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Vodka is a popular spirit enjoyed by many for its versatility in cocktails and its smooth, clean flavor when sipped neat.
But if you’re watching your calorie intake, you might wonder, “How many calories are in a shot of vodka?”
This guide aims to answer that question, exploring the calorie content of vodka and the factors that can affect it.
Understanding Vodka and Calories
The Calorie Content of Vodka
Vodka is a distilled spirit with a high alcohol content, typically around 40% alcohol by volume. Alcohol is relatively high in calories, with 7 calories per gram. This means that vodka can be quite calorie-dense.
A standard shot of vodka is 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters). In the United States, a shot of vodka — or any other distilled spirit — contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. Therefore, a shot of vodka (40% alcohol) has about 96 calories.
It’s important to note that this is for pure vodka. Flavored or sweetened vodkas may contain additional calories from sugar.
Factors That Can Affect the Calorie Content
While a shot of vodka has about 96 calories, there are several factors that can affect the total calorie content of a vodka-based drink:
- Mixers: Many popular vodka cocktails include mixers like juice, soda, or cream, which can add significant calories. For example, a vodka tonic could have over 150 calories, depending on the amount of tonic used.
- Flavored Vodka: As mentioned above, flavored vodkas may contain additional calories from sugar. Be sure to check the label if you’re watching your calorie intake.
- Serving Size: The standard serving size for vodka is 1.5 ounces, but many cocktails contain more than this. Be aware of your serving size when calculating calories.
Relevant Posts
A standard shot of vodka, which is 1.5 ounces, contains about 96 calories. However, the total calorie content of a vodka-based drink can be much higher, depending on the mixers used, whether the vodka is flavored, and the serving size.
