One question seems to come up somewhat often: for calorie purposes, does the brand of vodka make any difference? Is Grey Goose calorically any better or worse than Smirnoff, Absolut, Skyy or well vodka? NOPE!
So, that’s why the liquor calories page only lists vodka by proof, which is 80 or 100. Unless specifically noted, vodka is 80 proof, though Absolut, Smirnoff and Stoli do offer the 100 proof variety. The rule of thumb:

Calories in a Shot of Vodka (1.5 ounces)

• 97 – 80 proof
• 121 – 100 proof

Note that there is one exception to the 97 and 121 rule in Devotion Vodka. Devotion has added protein, so even though it’s 80 proof, it checks in at 105 calories. Aside from the exception, in anything labeled “vodka,” all of the carbohydrates have been fermented into alcohol. There’s no residual sugar, and the calorie count is a direct result of its proof. So, what makes premium vodka any different than the stuff in plastic bottles? Basically, it’s the purity of the distillation and filtration process. The cheaper vodkas have more cogeners, which are nasty hangover-causing chemicals and the likely subject of a future post.

Vodka Mixed Drink Calories

Since it’s clear that the brand of vodka doesn’t determine calories, with mixed drinks, it’s all about how much is used and what the mixer is. A bartender with a heavy hand is going to make a more caloric drink, but you probably won’t end up drinking as many, so it should even out and be lighter on the wallet. If you’d like to learn more, check out:

• Sip This, Ditch That – Discusses calories in vodka tonic and other vodka-based drinks
• Mixed Drink Calculator – If you want to make your own drink and see how many calories it has

Calories in a Bottle of Vodka

Hopefully nobody actually wants to know the answer to this, but for 80 proof vodka, here it goes:

• 750mL (a fifth) – 1640 calories
• 1 liter – 2190 calories
• 1.75 L (handle) – 3830 calories