Vodka Calories: Servings, Carbs, and Vodka Nutrition Facts

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Vodka is one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic beverages overall, with zero carbs in vodka calories.

Due to its nutritional information, dieters often choose vodka as their favorite drink, particularly those following a low-carb diet such as the Paleo or Atkins diet.

Continue reading to learn what’s inside a typical serving of vodka, including carbs and other nutritional content.

Vodka Nutrition Facts

Ethanol and water are the primary components in vodka. Vodka calories have virtually no value from a vodka nutrition facts standpoint. Vodka calories are completely devoid of sugar, carbohydrates, fiber, fat, cholesterol, vitamins, sodium, or minerals. Alcohol alone is the source of every calorie.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers the following information regarding the value of calories in a shot of 80-proof vodka (1.5 fluid ounces, or 42 grams):

• Calories: 97
• Fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Sugars: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g

Vodka Calories

Compared to other alcoholic beverages, such as wine or beer, vodka is thought to have fewer calories in vodka shot rather than with a mixer.

The higher the proof of the vodka is, which also indicates how concentrated the vodka calories are, the more calories it will have. To measure the number of vodka calories, you can get half the proof to determine your percentage.

So how many calories are in a shot of vodka? Here we follow the formula of halving the proof using vodka shots that are under 2.0 ounces:

• 70-proof vodka: 85 calories in vodka shot
• 80-proof vodka: 96 calories in vodka shot
• 90-proof vodka: 110 calories in vodka shot
• 100-proof vodka: 124 calories in vodka shot

There are no carbohydrates in alcohol. Only the alcohol content of the vodka contributes to the calories. There are approximately seven calories in one gram of pure alcohol. As a point of comparison, one gram of carbohydrates and one gram of protein each contain approximately four calories, whereas one gram of fat contains approximately nine calories.

This indicates that alcohol consumption is nearly twice as fattening as consuming carbohydrates or protein and is only marginally less fattening than consuming fat.

Is Vodka Low Calorie?

You won’t typically find significant differences in calorie profiles when comparing vodkas of the same proof but different brands.

For instance, Smirnoff, Kettle One, Grey Goose, Skyy, and Absolut vodka are all 80-proof spirits, and each of these vodkas has around 96 calories in 1.5-ounce calories in vodka shot, which is equivalent to 69 calories per ounce.

Some vodkas are made from potatoes, and some are made from grains like wheat, barley, rye, or corn. There are some grape-based vodkas on the market today. Each variety’s flavor is crisp, despite the beverage being low in calories.

However, the actual number of calories can vary depending on the percentage of alcohol contained in the particular variety you select.

If you choose a brand of vodka with a higher percentage of alcohol, the total number of calories will also be higher. If you consume vodka calories with 100 proof, it’s estimated that you will consume an additional 124 calories (per calories in vodka shot).

How Many Carbs in Vodka?

No carbohydrates are found in distilled spirits such as vodka, rum, whiskey, or gin because they only contain alcohol. If you monitor the number of carbohydrates you consume, vodka is your choice.

Considering that vodka calories are made from starch- and carbohydrate-rich foods like wheat and potatoes, this may come across as strange. On the other hand, carbohydrates are eliminated during the distillation and fermentation processes.

Vodka Nutrition Facts

Other types of distilled liquor, such as rum, whiskey, gin, and tequila, have approximately the same number of calories as vodka calories but contain no carbohydrates [1]. The answer to the question of “Is vodka low calorie?” is going to depend on the brand as well as the proof.

For instance, the flavor of certain brands of rum is altered by the addition of spices and sugar, which also affects the number of calories and other nutrients present in the beverage.

In general, one serving of wine or beer contains a greater number of calories and carbohydrates than one serving of vodka calories.

As per vodka nutrition facts, vodka calories have a lower overall caloric content per serving compared to most alcoholic drinks.

Calories in vodka and their exact measurements depend on the brand of vodka along with any additives such as flavor [2].

Vodka Flavors

Vodkas infused with flavors can make the drinking experience more enjoyable and also eliminate the need for high-calorie mixers such as cranberry or orange juice. In today’s market, vodka can be found infused with the artificial or natural flavor of virtually any other beverage imaginable.

Popular flavors include coconut, lemon, berry, watermelon, cucumber, vanilla, and cinnamon. There are also more unusual infusions available, such as those made with smoked salmon, whipped cream, bacon, ginger, and even mango.

The best part is that the majority of the infused versions don’t contain any additional vodka calories other than what’s already in the vodka. Because these vodkas have lower proof, there’s a possibility that they have fewer vodka calories (lower in alcohol by weight).

Be sure not to confuse flavor-infused vodka with vodka cocktails made with flavored sugar syrups added after the fermentation and distillation process. These products typically contain a significantly greater number of calories than flavored vodkas.

Always read the labels. If you can’t find the vodka nutrition facts information you need on the product, the manufacturer probably has it posted on their website.

Mixers

The flavor of burning alcohol, which many people find off-putting, is virtually the only taste that can be detected in vodka when it’s consumed on its own. This explains why a significant number of vodka drinkers sweeten their beverage of choice by mixing it with fruit juice or soda.

When asking the question, “How much sugar is in vodka?” it’s important to note that there isn’t any. The high amount of sugar that is found in many of the mixers, however, can wreak havoc on a person’s diet.

Orange juice, for example, has 112 calories in a cup, while a can of regular soda has more than 140 calories in it. Sugar is the primary contributor to the majority of these calories.

Weight Loss

The process by which our bodies burn fat is affected by the consumption of alcohol, including vodka. In a normal state, our liver will metabolize (break down) any fats that are consumed. However, with alcohol presence, your liver will prioritize the breakdown of alcohol rather than food.

While your body is using alcohol for energy, your fat metabolic activity comes to a complete and total halt. This practice, which is harmful to a person who is attempting to reduce their body fat, is known as “fat sparing.”

Despite the nutrition facts, however, the majority of us don’t stop at just one drink. Just three vodka drinks will add an additional three hundred calories to your total daily consumption. That’s roughly equivalent to the number of calories in a cheeseburger.

How Much Should I Drink?

Vodka nutrition facts state that vodka calories may be a better option when compared to other types of alcoholic beverages, such as beer or sugary cocktails; however, if you are trying to watch your weight, you should treat vodka the same way you would treat a piece of cake or a cookie and reserve it for a special occasion.

The American Heart Association claims that men should consider two drinks a day as their limit, with women consuming just one drink a day.

Allergies and Interactions

If you have a sensitivity or an allergy to any of the ingredients used in the production of vodka, you run the risk of having an allergic response if you drink vodka. People who have celiac disease, an allergy to wheat, or an intolerance to gluten, for instance, should probably steer clear of vodka made from grains.

Although it’s possible to consume distilled liquors and other types of alcohol without experiencing any adverse effects, this isn’t always the case.

Last but not least, consuming alcohol while under the influence of certain medications, particularly those that induce drowsiness, is not advised. Make it a point to first get the approval of a healthcare provider before drinking alcohol while under their care.

Takeaway

Vodka nutrition facts state that vodka is a liquor with low calories and does not contain any carbohydrates, fat, or sugar and, for that matter, has no nutritional value. The beverage is an excellent choice if you are trying to cut back on calories or simply want to enjoy a drink without consuming an excessive amount of alcohol.

You can lower the number of calories and carbs in your drink by mixing vodka with diet soda, soda water, and a squeeze of lemon, but you should still try to keep your overall alcohol consumption to a reasonable minimum because the calories can add up very quickly.

Keep in mind that if your liver is busy processing alcohol, it won’t be able to assist you in the burning of fat. Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can be detrimental to your overall health.

Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol can cause serious harm to your brain, liver, and heart, in addition to other vital organs. Additionally, it’s known to raise one’s probability of developing particular cancers.

Pregnant women should not consume vodka or any alcoholic drinks.

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References:

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/Tools/Calculators/Calorie-Calculator.aspx.
2. “Hangovers.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/hangovers.