% ABV | Regular tonic, small amount | ~ 90 to 110 |
| Standard single | 45 ml, ~40% ABV | Regular tonic filling glass | ~ 125 to 140 |
| Double pour | 50 ml | Regular tonic | ~ 150 |
| Generous | 60 ml or more | Large tonic | 160–200+ |
| Single + diet tonic | 25–45 ml gin | Zero sugar tonic | ~ gin calories alone, ~ 50 to 100 |
These are estimates. Your actual drink may vary.
Final thoughts on how many calories are in a gin and tonic drink
A gin and tonic is among the lighter classic cocktails when made simply. A modest version often lands in the 90-to-110 calorie range. More generous pours or sugary tonics can push the total higher. But compared to many cocktails that include sugary mixers, syrups, or juices, a G & T can be a relatively moderate option—so long as you keep an eye on the pour and mixer.
For your readers, you might emphasize the balance: you can enjoy a classic drink and still be mindful. Encourage them to choose slimmer tonics, measure the gin, and treat it as part of their overall intake rather than an afterthought. That way, Stus can advocate both enjoyment and awareness.
If you like, I can produce a version tailored more for your brand voice (with storytelling, imagery, or calls to action). Do you want me to adapt it further?