Gin and slimline tonic has become an incredibly popular, and fashionable drink over the last couple of years. But have you ever wondered how many calories are actually in a gin and slimline tonic?
The gin and tonic has become known for being the lighter, and guilt-free choice of alcohol. I mean, anything with slimline in the name is almost healthy, right?
When it comes to choosing our alcoholic drinks, we are all aware of the hidden calories in a large glass of wine, or a pint of lager, but it’s still hard to know how many calories we consume in our favourite drinks.
Well, we’re going to take a look at how good for you this botanical spirit really is, and how many calories a gin and slimline tonic actually contains!
What is gin made of?
Gin is an alcoholic spirit and is created from distillation of products such as barley, wheat, grapes or even potatoes.
Of course, gin doesn’t get its unique flavour from potatoes!
During the production, gin is infused with botanicals, which can vary greatly but will always include juniper. In fact, if juniper isn’t infused into the spirit then by law it can’t actually be labelled gin!
Photo credit: Jez Timms via Unsplash
Since the recent gin revolution, all sorts of botanicals and flavours are now infused into gin, including herbs, seeds, berries, oranges and even rhubarb!
If you want to get technical – which we won’t – many gins are now produced under the label “gin liquor”, which is technically not a gin. These labels will more than likely include extra sugars, sweeteners, and flavours.
So, if gin is basically pure alcohol, what are the gin and slimline tonic calories?
How many calories in gin and slimline tonic?
Well, as gin is a spirit, it is unlikely to contain many calories in comparison to other alcoholic drinks that we regularly enjoy. A glass of wine, for example, can contain between 125 – 200 calories, depending on the brand!
Luckily, for all the gin drinkers out there, this botanical spirit contains a lot less than that!
But how many does it contain?
On average, a standard measure (25ml) of house gin will contain around 59 calories. When compared to the large glass of wine, it sounds surprisingly good!
Of course, the calories in a standard measure of gin will also vary depending on the type of gin you enjoy. Have a habit of choosing the sweeter, flavoured gin? You can expect the calories to increase – and also the level of sugar, too!
Unfortunately for us gin drinkers, it is what we consume our spirit with that can bump up the calories.
So, the question is, how many calories are in a gin and tonic compared to a gin and slimline tonic calories?
Let’s find out!
Gin and slimline tonic calories: how many does it contain?
Let’s first take a look at the number of calories found in a regular tonic water.
There is, in actual fact, 124 calories in regular tonic water, making your gin and regular tonic around 200 calories. Yikes – not feeling so smug compared to the glass of wine now!
Thankfully, you can reduce the calories in a gin and tonic, by switching to slimline.
The amazing news? There are actually 3 calories in a slimline tonic. Yes, you read that right – 3!
So, gin and slimline tonic calories actually add up to about 62 calories! We can now all relax safely in the knowledge that a gin and slimline tonic is relatively guilt free!
Photo credit:
Nikolay Dimitrov via Unsplash
A quick reminder here though that despite the low calories, drinking should still be kept to moderation.
But now we know that gin is relatively low calorie for an alcoholic drink, and it is infused with many different seeds, fruits, and berries – we wonder, are there any health benefits to gin?
Does gin have any health benefits?
Honestly, we’d be hard pushed to find a huge amount of health benefits to gin, or any alcoholic drink really.
However, that being said, gin is infused with juniper berries, and often blueberries, grapes, and various seeds.
It is likely then, that gin will include antioxidants, vitamins and even properties that can help with digestion. Of course, the issue is how much of that you will be ingesting within a 25ml standard shot, probably not a great deal!
Obviously, the great thing about enjoying a gin and slimline tonic – with low calories! – is that you can add fresh fruit to your favourite beverage.
The addition of blueberries, strawberries and orange slices not only add great, natural flavours to your drink but also make it that little bit healthier!
So, now we know the gin and slimline tonic calories, let’s look at how to make a perfect, classic gin and slimline tonic!
How to make the perfect gin and slimline tonic
We’ve all had one of those days where we’ve fancied a gin and slimline tonic and realised the ice tray is empty, we’re out of lemons and the tonic is warm and/or flat.
Making a G & T at home can sometimes leave you disappointed, and it never quite compares to the one you order at the gin bar (which might cost a fortune bu hey, it’s worth it).
Photo credit: Michele Blackwell via Unsplash
Well, to avoid this disappointment again, we’re going to tell you how to make the perfect gin and slimline tonic!
You will need:
- London dry gin of your choice
- Slimline tonic water (chilled)
- Ice cubes
- Lime or lemon wedges or any fruit you fancy
- Your fanciest glass
- Fill your fancy glass with ice – we recommend at least 6 cubes.
- Measure out a standard size 25ml of gin and add to the glass.
- Squeeze the lemon or lime wedges into the glass. If you are using berries, crush them into the glass.
- Add the chilled slimline tonic water and stir gently.
- Garnish your completed gin and slimline tonic with another wedge of lime or add a couple of berries for a professional look.
- Enjoy!
So, the gin and tonic is not only a classic, yet fashionable drink, it is also relatively guilt-free too! We think this might be the best news we’ve heard just in time for summer!
Is gin and slimline tonic your drink of choice? Tell us in the comments below!
