Gin FAQs - Dietary Information
When consuming any food or drink it is important to be aware of the ingredients and alcohol content of each product, especially when you follow a specific diet or have a dietary intolerance. Find the answers to some of the most important and frequently asked questions about gin's ingredients and dietary information, including:
- Is gin vegan?
- Is gin gluten free?
- How much alcohol is in gin?
- Does gin contain sugar / how much sugar is in gin?
- How many calories are in gin?
- How many calories in a Gin & Tonic?
Is gin vegan?
If you have a vegan diet, most gins can stay on the table! The majority of gins are suitable for vegans - the main exceptions to be aware of are gins made with honey (such as Keepr's Honey Gin, Cuckoo Sunshine Gin, Lytham Bee's Knees Gin and Kirkjuvagr Beyla Gin) and some gins which have been coloured or given physical additives (e.g. shimmer). Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
If you have a vegan diet, most gins can stay on the table! The majority of gins are suitable for vegans - the main exceptions to be aware of are gins made with honey (such as Keepr's Honey Gin, Cuckoo Sunshine Gin, Lytham Bee's Knees Gin and Kirkjuvagr Beyla Gin) and some gins which have been coloured or given physical additives (e.g. shimmer). Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
Is gin gluten-free?
The Coeliac Disease Foundation states that distilled alcohol does not contain gluten peptides. Therefore, although gin is typically made with distilled rye, wheat or barley spirit, it is a popular choice with coeliacs. Some flavoured gins or gins with additives (e.g. shimmer) may have had ingredients added which contain gluten or have been in contact with gluten. Gin cocktails and pre-mixed gin drinks may also contain gluten or have come into contact with gluten. Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
The Coeliac Disease Foundation states that distilled alcohol does not contain gluten peptides. Therefore, although gin is typically made with distilled rye, wheat or barley spirit, it is a popular choice with coeliacs. Some flavoured gins or gins with additives (e.g. shimmer) may have had ingredients added which contain gluten or have been in contact with gluten. Gin cocktails and pre-mixed gin drinks may also contain gluten or have come into contact with gluten. Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
How much alcohol is in gin?
Unlike Scotch whisky, gin is not subject to strict rules on its alcohol content. Across the world, gins vary in alcohol by volume (ABV) from 37.5% to more than 80%, but most are at the lower end of this range - around 40% ABV. At 40% ABV this is approximately 1 unit of alcohol in a 25ml serving. Gins labelled as 'Navy Strength Gin' will typically be 57% - 58% ABV.
Bonus Fact: Where gin regulations do exist they vary from one country to another. In the EU, gins must have a minimum of 37.5% ABV to be labelled as 'Gin', while in the USA it is 40%. In other parts of the world, such as Australia, the same regulations do not exist for gin. Always read the label or contact the producer for the specific ABV of each gin.
Unlike Scotch whisky, gin is not subject to strict rules on its alcohol content. Across the world, gins vary in alcohol by volume (ABV) from 37.5% to more than 80%, but most are at the lower end of this range - around 40% ABV. At 40% ABV this is approximately 1 unit of alcohol in a 25ml serving. Gins labelled as 'Navy Strength Gin' will typically be 57% - 58% ABV.
Bonus Fact: Where gin regulations do exist they vary from one country to another. In the EU, gins must have a minimum of 37.5% ABV to be labelled as 'Gin', while in the USA it is 40%. In other parts of the world, such as Australia, the same regulations do not exist for gin. Always read the label or contact the producer for the specific ABV of each gin.
Does gin contain sugar & how much sugar is in gin?
Classic Gins: No notable amounts of sugar make it through the typical gin distilling process, so pure distilled and unflavoured gin should be sugar-free. EU legislations state that a London Dry Gin must not have sugar added after distillation.
Flavoured Gins: While is very rare for producers to add sugar to classic style gins, it is not common to do so in Flavoured Gins. Especially in gins flavoured with sharp or tart ingredients, such as rhubarb or berries, there are examples with notable sugar content. A MailOnline article in 2019 reported that some popular flavoured gins contain up to 15 teaspoons of sugar per bottle. At the same time, there are many drier style flavoured gins and 'Pink Gins' that do not contain added sugar.
Old Tom Gins: Old Tom Gins are a traditional, sweetened style of gin which are typically sweetened with sugar, honey or through ageing in barrels.
Tonic/Mixers: if you've ever spilt a bottle of tonic, you'll know that they can be very sticky. Some tonics waters, mixers, pre-mixed gin drinks and gin cocktails can contain notable amounts of sugar.
Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
Classic Gins: No notable amounts of sugar make it through the typical gin distilling process, so pure distilled and unflavoured gin should be sugar-free. EU legislations state that a London Dry Gin must not have sugar added after distillation.
Flavoured Gins: While is very rare for producers to add sugar to classic style gins, it is not common to do so in Flavoured Gins. Especially in gins flavoured with sharp or tart ingredients, such as rhubarb or berries, there are examples with notable sugar content. A MailOnline article in 2019 reported that some popular flavoured gins contain up to 15 teaspoons of sugar per bottle. At the same time, there are many drier style flavoured gins and 'Pink Gins' that do not contain added sugar.
Old Tom Gins: Old Tom Gins are a traditional, sweetened style of gin which are typically sweetened with sugar, honey or through ageing in barrels.
Tonic/Mixers: if you've ever spilt a bottle of tonic, you'll know that they can be very sticky. Some tonics waters, mixers, pre-mixed gin drinks and gin cocktails can contain notable amounts of sugar.
Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
How many calories are in gin?
While stats vary slightly be source, a classic gin (unsweetened and unflavoured) is reported to contain approximately 60 calories in a 25ml shot of 40% ABV gin. This is approximately 72 calories in an ounce of gin – around 3% of a typically recommended daily calorie intake. The exact calorie content can vary from one gin to another and sweetened and flavoured gins can contain significantly more calories. Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
While stats vary slightly be source, a classic gin (unsweetened and unflavoured) is reported to contain approximately 60 calories in a 25ml shot of 40% ABV gin. This is approximately 72 calories in an ounce of gin – around 3% of a typically recommended daily calorie intake. The exact calorie content can vary from one gin to another and sweetened and flavoured gins can contain significantly more calories. Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
How many calories in a Gin & Tonic?
DrinkAware.co.uk reports that a Gin & Tonic made with a 25ml shot of 37.5% ABV gin contains 97 calories - the same as a buttered crumpet. DrinkAware.co.uk also reports that a G&T made with a double shot of gin contains 149 calories. This can vary significantly as some Light Tonic Waters contain 0 calories and some tonics and gins (especially flavoured and sweetened gins) contain notable amounts of sugar and flavourings. Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
DrinkAware.co.uk reports that a Gin & Tonic made with a 25ml shot of 37.5% ABV gin contains 97 calories - the same as a buttered crumpet. DrinkAware.co.uk also reports that a G&T made with a double shot of gin contains 149 calories. This can vary significantly as some Light Tonic Waters contain 0 calories and some tonics and gins (especially flavoured and sweetened gins) contain notable amounts of sugar and flavourings. Always read the label or contact the producer for specific details on each gin.
Do you have another question about gin or gin ingredients? Let us know!
Also read our FAQs on gin storage.
Also read our FAQs on gin storage.
