Best Whiskey To Drink On A Diet

Looking to savor a glass of whiskey but worried about your diet? You’re in luck! Our guide on the “Top 10 Whiskeys to Drink on a Diet” is here to help you navigate through the world of whiskey without compromising your health goals.

Whether you’re counting calories, cutting down on sugar, or sticking to a low-carb regimen, we’ve got you covered. From the smoky depths of Scotch Single Malt to the smooth embrace of Irish Whiskey, our selection promises flavor-packed options that align with your diet. So, grab a glass and get ready to explore our top picks for diet-friendly whiskeys that don’t skimp on taste.

Cheers to enjoying the finer sips in life, guilt-free!

Can You Fit Whiskey Into A Diet?

Yes, and here’s why. Everything you eat or drink affects your body. A diet is you controlling what you eat or drink to achieve a specific effect on your body. This may be bulking up, or losing weight, or avoiding allergies, but you get the idea. Whiskey is no exception here.

We’ll go into all the fine details later. For now, let’s simply say that whiskey doesn’t have anything that would disallow it from fitting into a diet. Thanks to the fermenting and distillation process that every whiskey goes through, it has almost no carbohydrates or sugars. It still has calories, but not very much.

The other reason to go for whiskey is that since it can fit into almost any diet, you can use it to add a bit of flavor to your diet. Whiskey is excellent for this, as just about any type of whiskey has depths of flavor that you can explore and enjoy. If you find that your diet restricts you to boring food, whiskey can give you a splash of excitement without breaking your diet.

Whiskey Nutrition Information

So we’ve said that whiskey is low-calorie, and has practically no carbohydrates and sugars. Let’s quantify that in numerical terms. Observe this table:

Comparative Calorie and Carbohydrate Content Table

Beverage Type	Average Calories per Serving	Carbohydrates (g) per Serving
Scotch Single Malt	70	0
Bourbon	70	0
Rye Whiskey	70	0
Irish Whiskey	70	0
Beer (12 oz)	153	13
Red Wine (5 oz)	125	4
White Wine (5 oz)	121	4
Sugary Cocktail (e.g., Margarita)	250+	20+

You’ll note that this is regardless of the type of whiskey. It’s the same deal for sugars. Whiskey is made from fermented grains, and that process converts most of the sugars into alcohol.

These qualities also mean that whiskey can be slotted into pretty much any diet. Most diets can fit an extra 70 calories without modification, so you can still enjoy a glass of whiskey without any worry. Same deal if someone invites you to have a drink of whiskey. For reference, a small papaya is about 68 calories, a cup of cooked beets is 74 calories.

The key is to take whiskey without any mixers. Most drink mixers tend to be sugary and high in calories – compare the numbers for a cocktail on the above table, compared to just whiskey. The good thing is that whiskey has depth of flavor on its own, and you can already create a lot of variation just by adding a little bit of water or some ice cubes. Diet-conscious whiskey drinkers can still explore a wide range of flavors just by taking whiskey neat, with water, and on the rocks.

However, remember that whiskey is an alcoholic drink. All of the above goes out of the window if you drink too much. Always drink in moderation.

#1 Whiskey for a Diet: Single Malt Scotch

Single Malt Scotch is just about the best choice you can get if you’re diet-conscious. It has all the nutritional qualities of whiskey we already covered, and it has a depth and range of intricate flavors that you’ll never need additives to enjoy. Single Malt Scotch is best neat, the better to take in all the flavors it bears.

Moreover, the various regions and distilleries mean that there’s a wide range of flavors available. You can explore the wide world of Single Malt Scotch, from fruity Speyside to peaty Islay, and still remain within your diet.

#2 Whiskey for a Diet: Irish Whiskey

Irish Whiskey secures its place as the second-best option for diet-watchers due to its smooth, light characteristics. That smooth lightness lets it remain enjoyable in the simplest of forms, so whether you’re taking it neat, with a little water, or on the rocks, it’s still a tasting experience unlike any other. Mixing it would just get in the way of its natural flavor.

Irish whiskey typically has notes of vanilla, honey, and fruit, but exact taste all depends on the label. Don’t be afraid to explore! There are a lot of Irish whiskies out there, and you can still try them out even while dieting.

#3 Whiskey for a Diet: Bourbon

Our third pick is bourbon. It’s made from corn, while the previous two whiskies are made with malted barley. That gives bourbon a rich and full-bodied flavor profile, on the sweeter side compared to others. It has a warmth and depth not found in many other whiskies, and it’s a tasting experience best savored without mixers.

It still has no carbohydrates or sugars and maintains the low calorie count typical of all whiskies, and thus is an excellent choice for the diet-conscious. It’s also an excellent contrast to the previous two whiskies if you’d like to try something new.

#4 Whiskey for a Diet: Rye Whiskey

Rye Whiskey is our fourth top pick to drink while on a diet. It’s made similarly to bourbon, but its main grain is rye. Rye whiskey has a spicy, bold flavor that few other whiskey types have. It’s drier and more intense, and all achieved without any added sugars or artificial flavors. The robust nature of rye whiskey makes for a deeply satisfying drinking experience.

We highly recommend picking up a bottle of rye whiskey, even if you’re on a diet. The rye spice is something to be tried at least once, and if you find you like it, it’s a whole new twist on whiskey that anyone can appreciate.

#5 Whiskey for a Diet: Tennessee Whiskey

Tennessee Whiskey is our fifth choice for diet-friendly whiskies. Strictly speaking, it has the same requirements as bourbon, with one notable difference. Tennessee whiskey uses the Lincoln County Process, which is filtering the whiskey through maple charcoal. This gives Tennessee whiskey a characteristic smoothness, enhancing its flavor.

It’s just as low-calorie, carbohydrate-free, and sugar-free as other whiskies, and so we highly recommend giving Tennessee whiskey a try.

#6 Whiskey for a Diet: Japanese Whiskey

Japanese Whiskey is our sixth pick for diet-friendly whiskey. It’s got light and subtle flavors, and also an excellent range of possible flavors. And with 96 operating distilleries in Japan, there’s a wide range of whiskies to try. You can go from delicate floral to deeply smoky without ever once leaving Japan. They truly have taken the art of whiskey distillation and made it their own.

You can have both a refined whiskey experience and a health-focused diet with just Japanese whiskey, and we highly recommend giving it a try.

#7 Whiskey for a Diet: Canadian Whisky

Our seventh pick is Canadian Whisky. It’s made with a blend of grains, giving it a flavor spectrum that may go anywhere from sweet and fruity to rich and woody. It goes down smooth and light, making it easy to drink even without any mixers. Try it neat, with a little water, or on the rocks, and it opens up nicely. And it’s still a whiskey, so low in calories, no carbohydrates, and no sugar at all.

Most Canadian whiskies tend to be blended, and it’s interesting to compare them to Single Malt Scotch, where it’s all from the same distillery. Canadian whiskey is worth trying as a contrast, and you can do that without breaking your diet!

#8 Whiskey for a Diet: Blended Scotch Whisky

Eighth on our list is Blended Scotch Whiskies. It’s made by mixing malt and grain whiskies together, creating a harmonious blend that you can try even on a diet. The blending can produce just about any flavor profile, depending on the specific whiskies that went into it. But whether it’s a blend that’s smooth and mellow or one that’s rich and complex, it’s still done without any added sugars or artificial flavors.

There are a lot of things to explore with Scotch, and that holds whether it’s single malt or blended. Best of all, you can still explore it and remain diet-adherent.

#9 Whiskey for a Diet: American Craft Whiskey

Our ninth choice is American Craft Whiskey. The big distilleries might have the name recognition, but we can’t overlook the innovation and diversity of the United States’ small-scale distilleries. These whiskies can be untraditional in so many ways: experimental aging techniques, unconventional grains, inventive distillation methods, and more besides. Whatever craft whiskey you buy, you can guarantee the result will be interesting.

If you’re willing to take a walk on the wild side, American Craft Whiskey lets you explore all the possibilities in whiskey making without having to stray out of your diet.

#10 Whiskey for a Diet: Cask Strength Whiskey

Cask Strength Whiskey secures the tenth position for those on a diet. Strictly speaking, any of the above non-blended whiskies can be cask strength, but we’re covering it differently because it’s a different experience. It’s bottled straight from the cask, so it’s an undiluted, potent experience. The high alcohol content means that it’s better enjoyed in smaller servings, which means lesser overall calorie intake compared to the usual for whiskey, while still maintaining the richness of the experience.

If you want to limit your intake while still getting the full flavor, Cask Strength Whiskey is the perfect solution. It’s still low in calories, with no carbohydrates or sugars, and thus a good choice for the diet.

How To Enjoy Whiskey On A Diet?

To enjoy whiskey without compromising your diet, you need to adopt mindful drinking habits. This will ensure that you can enjoy the rich flavors of whiskey while staying true to your health and dietary goals.

Measure Servings

Carefully measuring servings is a good way to integrate whiskey into a health-conscious lifestyle. By controlling the amount of whiskey consumed, you can enjoy the beverage’s complex flavors without exceeding your caloric allowance. This approach helps ensure that whiskey remains a pleasurable part of a balanced diet.

Avoid Sugary Mixers

Avoiding sugary mixers will significantly reduce calorie intake. Whiskey already has a lot of natural flavors that can be brought out if it’s served neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water, that sugary mixers won’t be all that necessary to get the full tasting experience. The less sugar in your diet, the better.

Drink Water Between Servings

Drinking water between servings of whiskey is beneficial for both hydration and pacing your alcohol intake. Alcohol of any kind dehydrates you, so it’s good to drink water to counteract that effect. Water also cleanses the palate, letting you better enjoy the taste of whiskey while also limiting the amount of alcohol you consume. This method supports both dietary and health considerations, allowing for a more enjoyable and responsible whiskey experience.