Beverage
Black russian
USDA description: Black Russian
How black russian scores for gout, what moved that score, and the nutrition and portions behind it.
Food Index score
Black russianAvoid
| Starting score | 100 |
| Alcohol | -35 |
| Category: Spirits | -25 |
| Nutrient Gaps | -10 |
| Calorie Density | -5.7 |
| Saturated Fat | -0.1 |
| Final score | 24 |
Black russian scores 24 out of 100 and sits in the avoid band. Among the highest-risk foods in the database, with the strongest evidence linking it to gout risk.
Penalties took 75.8 points off a starting score of 100. Every factor is listed in full below.
Scores run 0–100, where higher means more gout-friendly on average. They reflect relative ranking across foods, not a personal risk level. The same food can suit one person and not another, so use the score as a starting point for a conversation with your clinician.
The underlying data
Nutrition and portions
Nutrition Facts
- Total Fat0.14 g
- Saturated Fat0.05 g
- Sodium4 mg
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- Total Sugars17.4 g
- Protein0.04 g
- Calcium0 mg
- Iron0.05 mg
- Magnesium1 mg
- Vitamin C0 mg
- Folate0 ug
- Water50.5 g
- Alcohol28.1 g
- Omega-3 EPA0 g
- Omega-3 DHA0 g
Common portions
- 1 fl oz30 g
- 1 drinktypical75 g
- Quantity not specified75 g
Where the purine figure comes from
No direct purine measurement has been published for this food, so the score uses the measured median for its category (liquor and cocktails).
We rate this a good confidence estimate.
How purines affect the score →Nutrition values from the USDA FoodData Central database.
Scoring rationale
Every factor, in full
Each row shows the points a factor moved, what drove it, and the studies behind its weight.
- -35Flare risk
AlcoholFlare risk
28.1 g of alcohol per 100 g, with no portion adjustment. Alcohol slows the kidneys' clearance of urate.
Evidence: FitzGerald JD 2020, Arthritis Care Res · Zhang Y 2006, Am J Med
- -25Flare risk
Category: SpiritsFlare risk
High alcohol concentration per serving; impairs renal urate excretion.
Evidence: Choi HK 2004, N Engl J Med · Choi HK 2008, BMJ · Zhang Y 2006, Am J Med
- -10Long-term
Nutrient GapsLong-term
Provides meaningful amounts of only 0 of the 5 protective nutrient groups (vitamin C, fiber, omega-3, magnesium and folate).
Evidence: Choi HK 2009, Arch Intern Med · Juraschek SP 2016, Arthritis Rheumatol · Zhang M 2019, Arthritis Rheumatol
- -5.7Long-term
Calorie DensityLong-term
279 kcal per 100 g, above the 80 kcal energy-density threshold.
Evidence: Aune D 2014, Eur J Nutr
- -0.1Long-term
Saturated FatLong-term
0.05 g of saturated fat per 100 g, with no portion adjustment.
Evidence: Juraschek SP 2016, Arthritis Rheumatol · Yokose C 2021, Curr Opin Rheumatol
Keep looking
Similar foods in liquor and cocktails
Common questions
About black russian
Look up any food's Food Index score
Each score lists the factors that moved it, the portion it assumes, and the studies behind each factor's weight.