A 2 oz (59 ml) shot of rum typically contains around 100 calories. However, the exact calorie count can vary depending on the rum’s alcohol content and brand.
The Calories in Different Types of Rum
There are several common types of rum that contain slightly different amounts of calories per 2 oz shot:
- White rum: 96 calories
- Gold rum: 100 calories
- Dark rum: 105 calories
- Flavored rum: 110 calories
- Spiced rum: 108 calories
As you can see, the calorie content ranges from about 96-110 calories per standard shot depending on the type of rum. Dark rums tend to be slightly higher in calories, while white rum is on the lower end of the spectrum.
Calories by Popular Rum Brands
Looking at some popular rum brands, here are the calories for a 2 oz serving of each:
| Rum Brand | Calories (2 oz) |
|---|---|
| Bacardi White Rum | 96 |
| Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum | 108 |
| Malibu Coconut Rum | 108 |
| Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum | 122 |
| Kraken Black Spiced Rum | 124 |
As you can see, the calories can vary somewhat between brands depending on the specific ingredients, alcohol content, and style of rum. Some flavored varieties like coconut rum or spiced rum may be slightly higher in calories.
Factors Affecting Calorie Content
Several factors account for the differences in calories between types and brands of rum:
- Alcohol content: Rums with a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) tend to be higher in calories. For example, overproof rums often have more calories.
- Sugars and additives: Flavored rums, spiced rums, etc. may contain added sugars and flavorings that increase the calorie content compared to plain rum.
- Aging: Dark rums are sometimes aged in barrels longer, allowing them to absorb more components from the wood which marginally increases calories.
- Proofing: Diluting rum to make it 80 proof reduces the calorie density slightly compared to 151 proof rums.
Does Mixing Rum Change the Calories?
When rum is mixed into cocktails or other drinks, the calorie count can change substantially depending on the other ingredients.
For example, cola or fruit juices add sugar and calories. Mixers like ginger ale have some calories, but not as much as full-sugar sodas. Diet mixers have minimal calories. Complex cocktails with multiple high-calorie mixers can pack 300+ calories into a single drink.
So while a 2 oz shot of rum itself has around 100 calories, the mixed drink as a whole may be much higher (or lower) in calories depending on what it’s combined with.
Calories in Common Rum Drinks
| Rum Drink | Calories (8 oz) |
|---|---|
| Rum and diet cola | 100 |
| Cuba libre (rum and cola) | 260 |
| Piña colada | 490 |
| Mojito | 210 |
| Rum and ginger ale | 130 |
Tips for Drinking Rum with Fewer Calories
Here are some tips if you’re looking to enjoy rum without all the extra calories of mixed drinks:
- Drink rum on the rocks or with club soda instead of high-calorie mixers.
- Go for diet or zero-calorie colas and sodas as mixers.
- Avoid creamy mixers like colada or sweet liqueurs.
- Ask for light or fresh fruit mixes instead of sugary fruit juices.
- Avoid frozen blended rum drinks which can pile on calories.
- Stick to 1-2 oz rum pours instead of 3+ oz cocktails.
- Select lighter rums like white or gold instead of dark or spiced varieties.
The Bottom Line
A standard 2 oz shot of rum contains around 100 calories, though dark rums may clock in slightly higher at 100-110 calories per serving depending on the brand and style. When mixed into cocktails, the calorie count changes based on the other ingredients added. To keep rum drink calories low, opt for low or no calorie mixers, limit portion sizes, and select lighter rum styles.