Vodka contains very few calories and zero carbs. It’s also gluten-free. A single shot typically has less than 100 calories.
Vodka may be a low calorie alcoholic beverage to consider if you’re managing your calories or trying to stick to a low calorie diet and want to consume alcohol.
It also has
However, it’s important to note that sugary mixers can quickly increase the calorie count.
Keep reading to learn more about the nutrition facts of vodka.
Vodka only contains ethanol and water, so it has little nutritional value. All the calories come from the alcohol itself.
Here are the nutrition facts for a 1.5-oz (42 g) serving of distilled vodka, 80 proof (40%):
- Calories: 97
- Sugar: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 g
- Vitamins: 0 g
- Minerals: 0 g
Vodka is considered a low calorie alcoholic beverage compared to other popular options, such as wine and beer.
A 1.5-oz (42 g) serving of distilled vodka, 80 proof (40%), has
However, the calorie content of vodka and other alcoholic beverages can vary depending on how concentrated the alcohol is.
The “proof” is a number that refers to the percent of alcohol in the liquor — the higher the proof, the more calories it contains (and the bigger effect on your blood alcohol content).
You can figure out the percent by dividing the proof in half. For example, 100 proof is 50% alcohol, while 80 proof is 40% alcohol.
For a
- 70 proof (35%): 85 calories
- 80 proof (40%): 97 calories
- 90 proof (45%): 110 calories
- 100 proof (50%): 124 calories
The calories in vodka come from the alcohol itself. Pure alcohol contains roughly 7 calories per gram. For reference, carbohydrates and protein both contain about 4 calories per gram, while fat contains about 9 calories per gram.
This means that alcohol provides nearly twice as many calories per gram as carbs or protein and only slightly less than fat.
The calorie content of different brands of vodka with the same proof is generally the same. For instance, a 1.5-oz (42 g) serving of 40% Smirnoff, Grey Goose, and Absolut vodka each contain 97 calories.
Distilled spirits, like vodka, rum, whiskey, and gin, only contain alcohol, so they have zero carbs.
This may seem odd since vodka is made from carb-rich foods like wheat and potatoes. However, the carbs are removed during the fermentation and distilling processes.
If you’re managing or trying to limit your carbohydrate intake, vodka may be a better choice than other options like beer.
Other distilled liquors, like rum, whiskey, gin, and tequila, contain roughly the
Of course, it depends on the brand and the proof. Some brands of rum, for example, contain added spices and sugar that change the flavor and also the nutritional content.
Wine and beer in general have more
| Type of beverage | Calories | Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| Wine (5 oz) | 103 | 5 g |
| Beer (12 oz) | 153 | 11 g |
| Light beer (12 oz) | 110 | 7 g |
| Champagne (4 oz) | 84 | 1.6 g |
Flavor-infused vodkas can make for a more delicious experience and also eliminate the need for high calorie mixers like sodas or fruit juices.
Vodka can be infused with the natural or artificial flavor of just about anything. Lemon, berry, coconut, watermelon, cucumber, vanilla, and cinnamon are popular options. More exotic infusions include bacon, whipped cream, ginger, mango, and smoked salmon.
Many infused versions don’t contain more calories than plain vodka.
However, it’s important not to confuse flavor-infused vodka with vodka drinks made with flavored sugary syrups that are added after the fermentation and distilling process. These products often contain more calories and carbs than infused vodka.
For instance, a lemonade vodka cocktail (286 g) may have almost 200 calories and 26 g of carbs, of which 25 g are added sugars.
Always read the labels carefully. If you can’t find nutrition information on the product label, try searching the manufacturer’s website.
Vodka by itself has almost no taste other than the burning alcohol flavor, which many people find unpleasant. Instead, it’s usually mixed with other beverages like sweet juices, sodas, and bitters to make a tasty cocktail.
That said, many of these mixers are high in added sugars, carbs, and calories. For instance:
- Cola: A 12-oz (370 g) can of cola has
155 calories and 38.5 g of carbs, of which 36.8 g are added sugars. - Orange juice: A 1-cup (248 g) serving of orange juice has
117 calories and 25.2 g of carbs, of which 20.3 g are sugar. - Cranberry juice: A 1-cup (253 g) serving of cranberry juice has
116 calories and 31 g of carbs, nearly all from sugar.
Not only can this make it harder to manage your calories, but added sugars are associated with chronic health conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.
To reduce sugar intake, consider mixing vodka with one of the following:
- lower sugar sodas
- soda water or club soda with a squeeze of lemon or lime
- diluted cranberry juice or lemonade
- iced tea
- club soda, mint leaves, and a no-calorie sweetener (like stevia)
If you’re on a weight loss journey, vodka may seem like an appropriate alcoholic beverage. However, it’s important to note that it may impact weight management in several ways.
Alcohol, including vodka, interferes with the body’s fat-burning process.
Normally, the liver metabolizes (breaks down) fats. When alcohol is present, however, the liver breaks it down first and uses it for energy. This stops fat metabolism, which may lead to an accumulation of fat in the liver and elsewhere.
Fat metabolism comes to a screeching halt while your body uses the alcohol for energy. This is referred to as “fat sparing,” and it isn’t good for someone trying to lose weight.
Alcohol is also considered “empty calories” because they don’t provide any nutritional value.
Research suggests that drinking alcohol typically adds to a person’s daily calorie intake, which may contribute to weight gain. Alcohol may also increase your appetite and reduce feelings of fullness. More often than not, this leads to eating foods high in fats and carbs, which can quickly increase total calories.
Learn more about alcohol and weight management.
How many calories are in a 25 mL shot of vodka?
A 25 mL shot of vodka (40%) has just under
Is vodka the lowest calorie alcohol?
Vodka and other distilled spirits like whiskey, rum, gin, and tequila are considered the lowest calorie alcohols.
Is four shots of vodka a day too much?
According to guidelines from healthcare organizations like the
This is considered binge drinking, which may have many negative impacts on your health.
If you drink alcohol, the NIAAA recommends moderate drinking, which is:
- Males: Two alcoholic beverages or less daily.
- Females: One alcoholic beverage or less daily.
That said, it’s important to note that drinking alcohol every day, even moderately, may have several impacts on your physical and mental well-being.
Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you need support with drinking. They can recommend sources, communities, and organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery that could provide support.
Vodka is a low calorie liquor with no carbs, fat, or sugar, and no nutritional value. If you want a low calorie alcoholic beverage, vodka is a good choice. It has less calories and carbs than beer, wine, champagne, and pre-mixed cocktails.
Mix vodka with soda water and a squeeze of lemon or a diet soda to keep the calorie and carb count low, but it’s important to try to manage the amount of alcohol you consume.
Don’t drink vodka or any other type of alcohol if you’re pregnant.