It’s the drink that’s taken the nation by storm. After all, isn’t everyone drinking G&Ts and gin-based cocktails nowadays? From Graham Norton to The Queen, to the priest in BBC1’s hit series, Fleabag; it seems us Brits can’t get enough of the stuff.
Perhaps, it’s why, Google searches for ‘how many calories in a gin and tonic’ are on the up.
Your love of gin
Sales in gin have almost doubled in the past two years, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, with 73m bottles sold in 2018. M&S reported a 24% rise in the sales of its canned G&T following the Fleabag appearance, while Waitrose has recently launched ‘Gin O’Clock’, an at-home gin tasting experience (think five different gins delivered to your door for pairing with Fever-Tree tonic waters by an expert). Nice.
But what impact are all these Bank Holiday G&T sessions having on your wellness gains?
Is gin healthy?
After all, gin is a spirit, with an ABV of anywhere between 37.5% to 50% (wine, in comparison, is more like 12.5-14.5%). And, despite Brexit stealing the headlines, there have still be news stories around the negatives of drinking alcohol – it’s been linked with brain damage, reduced brain growth and high blood pressure in the past couple of months alone.
So, to get to the bottom of this all-importance question, and to find out exactly what nutrition is lurking in the calories of a G&T, we caught up with registered nutritionist Rob Hobson, for his expert insight into the health benefits of the ‘ginaissance’.
How many calories are in a gin and tonic?
Let’s get straight down to business and find out how many calories are in a G&T.
Just gin
Single shot = 61 calories
Double shot = 122 calories
Served with 150ml regular tonic
Single = 93 calories
Double = 154 calories
Served with 150ml slimline tonic
Single = 64 calories
Double = 125 calories
And, before you start umming and ahhing over which of the UK’s 361 distilleries to choose between (not to mention those from abroad), no, the difference in calories between gin producers is negligible says Hobson. Even between tonic waters, it’s not that significant.
HOW DOES GIN COMPARE TO VODKA?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture – the UK equivalent has not released this information – the calories in vodka and gin are identical as long as the proof they have the same proof.
One thing to note is often vodka will be served with soda water, which is normally calorie and sugar-free because it’s essentially sparkling water. Tonic, that’s served with gin, does contain sugar so increases the calorie content.