Añejo tequila (1.5 oz, 40% ABV) has about 97 calories and 0g carbs; cocktails and syrups raise totals fast.
1 oz Pour
1.5 oz Pour
2 oz Pour
Neat Or On The Rocks
- No sugar or carbs
- Aroma from oak aging
- Slow sip, smaller ice
zero-carb
Classic Margarita (Añejo)
- Base ~97 kcal
- + orange liqueur adds ~100
- Fresh lime adds ~8–10
watch sugars
Paloma Highball
- Base ~97 kcal
- Grapefruit soda adds ~80–100
- Top with ice & lime
depends on soda
Aged tequila gets its deep color and round vanilla spice from oak time, not from sugar. Straight pours carry energy from ethanol and little else. That’s why the numbers stay steady across brands when the proof matches.
Añejo Tequila Nutrition Guide: Pours, Calories, Carbs
Here’s the short math behind a standard pour. A 1.5-ounce jigger at 40% alcohol by volume holds about 14 grams of pure alcohol. Ethanol provides 7 calories per gram, so the total lands near 97 calories. With no fat, no protein, and zero carbohydrate, the macro line reads like a blank slate.
| Pour Size | Calories | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz (30 ml) | 65 | 0 |
| 1.5 oz (45 ml) | 97 | 0 |
| 2 oz (60 ml) | 129 | 0 |
| 3 oz (90 ml) | 194 | 0 |
Why The Numbers Look Flat
Distillation strips out sugars from the cooked agave juice, leaving alcohol and trace compounds that shape aroma. Oak aging adds tannin and color but not carbs. When bottles list 40% ABV, calories track to the same zone from pour to pour.
What Changes When You Mix It
Mixers move the needle. Citrus juice, liqueurs, and syrups add sugars that stack up quickly. Soda water keeps the count low, while grapefruit soda, ginger beer, or crème liqueurs send it higher. Cocktails can fit your plan; it just takes a quick look at portions.
Standard Drink Math Without Guesswork
Want a quick way to sanity-check totals? One standard drink of 80-proof spirits contains 14 grams of alcohol. Multiply grams of alcohol by 7 to estimate calories in the base spirit. For mixed drinks, add calories from juice, soda, or syrups to that base. For a ready back-of-napkin step, the NIAAA calorie calculator lets you plug in pours and see the math.
ABV Swings And Barrel Strength
Some bottles creep above 40% ABV. When the proof rises, calories rise too, since each gram of alcohol brings 7 calories. A 1.5-ounce pour at 42% ABV sits a touch above 100 calories; at 38% it lands a touch below 97.
Serving Style Tips That Help
A short rocks glass with a single large cube slows the pace and softens bite. A splash of chilled soda water stretches a pour without adding sugar. Fresh citrus oils from a peel boost aroma for zero calories. If you salt the rim, go light to keep sodium reasonable.
Aged Tequila Versus Mixers: The Real Swing
Think of the spirit as the steady base and everything else as the slider. A simple margarita made with lime juice and orange liqueur can double or triple the calorie count. A Paloma poured with grapefruit soda can do the same. If you like a sweeter profile, size the syrup so the drink stays balanced without overshooting.
Typical Cocktail Ranges
Numbers vary by recipe, but ranges help with quick planning. A pared-back stirred drink with a teaspoon of simple syrup adds about 16–20 calories. One ounce of triple sec adds about 100; two ounces of sweetened soda can add 25–60. Fresh lime juice adds a few calories and a lot of sparkle.
Why Labels Rarely Show Nutrition
Spirits aren’t required to carry a Nutrition Facts panel. Rules sit with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Proposed updates would allow an Alcohol Facts box with calories, carbs, protein, fat, and ABV per serving. You can read the latest notice in the Federal Register notice.
Make Mixers Work For You
Here’s a quick snapshot of add-ins you’ll meet in recipes. Use it to tune sweetness and keep the math honest.
| Add-In | Typical Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lime juice, 1 oz | 8–10 | Tart; bright acid |
| Agave syrup, 1 tsp | 20–21 | Quick sweetness |
| Simple syrup, 1 oz | 50–55 | Equal parts sugar + water |
| Orange liqueur, 1 oz | 90–110 | Adds sugar + alcohol |
| Grapefruit soda, 6 oz | 80–100 | Varies by brand |
| Ginger beer, 4 oz | 50–80 | Spice; read label |
Straight Pour, Better Choices
Pick glassware that suits slow sipping. A heavy tumbler with a wide rim helps with aroma. If you like chill without dilution, freeze whiskey stones and drop in two.
Simple Low-Sugar Templates
Try two easy builds. First: 1.5 oz aged tequila over one large cube with two dashes bitters and an orange peel. Second: 1.5 oz spirit, 3 oz soda water, squeeze of lime, and a pinch of salt. Both keep calories close to the base pour.
Portion, Pace, And Safety
Spacing drinks with water keeps the evening steady. If you choose to drink, align with public guidance: for adults who drink, women keep to one drink or less in a day, men keep to two or less. That’s a ceiling, not a target.
Flavor, Aging, And The Macro Line
Time in barrel shapes flavor. Expect caramel, cocoa, baking spice, and dried fruit notes. These come from oak and oxygen, not added sugar in straight bottles. If a brand uses a sweetened liqueur in a specialty bottling, the label will call it out as a different product style.
Food Pairing Ideas
Lean into char and acid. Grilled pineapple, a citrusy ceviche, or a seared steak taco match the oak tone nicely. Keep sides simple to let the glass shine.
Final Take For Sippers
You’re looking at a zero-carb spirit where calories come from alcohol, not sugar. Keep pours honest, watch mixers, and you can enjoy the oak-rich profile while steering clear of surprise totals.