Calories in Vodka: Understanding the Nutritional Profile

Understanding how many calories are in alcoholic beverages like vodka can help you make informed drinking decisions. In this article, we’ll explore the caloric content in standard vodka, how it’s calculated, and factors that can influence the total calories in vodka-based beverages.

To understand the calories in vodka, we first need to examine what calories are and how they relate to alcoholic drinks.

Understanding Calories in Alcoholic Beverages

Calories refer to the total amount of energy you get from food or drink. They are measured based on a single serving.

The calories in alcoholic beverages mainly come from ethanol (the alcohol). Each gram of ethanol contains 7 calories.

The exact number of calories in a spirit can, however, vary depending on the fermentation and distillation process involved. Other factors such as sugary mixers and alcohol concentration can also influence the caloric content in a drink.

Now that we understand how calories are measured in alcoholic beverages, let’s explore the caloric content in standard vodka.

Caloric Content in Standard Vodka

Please note that the following information is based on standard unflavored vodka.

A single vodka shot contains less than 100 calories.

However, the exact caloric content of vodka can depend on how concentrated the alcohol is. The higher the alcohol concentration, the more calories.

For example:

• A 42g shot of Vodka with 40% alcohol contains 97 calories. 
• A 42g shot of Vodka with 50% alcohol contains 124 calories.

The calories in vodka come directly from alcohol (ethanol). A single gram of alcohol contains around seven calories. That’s three calories more than a single gram of carbohydrates, which contains four calories per gram.

A 42g serving of 40% distilled vodka also  contains.  However, there is an option to add sugar to vodka
 

Now let’s move on to calories in vodka by serving size. This can help provide a clearer picture of vodka’s nutritional profile.

Calories in Vodka by Serving Size

Calories in a Standard Shot of Vodka (1.5 oz/44ml)

There are approximately 96 – 98 calories in a standard shot of vodka (40% ABV). This can vary slightly based on proof/ABV.

Calories in 100ml of Vodka

There are approximately 220 – 231 calories per 100ml of vodka (40% ABV).

Calories in two Ounces of Vodka

There are approximately 128-130 calories in 2 ounces of vodka (40% ABV). This is a common serving size in many cocktail recipes.

Calories in a Bottle of Vodka

The number of calories in a bottle of vodka depends on both its size and strength.

There are around:

•  1,657 calories in a 750ml bottle of 40% vodka
• 2, 210 calories in a 1L bottle of 40% vodka
• 3, 867 calories in a 1.75L bottle of 40% vodka.

This information is for educational purposes only. Always follow recommended drinking guidelines. 

Standard vodka can have a consistent caloric profile, but let’s see if flavored vodkas differ in their nutritional content.

Calories in Flavored Vodkas

Most flavored Vodkas don’t contain any more calories than regular vodka. This is because they are often infused with natural or artificial flavorings.

However, vodka drinks made with sugars that are added after the fermentation and distilling process may contain more calories.

Beyond the vodka itself, the way it’s served can dramatically impact the total caloric content of a drink.

How Mixers Affect Total Caloric Content

Vodka drinks that are mixed with common mixers such as soda and fruit juice are likely to have a higher caloric profile. In fact, mixers often contribute significantly more calories than vodka itself.

For example, a 12 oz can of cola contains 155 calories, while a glass of orange juice has 117 calories.

Let’s look at some popular vodka cocktails and their approximate caloric content.

For complete understanding, it’s also important to consider vodka’s broader nutritional profile beyond just calories.

Factors Affecting Caloric Content in Different Vodkas

There are several factors that can result in variations in caloric content between different vodka products. Including:

• Alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage – The higher the percentage of alcohol in the liquor, the more calories it contains.
• Production methods – Trace additives such as sugars, glycerol and propylene glycol may be used (depending on local regulations) which can add to the calorie content.

Caloric Content in Absolut Vodka Products

You can find specific calorie levels for each of our vodkas on their e-Labels.

Calories in Absolut Original Vodka

• Absolut Vodka (40% ABV) 

Calories in Absolut Flavored Vodkas

• Absolut Mandrin (40% ABV) 
• Absolut Lime (40% ABV) 
• Absolut Citron (40% ABV) 
• Absolut Vanilla (40% ABV) 
• Absolut Raspberri (38% ABV) 

Calories in Absolut Ready-to-Drink Products

So, how many calories do Absolut canned cocktails contain? Let’s find out.

Absolut Ocean Spray Cans are made with premium Absolut Vodka and real Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice. Let’s look at the calories in a couple of Absolut Ocean Spray ready-to-drink products below:

• Absolut Vodka Cranberry (4.5% ABV)
• Absolut Vodka Cran.Pineapple (4.5% ABV)
• Absolut Vodka Cran.Rasberry (4.5% ABV)

Reading and Understanding Nutritional Information on Vodka Labels

Most alcohol labels in the US are regulated by the Alcohol and Tabacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). And unlike other food and drinks which are regulated by the FDA, most aren’t required to provide calorie information.

Similarly, in the UK, alcohol products only need to display the strength of the alcohol, volume and allergy information. However, U.S. regulators have made proposals to display information on the caloric content, alcohol content, carbohydrates and fat in protein per serving.

The nutritional information of some drinks can, however, be found online on the manufacturer’s website. Here you can find information on:

• Energy (KJ / Kal) (these are usually per measurement, such as 100ml)
• Fat (per g), including saturated fat (per g)
• Carbohydrates and sugars (per g)
• And protein and salt (per g)

Conclusion

To conclude, the calories in vodka primarily come from alcohol. Many popular mixers such as sodas and sugary drinks can significantly impact the total caloric content.

This information is for educational purposes only and is intended to help consumers make informed drinking choices when purchasing or consuming vodka-based drinks. Please drink responsibly in line with the U.S. recommended guidelines.

Before we wrap things up, let’s explore some frequently asked questions about calories in vodka.

Frequently Asked Questions About Calories in Vodka

Does vodka have more calories than other spirits?

There are 97 calories in a 45ml serving of gin (80% proof) and a 45ml serving of vodka (80% proof). A 45ml glass of rum (80% proof) and a 45ml glass of whisky (80% proof) also contains 97 calories.  Spirits that are mixed with soda, juice, and sugar drinks, however, can have an increased caloric count.

What vodka has the lowest calories?

The percentage of alcohol in liquor can affect the number of calories in a drink. So, vodka that contains a higher percentage (ABV) of alcohol tends to include more calories. You can find out how much ABV vodka contains by referring to the alcohol percentage.

Does the base ingredient (potato vs. grain) affect calories?

Potato and grain vodka have the same number of calories. While these foods are rich in carbohydrates, the sugars and starches in them are converted to ethanol during the fermentation and distillation process.