A 1.5-oz shot of 80-proof vodka contains 98 calories, with zero carbs, protein, or fat when served plain.
As pours go, a 1.5-ounce shot of vodka is tidy and predictable. That little glass carries a consistent dose of alcohol and, with plain vodka, a stable calorie count. If you track calories or write recipes, you’ll want numbers you can trust and a way to size them up fast, and quick to calculate on paper.
Calories In A Shot Of Vodka: 80-Proof Basics
In the United States, a 1.5-ounce pour of 80-proof liquor lines up with one “standard drink.” That measure contains 14 grams of pure alcohol. You can see that definition on the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s page on what a standard drink is. Using the simple rule that alcohol provides 7 calories per gram, a standard shot of plain 80-proof vodka lands at 98 calories.
Calories By Proof For 1.5-Oz Vodka
Proof varies by brand and bottle. The higher the proof, the more alcohol you get in the same 1.5-ounce volume, and the higher the calorie count. The table below shows the math for common proofs, using 7 calories per gram of alcohol and the standard 1.5-ounce pour.
| Proof (ABV%) | Pure Alcohol (g) | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 60 (30%) | 10.5 g | 74 |
| 70 (35%) | 12.3 g | 86 |
| 75 (37.5%) | 13.1 g | 92 |
| 80 (40%) | 14.0 g | 98 |
| 86 (43%) | 15.1 g | 105 |
| 90 (45%) | 15.8 g | 110 |
| 94 (47%) | 16.5 g | 115 |
| 100 (50%) | 17.5 g | 123 |
Why The Numbers Hold Up
One 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof spirit contains 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol, which equals 14 grams. Multiply those 14 grams by 7 and you get 98 calories. Harvard Health also notes the same 7-calories-per-gram figure in its primer on alcohol’s energy content; see Harvard Health’s overview.
Calories In A Shot Of Vodka: 80-Proof Vs 90-Proof
Stick with a plain pour and the only change in calories comes from the proof on the label. Move from 80 proof to 90 proof and the same 1.5-ounce shot climbs from 98 to 110 calories. That rise mirrors a higher alcohol fraction in the glass. No carbs arrive with that change, just more alcohol.
Does Vodka Have Carbs Or Sugar?
Plain, unflavored vodka is a zero-carb spirit. There’s no sugar, no fiber, and no protein. The energy all comes from ethanol. Flavored bottles can be a different story, especially dessert styles and cream liqueurs. If the label lists added sugar or a nutrition panel, factor those grams into the total calories.
Serving Sizes, Bar Pours, And Home Jiggers
Most recipes and many bars stick to a 1.5-ounce shot. Some bars pour 1.25-ounce singles, some pour 2-ounce doubles, and cocktail specs might swing based on the style of drink. If you care about your count, ask the bartender how they pour, or measure your own home jigger to be sure it holds what it claims.
Fast Conversions You Can Use
• Single, 1.25 oz at 80 proof: 82 calories
• Standard, 1.5 oz at 80 proof: 98 calories
• Double, 2.0 oz at 80 proof: 131 calories
Vodka Vs Gin, Rum, And Whiskey
Plain spirits behave the same way when proof matches. An unflavored 80-proof shot of gin, rum, tequila, or whiskey delivers the same 98 calories as 80-proof vodka. Color, barrel aging, or filtration do not change calories in a meaningful way. Sweet liqueurs are different because sugar adds energy on top of alcohol.
Why Some Guides Say 97, Not 98
Two tiny choices change the last digit. First, some charts use 42 grams as the mass of a 1.5-ounce shot, which nudges the result down a notch. Second, you’ll see rounding to whole numbers at different steps. Use 44.36 milliliters for the shot volume, ethanol density at 0.789 g/mL, and 7 calories per gram, and you land at 98 for 80 proof. Round earlier or assume a smaller shot mass and you’ll see 97. Both tell the same story.
How To Measure A Shot Accurately
Grab a jigger with clear lines, or a small kitchen scale and a steady hand. Fill the jigger to the 1.5-ounce mark and pour. On a scale, place the glass, tare to zero, then pour 42–45 grams of vodka for a standard shot. Repeat a few times to learn your pour. Consistency makes tracking easier and your cocktails taste better, too.
Simple Formulas For Quick Checks
Plain Vodka
Calories = 1.5 oz × (Proof ÷ 2) × 0.789 g/mL × 29.57 mL/oz × 7
Shortcut
At 80 proof: one shot = 98 calories. Add 12 calories for each 5-point jump in proof in that same 1.5-ounce pour.
What About Flavored Vodka?
Plenty of flavored vodkas keep the same calories as plain bottles, since the flavor can come from essences. Some lines add sugar. When the ingredient list shows sugar or the bottle carries a nutrition panel, treat it like a liqueur and add the sugar calories to the base vodka number. A quick taste gives clues: if it tastes sweet on its own, count extra.
Calories In Bigger Or Smaller Shots
Not every glass is the same. If you pour 1 ounce of 80-proof vodka, you’re looking at 65 calories. A tall 2-ounce pour? That’s 131 calories. Scale any proof the same way: multiply the numbers in the first table by your pour size, then round to the nearest calorie.
When You’re Tracking Macros
Plain vodka brings no carbs, fat, or protein. The grams you count come only from alcohol. For macro tracking, record the calories from alcohol and list carbs only when a mixer adds them. This keeps food logs clean and avoids double-counting from guesswork entries in nutrition apps.
Mixers Change The Math
Swap water or soda water in for sugary mixers and your tally stays near the straight-vodka baseline. Bring in tonic, juice, or regular cola and the picture turns fast. Calories in mixers vary by brand, so the numbers below serve as practical estimates for classic builds. Always check the label on your bottle or can when you want a tighter count.
| Drink | Build | Estimated Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka Soda | 1.5 oz vodka + 6 oz soda water | 98 |
| Vodka Tonic | 1.5 oz vodka + 6 oz tonic | 163 |
| Vodka Cranberry | 1.5 oz vodka + 4 oz cranberry cocktail | 153 |
| Screwdriver | 1.5 oz vodka + 4 oz orange juice | 154 |
| Vodka & Cola | 1.5 oz vodka + 6 oz cola | 173 |
| Vodka & Diet Cola | 1.5 oz vodka + 6 oz diet cola | 98 |
Smart Ordering At Bars
Pick a simple build and ask for a measured pour. A tall glass with lots of ice and soda water slows sipping without changing the count. Skip heavy syrups and whipped cream toppers. If a menu drink looks sweet, ask the bartender for a “less sweet” version or a clean vodka soda with a big wedge of citrus.
Practical Uses In The Kitchen
Recipe testers often pick vodka for crusts and quick infusions because it leaves no flavor once it evaporates. If your cooking plan includes a shot of vodka in a sauce or a batter, know that the raw calorie count starts at the same 98 per shot and drops as alcohol burns off during simmering or baking. The longer the heat, the fewer alcohol calories remain in the dish.
Troubleshooting Your Counts
Seeing swings on your log? Start with the pour. Many souvenir shot glasses hold closer to 2 ounces than 1.5. Measure once and mark a fill line. Next, check the bottle. Drinks labeled “spirit drink” or cream blends can sit near vodka but include sugar. A nutrition panel on the back is a clue.
Mixers often surprise. Small tonic cans are usually 7.5 ounces, not 6. Juice “cocktails” can be much sweeter than plain juice. For flavor without calories, use fresh lemon or lime. Bitters add aroma in drops; most people skip those tiny calories on a daily log.
Premixed vodka sodas list numbers on the can, but serving sizes vary. If you pour half a can, log half the stated calories. Many cans are 12 ounces while a rocks glass holds nearer 8.
Reading Proof And ABV
Proof is twice ABV. An 86-proof label means 43% ABV. Imported bottles may show only ABV. With either number, the first table lets you peg calories in seconds. Some flavored bottles sit at 35% ABV and save a few calories per shot; others keep full strength.
The Freezer Myth
Chilling vodka changes texture and aroma, not calories. Colder pours feel smoother, which can make sipping quicker. Use a tall glass and soda water to stretch a drink without changing the count.
Safety And Sensible Serving
Calorie counts matter, and so does pacing. A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof spirit is one standard drink. Spacing drinks, eating with them, and alternating with water will make any evening easier on your body and your next morning. If you choose to drink, set a plan that fits your health goals and stick to it. Know your limits and pace.