How Many Calories Is a Vodka Shot

A standard shot of vodka contains around 96 to 105 calories, depending on the proof and the serving size. Most vodka is 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof), and the calories come entirely from alcohol, not sugar, carbs, or fat. Unlike beer or sugary mixed drinks, vodka is often praised for being a "clean" spirit in terms of ingredients, but the calories can still add up quickly if you're not measuring or mixing mindfully.

Calories by Measure and Strength

The calorie content in vodka depends on how much you pour and how strong the spirit is. A typical 25ml shot of 40% ABV vodka has about 55 to 60 calories, while a 35ml shot contains around 80 to 85 calories. In the US, a standard shot is 1.5 ounces (44ml), which clocks in at roughly 96 to 100 calories. Higher-proof vodkas such as those at 50% or 100 proof can push a single shot closer to 110 to 120 calories, as alcohol is calorie-dense at seven calories per gram. Flavoured vodkas may also contain small amounts of added sugar, which can slightly increase the total.

Nutritional Breakdown of Vodka

Vodka contains zero carbs, zero fat, and zero protein. The only source of calories is ethanol, the type of alcohol used in spirits. This makes vodka technically a carb-free drink, which is why it's often favored in low-carb or ketogenic diet circles. However, these are still empty calories, they deliver energy but no nutrients. That means vodka offers no vitamins, minerals, fibre, or antioxidants, unlike wine or beer, which may contain small amounts of micronutrients.

How Vodka Affects Your Diet

Even though vodka is lower in calories than many cocktails or beers, it still impacts your diet. Alcohol halts fat burning temporarily, which means your body prioritizes processing the vodka before returning to normal metabolism. Any food you eat while drinking is more likely to be stored as fat, not burned for energy. Vodka can also reduce inhibitions, leading to late-night snacking or overeating. If you're in a calorie deficit, even a few drinks per week can slow or stall your progress unless you factor them into your daily intake.

The Illusion of “Low-Calorie” Alcohol

Vodka is often marketed as a low-calorie alcohol choice, but this is only true when it’s consumed straight or with calorie-free mixers like soda water. When combined with tonic, juice, or soda, the calorie count rises fast. A vodka tonic, for example, can contain 150 to 180 calories per glass, mostly from the tonic water. Cocktails like screwdrivers, espresso martinis, or vodka cranberries often top 200 to 300 calories per serving, especially if they include syrups or liqueurs. So, while vodka itself is low in calories, what you mix it with makes all the difference.

Vodka and Blood Sugar

Vodka does not contain carbohydrates and has a glycemic index of zero, which means it does not directly raise blood sugar. However, alcohol can have unpredictable effects on glucose regulation, especially when consumed without food. It can cause an initial drop in blood sugar followed by a delayed rise, depending on what you’ve eaten and how much you drink. For people with diabetes or insulin sensitivity, vodka may be less risky than sugary drinks, but moderation and food pairing are still important.

How Vodka Is Made

Vodka is typically made by fermenting and distilling starches from grains such as wheat, rye, or corn. Potatoes, sugar beet molasses, or even fruit can also be used as the base ingredient. After fermentation, the alcohol is distilled several times to remove impurities and achieve a neutral flavour. Most vodkas are filtered through charcoal or quartz to create a clean, smooth finish. Because it’s distilled, vodka contains almost no traces of the original food source, making it naturally gluten-free unless flavourings are added post-distillation.

Ingredients in a Vodka Shot

A pure vodka shot contains only one ingredient: vodka. It’s simply ethanol and water, usually in a 40:60 ratio by volume. Flavoured vodkas may include natural or artificial flavourings and sometimes small amounts of sugar or citric acid, but the calorie difference is minimal unless sweeteners are added in large amounts. Always check labels on flavoured varieties if you’re watching your sugar or carb intake.

A Smarter Alternative

If you’re looking to reduce calories while still enjoying vodka, the best option is to mix it with soda water, add a splash of lime, or use low- or no-calorie mixers. Diluting with sparkling water can extend the drink without boosting the calorie count. Drinking vodka slowly, alternating with water, and limiting to one or two servings per occasion can also help you stay within your dietary goals without feeling deprived. Avoiding high-calorie chasers or cocktails with cream, juice, or syrup is another key tactic.

Vodka Calories Compared to Other Spirits

Vodka sits in the middle range of calorie content among spirits. It’s lighter than cream-based liqueurs like Baileys or sweetened spirits like amaretto, but nearly identical in calorie content to gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey of the same proof. For example, a 40% ABV shot of gin or whiskey also comes in around 95 to 100 calories per 44ml (1.5oz) shot. This makes vodka a go-to spirit for people counting calories, but not necessarily the lowest option, its main advantage is neutral flavour and mixability, not calorie savings.

Higher Proof = Higher Calories

Many people don’t realise that alcohol content directly drives calorie count. Vodka at 50% ABV (100 proof) contains more calories per shot than standard 40% versions. Every additional 10% ABV can add 20 to 30 calories per serving, meaning a high-proof vodka can quietly add 120 to 130 calories per shot without any increase in volume or flavour. If you’re drinking vodka straight or in strong cocktails, it pays to check the label for the actual proof.

Why Vodka Is Popular on Low-Carb Diets

Vodka is commonly used on low-carb or ketogenic diets because it contains no carbs or sugar. It doesn’t kick you out of ketosis in small amounts and is often seen as "safe" compared to beer or wine. But the calories still count, and alcohol can impair ketone production and slow fat loss. It also lowers inhibitions, making it easier to overeat or choose high-carb foods after drinking. For strict dieters, the real issue isn’t the carb count it’s what the vodka might lead to.

Vodka and Water Retention

While vodka doesn’t contain sodium, alcohol in general can lead to water retention and temporary bloating, especially when consumed in larger amounts or mixed with sugary drinks. The body sees alcohol as a toxin and alters hormone levels to process it, including those that regulate hydration and electrolyte balance. Even without mixers, vodka can cause puffiness and short-term weight fluctuations, which many people mistakenly blame on food rather than the drink itself.

Calories in Infused and Flavoured Vodka

Flavoured vodkas like vanilla, raspberry, or citrus can be low in additional calories, often staying within 5 to 10 calories more per shot compared to unflavoured varieties. However, dessert-style vodkas, such as whipped cream, cake, or caramel, sometimes contain added sugar and flavouring agents that increase the calorie count by 20 to 40 calories per serving. If you’re mixing vodka with soda or drinking it straight, this difference can matter especially if you're having multiple drinks in a night.

Vodka and Sleep Disruption

Even though vodka doesn’t contain sugar or caffeine, it still disrupts REM sleep, which is critical for fat burning, memory consolidation, and hormone regulation. Just one or two shots can reduce sleep quality, leading to increased hunger the next day and slower metabolism. If you’re drinking vodka in the evening, the hidden cost isn’t just calories it’s a potential hit to recovery and appetite control the next day.

he Misleading Simplicity of "Just One Shot"

Saying “it’s just one shot” makes vodka sound harmless, but the phrase often underestimates real consumption. A night out rarely involves one neat 25ml pour. Shots are often poured generously, and if you're mixing drinks or taking double shots, you could be consuming 150 to 250 calories before any mixers are added. Multiply that across a few drinks, and you’ve quietly taken in the same energy as a full fast food meal with none of the satiety.

Alcohol Calories Are Metabolised Differently

Unlike calories from food, calories from alcohol are not stored as fat directly but they displace all other energy-burning processes. The liver treats ethanol as a toxin and prioritises breaking it down, which temporarily halts fat metabolism. While you're processing that vodka shot, any dietary fat or carbs you consume are more likely to be stored, not used. This is why alcohol, even without food, can stall fat loss or promote weight gain over time.

The Dehydration Connection

A single vodka shot is mildly dehydrating, and alcohol’s diuretic effect becomes more pronounced with volume. This dehydration can slow your metabolism, make you retain water the next day, and create a false hunger signal, pushing you toward calorie-dense foods post-drinking. Many people confuse thirst with hunger after drinking, leading to excess food intake well beyond the 96 calories in that initial shot.

Vodka in Cocktails: A Calorie Multiplier

The 96 calories in a shot of vodka are just the baseline. As soon as you turn that into a cocktail, you’re often tripling the calorie load. A vodka cranberry, for instance, jumps to over 180 calories once you account for juice. A Moscow mule lands around 200 calories, and drinks like espresso martinis or white Russians can top 300 or more not from the vodka, but from sugary liqueurs, syrups, and cream-based mixers. This turns “just a couple of drinks” into a stealthy 600-calorie hit.

Hidden Calories in Bar Pours

Bar and pub servings of vodka are rarely exact. Many establishments pour 35ml or 50ml measures by default, and some bartenders serve even more in practice, especially during free-pour nights or in high-end venues. If you think you're drinking a 60-calorie shot but you're really getting 1.5 ounces or more, the real calorie cost jumps fast and without measuring tools, there's no easy way to spot the difference.

Drinking Vodka on a "Calorie Budget"

If you're counting macros or trying to stay in a calorie deficit, vodka can fit into your plan but only if it's tracked like any other food. Many people account for food but forget to log alcohol, which leads to underestimating daily intake. Those calories still count, whether or not they come from carbs, protein, fat, or alcohol. If you plan ahead, reduce food intake slightly earlier in the day, and stick to low-calorie mixers, vodka can be included without derailing your goals, but it needs to be treated like a true part of your diet, not an exception.

Summary

A shot of vodka contains about 55 to 100 calories, depending on the serving size and strength. These calories come entirely from alcohol, with no sugar, fat, or carbs. While vodka is lower in calories than many drinks, it’s still energy-dense and has no nutritional value. It can interfere with fat burning, stimulate appetite, and lead to poor food choices when consumed in excess. If you’re trying to stay lean or keep your diet on track, vodka can fit in but only if you keep portions moderate and watch what you mix it with.