Skinny Girl Vodka is a brand of vodka made by Beam Suntory. As the name suggests, Skinny Girl Vodka is marketed as a lower-calorie vodka for people watching their weight. But what makes Skinny Girl vodka “skinny”? Let’s take a closer look at how Skinny Girl Vodka achieves its low calorie count compared to regular vodka.
Calories in Vodka
All vodka has calories, because alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. Standard vodkas are around 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). This means in a 1.5 ounce (44ml) shot of regular vodka, there are approximately:
- 1.5 oz vodka x 0.4 ABV = 0.6 oz pure alcohol
- 0.6 oz alcohol x 7 cal/g = 84 calories
So a typical shot of vodka contains about 84 calories.
Skinny Girl Vodka manages to have fewer calories by having a lower ABV. Skinny Girl Vodka is 35% ABV instead of 40% ABV. So a 1.5 ounce shot would contain:
- 1.5 oz vodka x 0.35 ABV = 0.525 oz pure alcohol
- 0.525 oz alcohol x 7 cal/g = 73 calories
By lowering the ABV, Skinny Girl Vodka only has 73 calories per shot instead of 84 calories, which is 11 fewer calories.
Other Ways Skinny Girl Achieves Lower Calories
In addition to having a lower alcohol content, there are a few other tricks Skinny Girl Vodka employs to create a “skinny” low calorie vodka:
Using Non-GMO Corn
Most vodka is made from common ingredients like wheat, rye, or potatoes. Skinny Girl Vodka is made from non-GMO corn, which is naturally gluten-free. Compared to wheat or rye, corn may be more digestible for some people and cause less bloating.
Triple Distilled
Skinny Girl Vodka is distilled three times rather than the industry standard of two distillations. Triple distillation results in a purer, cleaner vodka, removing more impurities. This helps create a smooth, crisp flavor without needing added sugars.
Infusions With Natural Flavors
Some flavors of Skinny Girl Vodka include natural fruit or spice infusions to enhance the taste. These natural flavors add minimal calories while giving more dynamic flavor notes. Flavors like citrus and berries create a lighter tasting experience.
No Artificial Sweeteners
Many low-calorie or diet beverages rely on artificial sweeteners like aspartame to reduce calories without compromising sweetness. Skinny Girl Vodka uses no artificial sweeteners or flavors, avoiding synthetic food additives.
Nutrition Facts for Skinny Girl Vodka
Here is the nutrition information for an average 1.5oz serving of Skinny Girl Vodka:
| Nutrition Facts | Per 1.5oz Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 73 |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, a shot of Skinny Girl Vodka contains minimal calories, carbs, sugars, and protein compared to other spirits. The lower calorie count comes from the 35% ABV versus 40% ABV in most vodkas.
Taste and Quality
While Skinny Girl Vodka touts its low calorie credentials, how does it actually taste? Here is a quick overview of the flavor and quality:
Smooth and Subtle
Thanks to the triple distillation process, Skinny Girl Vodka has a clean taste with a smooth, subtle flavor. There are no harsh alcohol burn notes. It has a light feel on the palate.
Mixes Well in Cocktails
With its mild taste profile, Skinny Girl Vodka tends to mix well in cocktails. It won’t overpower other ingredients, allowing the flavors of mixers or fruit juices to come through.
May Lack Character
Some vodka aficionados argue Skinny Girl Vodka lacks the character and nuanced flavor notes found in premium vodkas. The triple distillation process removes some of the organic flavors.
Good For Dieters
Those watching their weight will appreciate the significant calorie reduction versus regular vodka. The smooth flavor also makes it easy to drink neat or on the rocks.
Cost and Availability
Skinny Girl Vodka retails for around $12-15 per 750mL bottle. That positions it at the low end of the vodka price scale, making it an affordable diet-friendly option. It’s widely distributed and easy to find at most liquor retailers. Some of the flavors can be harder to locate and may cost a few dollars more.
Flavored Varieties
Skinny Girl offers these flavored vodka varieties:
- Citrus – Infused with lemon, lime, and orange
- Tropical Fruit – Infused with passionfruit, pineapple, and mango
- Berry – Infused with raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry
- Vanilla – Infused with Madagascar vanilla
- Salted Caramel – Infused with caramel and sea salt
The fruit flavors add about 5-10 calories per serving. They use natural flavorings to keep the calorie count low. The flavors provide some diversity for cocktails or mixed drinks.
Low Calorie Cocktail Recipes
Here are some slim cocktails you can make using Skinny Girl Vodka:
Skinny Lemon Drop
- 1.5 oz Skinny Girl Vodka
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 oz simple syrup
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Add ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon wheel.
Skinny Cucumber Martini
- 2 oz Skinny Girl Cucumber Vodka
- 0.5 oz dry vermouth
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- Thin cucumber slice for garnish
Add ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a thin cucumber slice.
Skinny Girl Cosmo
- 1.5 oz Skinny Girl Vodka
- 0.5 oz triple sec
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Add ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Is Skinny Girl Vodka Gluten Free?
Yes, Skinny Girl Vodka is certified gluten-free. Since it’s made from non-GMO corn instead of grains like wheat, rye or barley, there is no gluten content. This makes it a good vodka choice for anyone following a gluten-free diet.
Some people may still be sensitive to corn. But the distillation process helps remove proteins that could trigger corn allergies or sensitivities. Those with severe corn allergies should still exercise caution.
Is Skinny Girl Vodka Keto Friendly?
Skinny Girl Vodka is keto diet friendly. Pure spirits like vodka contain zero carbs or sugar, aligning with keto dietary guidelines. Some flavored vodkas add sugar, but Skinny Girl uses natural flavors to keep the carb and sugar count at zero. Enjoy it mixed with low carb mixers like seltzer or diet soda.
Keep in mind alcohol consumption can briefly pause ketosis. But otherwise vodka has no carbs or nutrients that conflict with the metabolic state of ketosis. It lets you enjoy cocktails while following a keto diet.
Comparison to Other Low Calorie Vodkas
How does Skinny Girl Vodka stack up against other low calorie vodka options? Here’s a look at how it compares:
| Vodka Brand | Calories | Carbs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skinny Girl | 73 | 0 g | $12 |
| New Amsterdam | 85 | 0 g | $11 |
| Crystal Palace | 72 | 0 g | $10 |
| Smirnoff | 80 | 0 g | $13 |
As you can see, Skinny Girl has one of the lowest calorie counts, while remaining competitively priced. The flavor infusions also help it stand out. Overall, it’s a solid low calorie vodka option.
Is Skinny Girl Vodka Vegan?
Yes, Skinny Girl Vodka is vegan friendly. The vodka is distilled from corn, and the flavored varieties use only plant-based fruit and spice extracts. There are no animal products used during processing or as ingredients. The vodka is also free of dairy, gluten, GMOs, and artificial additives. These attributes make it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Where is Skinny Girl Vodka Made?
Skinny Girl Vodka is distilled and bottled in the United States. The exact distillery location is not disclosed. However, it’s produced by Beam Suntory, one of the largest spirits companies in the world. They own distilleries located across the US that produce many top spirit brands. Skinny Girl Vodka adheres to the same rigorous quality standards and distillation methods as other Beam Suntory premium spirits.
Is Skinny Girl Vodka Related to Bethenny Frankel?
Yes, Skinny Girl Vodka was originally created by entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel. She founded the Skinny Girl spirits brand after struggling to find low-calorie cocktails she could enjoy while watching her weight.
Bethenny Frankel is best known as a reality TV star from shows like The Real Housewives of New York City and Shark Tank. She built Skinny Girl from scratch into asuccessful spirits company.
In 2011, Beam Suntory acquired the Skinny Girl portfolio of spirits from Bethenny Frankel for an estimated $100 million. Although she no longer owns the brand, Bethenny Frankel helped establish Skinny Girl Vodka and its healthy image.
History of Skinny Girl Vodka
Here is a brief history of how Skinny Girl Vodka came to be:
- 2007 – Bethenny Frankel begins development of a low calorie vodka recipe after being unable to find good diet cocktail options.
- 2009 – Frankel trademarks the Skinny Girl name and starts selling the vodka online and in some liquor stores.
- 2010 – Skinny Girl vodka appears on The Real Housewives of New York as Bethenny Frankel’s business venture.
- 2011 – Beam Suntory purchases Skinny Girl Spirits for around $100 million.
- 2012 – Distribution of Skinny Girl Vodka expands nationally in the US.
- 2014 – Flavored Skinny Girl vodkas like citrus and berry are introduced.
- 2018 – Skinny Girl Vodka reaches 1 million cases sold annually.
Bethenny Frankel’s creative low calorie vodka concept, combined with her reality TV fame, helped drive rapid growth for the brand. The acquisition by Beam Suntory enabled large scale production and distribution. Today it remains a leading low calorie spirit brand.
Should You Buy Skinny Girl Vodka?
Skinny Girl Vodka is a solid option if you’re watching your weight or following a low carb or gluten free diet. The lower calorie count versus standard vodka does make a significant difference. While not the most complex spirit, the smooth taste makes it very mixable in cocktails. Overall, Skinny Girl Vodka accomplishes its goal of being a diet-friendly, lighter drinking vodka.
Conclusion
Skinny Girl Vodka manages to cut calories by having 35% alcohol content compared to 40% in most vodkas. It also uses non-GMO corn, triple distillation, and natural flavors to keep the calorie count low without compromising taste. While making some sacrifices in flavor complexity, Skinny Girl Vodka succeeds as an affordable, diet-friendly vodka option. So for those watching their figure, Skinny Girl provides a way to enjoy vodka cocktails without all the calories. Just be sure to drink responsibly and in moderation.