Does Honey Whiskey Have Sugar?
No matter how good it tastes, honey whiskey doesn’t come without consequences. With the sweet, robust flavors that pour from that bottle of booze, hidden in the mix is a slew of sugar. It’s enough to leave any health-conscious whiskey-taker quivering in their boots. Whether you’re mixing this golden elixir into a cocktail or nursing it neat, it pays to know what you’re sipping on… and in this case, that goes double for the sugar content.
The Sugar Content of Honey Whiskey
Honey whiskey is sweeter than its whiskey counterparts. But, that doesn’t mean to say it’s loaded with sugar. In the grand scheme of things, honey whiskey has around the same sugar content as regular whiskey. On average, you’ll be looking at around 0.2 grams of sugar per ounce. Yep, you read that right – that’s only two-thousandths of a single gram.
It’s not a lot of sugar, but there’s still some there nonetheless. And, while that doesn’t sound like much for a single shot, it adds up over time. After all, drinks like the Bee’s Knees would typically require three shots of honey whiskey. So, be sure to keep an eye on your intake.
The Honey Whiskey Backstory
Honey whiskey is just one of the many whiskey-based concoctions you’ll find in modern barrooms. To make it, distillers blend a smooth Scotch whiskey with all-natural honey, giving rise to the flavor that drives us all wild. And, while distillers usually stick to the same batch order, some like to mix things up by including additional flavors, like hints of orange, lemon, and even cardamom.
With its golden color and smooth-rich taste, it’s easy to see why honey whiskey is the perfect union of whiskey and sweetness. Often served straight up, mixed in cocktails, or even in desserts, honey whiskey is the kind of flavor you simply can’t resist.
The Basis of Honey Whiskey
The best honey whiskeys are made from Scotch or Bourbon, so it’s always a good idea to check the label on the bottle. To make your own at home, you’ll start by blending your favorite whiskey with a generous helping of honey. Mixed together, these two will be the basis for any good honey whiskey.
But, don’t skimp on the honey. While it may be the token sweetener, it’s also the source of flavor here. Thankfully, the basics don’t take much work; you just need to stir the mixture and keep it in a secure location for around two weeks. From here, you can then test its taste and sweetness and tweak your ratios as you see fit.
The Final Word
So, does honey whiskey have sugar? Yes, but not a whole lot. All things considered, honey whiskey has the same sugar content as regular whiskey. But, restrained intakes can help you keep your levels in check. And, if you know what you’re looking for, you can make your own at home too. All it takes is a good whiskey bases and a generous helping of honey.
The Versatility of Honey Whiskey
From cocktails to desserts, honey whiskey is as versatile as it is delicious. Traditionally, it’s served neat, and on the rocks; but, various variations make for exciting cocktails, like the classic Bee’s Knees. And, best of all, making your own is fairly easy. All you need is a secure storage location, along with whiskey and honey.
But, we can also use honey whiskey to make our desserts more interesting. Honey Whiskey Ice Cream is a great example, as is a Honey Whiskey Fruit Cake. With each iteration, we’re getting more and more creative.
Health-Conscious Options
In the spirit of health-consciousness, you can also opt for lower-sugar versions. Low-sugar Whiskeys are now available, giving us a lighter option with a lot less guilt.
For the health-conscious whiskey drinker, this is great news. Now, we can enjoy the same flavors, without having to worry about the consequences. Honey whiskeys are still sweeter than regular whiskeys, but they won’t weigh you down with unnecessary sugar. So, you can still enjoy your favorite beverages, without any of the guilt.
The Delicious Combination of Taste and Health
If you’re looking to enjoy the robust flavor of whiskey and the sweetness of honey without all the sugar, your best bet is to opt for a low-sugar whiskey. Still, it’s worth noting that even without added sugar, honey whiskey still clocks in at a modest 0.2 grams of sugar per ounce. And, for the moderate drinker, that’s still a good option.
For those who are health-conscious, then, the best combination of taste and health is to opt for a low-sugar whiskey. Not only will you be able to enjoy the delicious flavor of honey whiskey, but you won’t be hounded by the stiff consequences that usually come with too much sugar. It’s the perfect option for health-conscious whiskey drinkers and moderate drinkers alike.
