How Many Calories are in a Shot of Vodka?

Introduction

Vodka is an alcoholic drink that has been distilled and is transparent. Various types originated from Poland, Russia, and Sweden. Vodka primarily consists of water and ethanol, but it may also contain small amounts of impurities and flavors.

Vodka contains few calories and no carbohydrates. Additionally, it does not contain gluten. Typically, a single shot contains fewer than 100 calories.

• If you’re trying to manage your calorie intake or adhere to a low-calorie diet while consuming alcohol, vodka can be a low-calorie option worth considering.
• Below is a compilation of several well-liked alcoholic drinks, their portion sizes, and the calorie counts for each.
• With 0 grams (g) of carbohydrates, it is the preferred distilled spirit for many individuals on low-carb diets.

It is worth mentioning, though, that mixers high in sugar can cause the calorie total to rise rapidly. Please continue reading to find out more about the nutritional aspects of vodka. Compared with other alcoholic beverages like beers, ciders, and wines, vodka has a relatively low-calorie content. Plain 80-proof vodka has approximately 96 calories in a 1.5 oz serving.

Nonetheless, this does not imply that vodka is a suitable option for someone aiming to shed pounds. This article provides a comparison of the nutritional profiles of vodka and other alcoholic beverages. We also explain how alcohol consumption can hinder weight loss efforts.

What is Vodka?

Vodka, a transparent alcoholic beverage, is produced from fermented grains such as rye or wheat. It can also be created from potatoes and — well — essentially anything. If you have the determination, you can find a way to produce vodka. (But don’t attempt this at home.)

In the United States, vodka has to be a minimum of 80 proof, which indicates that it has at least 40% alcohol content.

Vodka is extremely popular and can be consumed straight as a shot, used in cooking, or mixed into drinks such as Cosmos, screwdrivers, and white Russians.

What components are in vodka?

Alone, it lacks sugar, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and so on. Certain types may include minor traces of contaminants, but these would not have a considerable impact on the nutrient content.

• Nevertheless, vodkas with flavors are quite favored as well — featuring tastes from grapefruit to birthday cake. And, even if you may not realize it due to the absence of a nutrition facts label or ingredient list on the bottle, they can be packed with added sugar.
• For example, Smirnoff offers a vast range of flavored vodkas, and there is no indication on their website or the label of a bottle whether a specific flavored vodka contains sugar or the amount it contains.

They also offer a zero sugar infusions line, which consists of flavored vodkas that contain no sugar. This implies that you can safely presume all other flavored vodkas they provide include sugar.

The precise calorie and sugar counts for each brand and flavor of vodka can only be determined by contacting the manufacturer directly. There’s no other way to know them. What a buzzkill.

Vodka nutrition facts

Since vodka consists solely of water and ethanol, it has minimal nutritional value. The alcohol itself accounts for all the calories.

The following is the nutritional details for a 1.5-oz (42 g) serving of distilled vodka at 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

Compared to other common choices like wine and beer, vodka is regarded as a low-calorie alcoholic drink. A serving of 80-proof (40%) distilled vodka, measuring 1.5 oz (42 g), contains 97 calories.

The calorie content of vodka and other alcoholic drinks can, however, differ based on the concentration of alcohol. A liquor’s “proof” is a numerical value indicating its alcohol percentage: the higher the proof, the more calories it has, and the greater its impact on blood alcohol content.

The proof can be halved to determine the percentage. To clarify, 100 proof contains 50% alcohol, whereas 80 proof has 40% alcohol.

A 1.5-oz (42 g) serving of vodka contains the following number of calories:

• 70 proof (35%):
• 85 calories
• 80 proof (40%): 97 calories
• 90 proof (45%): 110 calories
• 100 proof (50%): 124 calories

Vodka’s caloric content is derived from the alcohol it contains. Pure alcohol has about 7 calories for each gram. As a point of reference, protein and carbohydrates each provide roughly 4 calories per gram, whereas fat provides approximately 9 calories per gram.

• This indicates that alcohol contains almost double the calories per gram compared to carbohydrates or protein, and only slightly less than fat.

• Vodka brands with identical proofs typically have equivalent calorie contents. As an example, a 42 g serving of Smirnoff, Grey Goose, and Absolut vodka with 40% alcohol by volume contains 97 calories.

• As per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a 1.5-ounce serving of plain, 80-proof (40 percent) vodka has 96 calories, while a 1-ounce serving has 64 calories.

• Aside from trace amounts of impurities and nutrients, standard, plain vodka consists solely of water and alcohol (ethanol).

Thus, the alcohol is the sole source of vodka’s caloric content. The calorie content of vodka rises with the concentration of alcohol it contains.

The proof refers to the percentage of alcohol in this kind of liquor. A person can estimate the alcohol concentration by dividing the liquor’s proof value by two. A vodka with 80 proof will have approximately 40% alcohol content.

Below are the caloric values of 1.5-ounce servings of vodkas with varying proofs:

• A serving of 94-proof vodka contains 115 calories.
• 123 calories in a serving of 100-proof vodka

Aside from its caloric content, vodka lacks nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. This is the reason why vodka and other kinds of alcohol are often called sources of “empty” calories by many individuals.

The way the body metabolizes alcohol is completely different from how it processes the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Are there any carbs in vodka?

As they consist of alcohol, concentrated spirits such as vodka, rum, whiskey, and gin contain no carbohydrates.

This might appear strange, as vodka is produced from carbohydrate-rich foods such as potatoes and wheat. The fermentation and distillation processes eliminate the carbohydrates, however. If you’re overseeing or attempting to restrict your carbohydrate consumption, vodka could be a preferable option compared to alternatives such as beer.

Even though it is produced from carbohydrate-rich foods like potatoes or wheat, the processes of fermentation and distillation remove almost all of their nutrients, carbohydrates included. The sugars and starches present in the original foods are mainly transformed into ethanol.

Carbohydrate and calorie content of vodka about other alcoholic beverages

Other distilled spirits, such as rum, whiskey, gin, and tequila, have approximately the same calorie count as vodka and contain no carbohydrates.

For instance, certain rum brands include additional sugar and spices, which alters both the taste and nutritional content.

Is the caloric content of flavored vodka higher?

Vodkas with added flavors can enhance the taste experience and remove the necessity for high-calorie mixers such as sodas or fruit juices.

Whether natural or artificial, vodka can be flavored with virtually anything. Lemon, berry, coconut, watermelon, cucumber, vanilla, and cinnamon are favored choices. More unusual infusions consist of bacon, whipped cream, ginger, mango, and smoked salmon. A lot of infused varieties have the same calorie count as regular vodka.

It is, however, crucial to avoid conflating flavor-infused vodka with vodka beverages that incorporate flavored sugary syrups added post-fermentation and distillation. These products frequently have a higher calorie and carb content than infused vodka.

A lemonade vodka cocktail (286 g), for example, can contain nearly 200 calories and 26 g of carbohydrates, with 25 g being added sugars.

Always study the labels with care. If the product label doesn’t provide nutrition details, consider looking on the manufacturer’s website.

Low-calorie vodka drinks

Vodka on its own has little flavor apart from the burning sensation of alcohol, which is off-putting to many. Rather, it is commonly combined with other drinks such as sweet juices, sodas, and bitters to create a delicious cocktail.

However, a lot of these mixers contain high amounts of added sugars, carbohydrates, and calories. As an example:

• Cola: A 12-oz (370 g) can contain 155 calories and 38.5 g of carbohydrates, with added sugars accounting for 36.8 g.
• Orange juice: A serving size of 1 cup (248 g) provides 117 calories and contains 25.2 g of carbohydrates, including 20.3 g of sugar.
• Cranberry juice: A serving size of 1 cup (253 g) contains 116 calories and 31 g of carbohydrates, almost entirely from sugar.
• This can complicate calorie management and added sugars are linked to chronic health issues such as obesity, hypertension, and heart diseases.

To lower your sugar consumption, think about combining vodka with one of these:

Soft drinks with reduced sugar content club soda or soda water with a splash of lime or lemon watered-down lemonade or cranberry juice chilled tea club soda combined with mint leaves and a calorie-free sweetener (such as stevia)

Vodka and weight loss

If you’re trying to lose weight, vodka might appear to be a suitable alcoholic drink. Nevertheless, it should be acknowledged that it can affect weight management in various respects. Alcohol, such as vodka, disrupts the body’s ability to burn fat.

Usually, the liver processes (decomposes) fats. However, when alcohol is present, the liver prioritizes its breakdown and uses it as an energy source. This halts the processing of fat, which can cause fat to build up in the liver and other areas.

While your body uses alcohol for energy, fat metabolism comes to a standstill. This is known as “fat sparing,” which is not beneficial for those attempting to lose weight.

Alcohol is deemed to be “empty calories” as well since it lacks any nutritional benefits.

Studies indicate that the consumption of alcoholic beverages usually increases an individual’s daily caloric intake, potentially leading to weight gain. Alcohol can also boost your appetite and lessen sensations of satiety. More often than not, this results in the consumption of foods rich in fats and carbohydrates, which can rapidly elevate total caloric intake.

• Although vodka is regarded as a low-calorie alcoholic beverage, it has more calories per gram than both protein and carbohydrates.
• While ethanol has 7 calories per gram and fat has 9, both proteins and carbohydrates have about 4 calories per gram.
• Alcohol also hampers the liver’s capacity to metabolize and eliminate fats.

What is the body’s response to alcohol?

Alcohol takes priority when it enters the body — the liver processes it before anything else, including fats and sugars. This results in the accumulation of fatty acids, which are the fundamental constituents of fats. The body frequently retains them for future use.

Since the body prioritizes alcohol metabolism, it uses up the calories from alcohol before those from fats. It is called fat sparring.

Additionally, the liver retains glucose as glycogen, serving as a reserve energy source. The liver metabolizes alcohol before supplying glucose to the body, which can lead to low blood sugar levels. This makes alcohol consumption especially perilous for those with diabetes.

Can alcohol impede weight loss through other mechanisms?

Indeed. Alcohol consumption can heighten the desire for indulgent, fatty foods—items that those attempting to shed pounds typically seek to avoid.

Most people’s appetites are also augmented by alcohol. Alcohol consumption can foster eating behaviors that contribute to weight gain, like late-night snacking and excessive eating.

What is the calorie content of mixers?

A lot of people combine vodka with high-calorie drinks like sodas, juices, or other spirits. When vodka is included in a mixed drink, the calorie count can be two to three times greater than that of a straight serving of vodka.

In an 8-ounce portion of the following well-liked mixers, there are:

• Orange juice: 111 calories
• Regular soda: 100 calories
• Tonic water (regular), ginger beer, or quinine-rich water: 80 kcal

Here are the average calorie counts for popular cocktails and coolers that often include vodka:

• 2.25-ounce martini: 124 calories
• 2.75-ounce cosmopolitan: 146 calories
• 12-ounce Smirnoff ice: 241 calories

Some individuals might opt for a flavored or infused vodka instead of mixing regular vodka with a high-calorie mixer.

Those who are counting calories should scrutinize the labels of flavored vodkas. If the nutritional contents are not indicated, the company’s website might provide additional details. The majority of infused products have no extra calories, but those that include syrups will have a calorie count significantly greater than that of standard vodka.

Ice, club soda, and plain water contain neither calories nor sugar. Incorporating lemon or lime slices can improve the taste of a vodka drink.

Vodka vs. other types of alcohol

The nutritional profile of vodka is similar to that of other distilled spirits, such as:

• Gin
• Tequila
• Whiskey
• Rum
• Brandy
• Cognac

For a 1.5-ounce serving, most distilled spirits contain approximately 96–98 calories and no carbs. Just like with vodka, the exact calorie count per serving differs among brands and proofs. Compared to most other alcoholic beverages, vodka has a lower calorie count per serving.

Although precise calorie counts vary based on the brand and whether flavoring is added, other well-known varieties of alcohol generally have around:

• 153 calories per 12-ounce serving of beer
• 103 calories in a 12-oz portion of light beer
• Most liqueurs contain 165 calories per 1.5-ounce serving.
• A 5-oz portion of red wine has 125 calories.
• 121 calories per 5-ounce serving of white wine
• Sweet wine contains 165 calories in a 3.5-ounce serving.
• 75 calories per 2-ounce serving of sherry
• 90 calories per 2-ounce serving of port
• 84 calories per 4-ounce serving of champagne
• Sweet vermouth contains 140 calories in each 3-oz serving.
• 105 calories per 3-ounce serving of dry vermouth

How to drink fewer calories

To lessen the calorie content of an alcoholic drink, one can:

• Certain tactics can assist individuals in lowering their alcohol intake.
• Using low-calorie or calorie-free sodas or juices as mixers using plain water or club soda as a base adding ice to beverages enhancing the flavor with a squeeze of citrus, like lemon or lime infusing drinks with mint or sage leaves incorporating zero-calorie sweeteners, such as stevia extract.

To drinks measure mixed drink ingredients carefully A few recommendations are:

• A 1.5-ounce serving of 80-proof spirits
• A 4-ounce glass of wine
• A 12-ounce beer

Keep in mind that mocktails and alcohol-free coolers can have significant sugar and calorie content as well, so make sure to examine the labels.

Stop having these foods while drinking alcohol

Dairy Products

Mixing alcohol with drinks that are high in dairy content or eating foods rich in dairy can lead to digestive issues and discomfort. A lot of individuals have lactose intolerance, and alcohol can worsen these symptoms.

Moreover, dairy products can create a coating on the stomach lining, which may hinder your body’s ability to process alcohol efficiently. To reduce the likelihood of digestive issues, avoid creamy desserts and cocktails made with dairy while consuming alcoholic beverages. Choose alternatives like nut milk or those derived from coconut milk instead.

Chocolates

Although chocolates may be alluring, they possess a high sugar content and can increase the negative effects of alcohol. As alcohol leads to dehydration, pairing it with sugary foods can worsen this effect and lead to headaches or fatigue. For those who crave sweets, fresh fruit or dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage is a better choice, as these options are lower in sugar and provide health benefits.

Pizza

Even though pizza is loved by many, it’s not the optimal option when drinking alcohol. Due to its high fat, carbohydrate, and sodium content, pizza can impede alcohol absorption and cause bloating or discomfort. If you desire something savory, choose a dish centered on a lean protein, such as grilled chicken or fish, accompanied by vegetables.

Bread

It is wise to refrain from consuming bread and beer at the same time since they can cause dehydration. This is due to the presence of yeast in beer and bread, which can impede the liver’s capacity to metabolize alcohol efficiently. Furthermore, high concentrations of yeast in the body can put pressure on the stomach’s digestive functions. For this reason, it is recommended to refrain from eating bread and drinking beer at the same time.

Spicy Foods

Although spicy foods can taste great, they might heighten alcohol’s effects. Dishes with a lot of spice can aggravate the stomach lining and increase acid reflux symptoms. Because alcohol already causes stomach irritation, mixing it with spicy foods can result in heartburn, indigestion, or even stomach ulcers. For the sake of your digestive system, consider opting for more easily digestible foods like grilled chicken, fish, or cooked vegetables.

Nutritious food choices to accompany alcoholic beverages

Nuts and seeds:

Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and other nuts or seeds without added salt are good options. These foods provide healthy fats, protein, and fiber that may aid in slowing down the absorption of alcohol.

Salad: 

A light salad featuring various leafy greens and vegetables, topped with a delicate dressing, can serve as a refreshing and healthful complement to your beverage. Choose a salad with vibrant veggies such as spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots to get your vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Popcorn:

When drinking, air-popped popcorn (without too much butter or salt) can be a crunchy and satisfying snack. This is a whole grain that offers fiber and can serve as a healthier option compared to other salty snacks. Think about incorporating some herbs or spices to enhance the flavor.

Grilled Paneer:

Slice the paneer, then marinate it with seasonings such as chili powder, salt, turmeric, and cumin. Cook the paneer on the grill until it acquires grill marks and a bit of charring. Relish it as a protein-packed snack with your beverage.

Grilled vegetables:

Vegetables like bell peppers, tomato, and eggplant, when grilled or roasted, make for a delicious and nutritious side to your beverage.

Olives:

Olives are packed with healthy fats and are a source of antioxidants. They offer a satisfying salty flavor and pair wonderfully with cocktails.

Conclusion

Vodka is a low-calorie alcoholic beverage that contains no sugar, fat, or carbs, and has no nutritional value. If you’re looking for a low-calorie alcoholic drink, vodka is a solid option. It contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than beer, wine, champagne, and pre-mixed cocktails.

• Combine vodka with soda water and a dash of lemon or a diet soda to maintain a low calorie and carb count, but be sure to control your alcohol intake. If you’re pregnant, avoid drinking vodka or any other alcoholic beverages.
• In comparison to other alcoholic beverages, vodka has a lower calorie count and is carb-free. According to the USDA, a standard vodka serving has 96 calories.

It is crucial to keep in mind that alcohol can hinder weight loss through various means, such as delaying the metabolism of fats and sugars.

• For those who consume alcohol and wish to shed pounds, opting for low- or no-calorie mixers is advisable. Some tactics, like consuming water in between drinks with alcohol, can be beneficial as well.

Unfortunately, the nutritional information for vodka is unclear. Because the FDA does not regulate vodka (including flavored varieties), these products are not mandated to include nutrition labels or lists of ingredients. Although vodka is simply a mixture of water and alcohol, flavored varieties and mixed drinks can have high-calorie counts due to added sugar. Keep this in mind the next time you feel like doing some tub-thumping.

FAQs

Reference

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• Huizen, J. (2023, November 17). Which type of alcohol has the fewest calories? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322568#takeaway
• Calorie count – Alcoholic beverages: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000886.htm
• Bh. (2022, August 25). Vodka, calories, and nutrition | An explainer — American Liquor Company Vodka. American Liquor Company Vodka. https://www.americanvodka.com/vodka-faq/how-many-calories-are-in-a-shot-of-vodka
• How many units and calories are in vodka? | Drinkaware. (n.d.). Drinkaware. https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/information-about-alcohol/alcoholic-drinks-and-units/units-and-calories-in-alcoholic-drinks/vodka
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