Vanilla vodka has grown in popularity in recent years as a versatile and flavored spirit. Its sweet and smooth taste makes it a popular choice for mixing into cocktails or sipping on its own. But many people wonder, with the added vanilla flavor, does vanilla vodka have more calories than regular vodka?
The short answer is: yes, vanilla vodka does contain more calories than regular unflavored vodka. However, the calorie difference is fairly minimal. In this article, we’ll break down the calorie content in vanilla vodka versus regular vodka and look at how vanilla vodka stacks up to other flavored spirits in terms of calories. We’ll also provide some tips for enjoying vanilla vodka without going overboard on calories.
Calories in vanilla vodka vs regular vodka
Vodka by itself is considered a lower calorie libation. Pure distilled spirits like vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey generally contain around 96 calories per 1.5 fluid ounce serving (a typical shot). This is because these spirits are distilled to remove the sugars and carbs that add calories.
Flavored vodkas like vanilla extract added flavors and sugars, which adds some extra calories. But in most cases, the calorie difference is less than you might expect.
Let’s compare the calories in some popular vanilla vodka brands to standard unflavored vodka:
Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka
– 1.5 fluid ounce (one shot): 97 calories
Absolut Vanilla Vodka
– 1.5 fluid ounce (one shot): 100 calories
Svedka Vanilla Vodka
– 1.5 fluid ounce (one shot): 104 calories
Tito’s Handmade Vodka (unflavored)
– 1.5 fluid ounce (one shot): 96 calories
Ketel One Vodka (unflavored)
– 1.5 fluid ounce (one shot): 96 calories
Grey Goose Vodka (unflavored)
– 1.5 fluid ounce (one shot): 96 calories
As you can see, the calorie difference is just 1 to 8 calories more per serving for vanilla vodka compared to regular vodka. Not a very significant increase. The vanilla flavoring has minimal effect on the calorie content.
This is because most flavored vodkas only contain trace amounts of sugar and flavor additives. The nutrition facts panels of these brands show 0g of carbs and sugar.
The extra 4-8 calories in a shot of vanilla vodka compared to regular vodka is negligible for most people’s diets. So if you’re concerned about calories, vanilla vodka is still an excellent low-calorie spirit option.
Calories in vanilla vodka vs other flavored spirits
While vanilla vodka is slightly higher in calories than regular vodka, it’s still very low in calories compared to many other flavored spirits like whiskies, rums, and liqueurs.
Let’s compare the calorie content of some other popular flavored spirits:
Bailey’s Original Irish Cream
– 1.5 fl oz (one shot): 171 calories
Kahlúa Original Coffee Liqueur
– 1.5 fl oz (one shot): 147 calories
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
– 1.5 fl oz (one shot): 105 calories
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey
– 1.5 fl oz (one shot): 122 calories
Jägermeister
– 1.5 fl oz (one shot): 140 calories
Goldschlager Cinnamon Schnapps
– 1.5 fl oz (one shot): 142 calories
As shown, other popular flavored spirits contain 100 or more calories per serving. Some liqueurs like Bailey’s Irish Cream contain over 150 calories in a single shot.
Compared to these options, a shot of vanilla vodka is an excellent lower calorie choice. The subtle vanilla flavor gives you flavor complexity while keeping calories minimal.
Tips for enjoying vanilla vodka on a low-calorie diet
If you’re watching your calorie intake, here are some tips for enjoying vanilla vodka without going overboard:
– Stick to 1-2 servings max. One shot of vanilla vodka is under 100 calories, so a couple servings fits into most diet plans. But calories add up fast if you overdo it.
– Mix with zero-calorie mixers. Try club soda, seltzer, or diet sodas as zero-calorie mixers. Fresh lemon or lime wedges also add flavor without calories.
– Avoid cream-based mixers. Cream liqueurs, milk, and juices can pack on calories. Avoid mixing vanilla vodka with these options if watching your calorie intake.
– Choose skinny cocktails. Cocktails like skinny vanilla cosmopolitans or vanilla lemon drops are made with low-calorie ingredients. Look up recipes for low-cal skinny cocktails made with vanilla vodka.
– Enjoy it on the rocks. Sipping chilled vanilla vodka over ice allows you to appreciate the flavor. Add a spritz of seltzer or squeeze of citrus for an elegant low-calorie drink.
– Don’t forget to account for calories. Be sure to factor the calories from vanilla vodka into your daily food intake. Enjoy it in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
The bottom line
Vanilla vodka contains only slightly more calories than regular unflavored vodka – about 4-8 extra calories per shot. Compared to many flavored spirits and liqueurs, it’s still an excellent low-calorie option at under 100 calories per serving.
By sticking to 1-2 servings max, avoiding high-calorie mixers, and drinking it straight up or in skinny cocktails, you can enjoy the sweet vanilla taste without sabotaging your diet. Vanilla vodka remains one of the lowest calorie flavored alcohol choices.