Gin vs. Vodka: Which Is Healthier for You?

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, a standard 1.5-ounce serving of 80-proof gin and vodka contains virtually the same amount of calories and no carbs or sugar. This surprising fact means the long-standing debate over which is healthier for you, gin or vodka, requires a closer look at the botanical ingredients, distillation process, and, most importantly, the mixers used.

Quick Summary

This article analyzes the nutritional content, potential benefits, and common mixers for gin and vodka to determine the healthier option. It covers botanical properties, calorie impact, and hangover potential.

Key Points

Nutritional Tie: On their own, both gin and vodka have the same low calorie, zero carb, and zero sugar content per standard serving.
Mixers are Key: The health impact is determined by the mixers; high-sugar juices or sodas can turn a clean spirit into a calorie bomb.
Botanicals are Not a Health Panacea: While gin contains antioxidants from juniper, the quantity in a drink is too small to provide meaningful health benefits.
Vodka for Fewer Congeners: Vodka's extensive filtration results in almost no congeners, making it the least likely spirit to cause a hangover.
Moderation is Essential: The healthiest approach is always to consume alcohol in moderation, regardless of which spirit you choose.
Simpler is Better: Opt for low-calorie mixers like soda water or fresh citrus to keep your drink as healthy as possible.

Gin vs. Vodka: Understanding the Base Spirits

Both gin and vodka are clear, distilled spirits that start from a base of fermented grain or potatoes. The primary difference lies in what happens after distillation. Vodka is filtered extensively to remove impurities and create a neutral, clean-tasting spirit. Gin, on the other hand, is infused or redistilled with a blend of botanicals, with juniper berries being the mandatory ingredient. This process gives gin its distinct piney and herbal flavor profile, contrasting sharply with vodka's neutral palate.

Calorie and Nutritional Comparison

When consumed neat, the nutritional profiles of gin and vodka are nearly identical. Per a 1.5-ounce (44ml) serving of 80-proof spirit, both contain approximately 96–97 calories, with zero carbs, sugar, or fat. The total calories come solely from the alcohol content itself. Therefore, a side-by-side comparison of the base spirits reveals no significant difference in healthiness. The true impact on your health comes from what you add to your glass.

The Importance of Mixers

This is where the "healthier" debate really comes into play. A plain shot of either is nutritionally similar, but cocktails can drastically alter the calorie and sugar count.

Vodka: Often mixed with sugary juices (like cranberry or orange) or sweetened sodas. A vodka cranberry, for example, can easily exceed 200 calories.
Gin: Traditionally paired with tonic water. Standard tonic is high in sugar, but using diet tonic or soda water with a squeeze of fresh citrus keeps the calorie count low.

Botanical Benefits: Fact vs. Fiction

Gin's botanical profile, particularly the juniper berries, has led to claims of health benefits, but experts caution against overstating these.

Juniper Berries in Gin: Contain antioxidants that some studies suggest could have anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects. However, the quantity in a standard drink is minimal and not enough to provide meaningful health benefits.
Vodka's Neutrality: Because it lacks botanicals, vodka does not offer these potential, albeit minimal, perks. Some older studies suggested cardiovascular benefits with moderate vodka consumption, but these are largely considered outdated and unreliable.

The Hangover Factor: Congeners Explained

Hangovers are primarily caused by the amount of alcohol consumed and the presence of congeners. Congeners are chemical byproducts of the fermentation process that can intensify hangover symptoms.

Vodka: Considered one of the purest spirits due to its extensive filtration, vodka contains virtually no congeners. This makes it the least likely spirit to cause a severe hangover, all else being equal.
Gin: While a clear spirit and lower in congeners than darker liquors like whiskey or red wine, it contains more than vodka due to its botanical components. For most, the difference is negligible, but those sensitive to congeners may prefer vodka.

Comparison Table: Gin vs. Vodka


Feature	Gin (1.5 oz, 80-proof)	Vodka (1.5 oz, 80-proof)
Calories	~97	~96
Carbohydrates	0g	0g
Sugar	0g	0g
Botanicals	Yes (contains juniper)	No (neutral spirit)
Potential Health Benefits	Minimal antioxidant/diuretic properties from juniper	Minimal; outdated studies suggest minor cardiovascular effects
Congeners	Very low	Virtually none
Best for Hangovers?	Less severe than dark spirits	Least likely to cause a hangover
Healthier Mixers	Diet tonic, soda water, citrus	Soda water, lime, diet mixers

The Verdict: Healthier Choice is Up to Your Drinking Habits

Ultimately, whether gin or vodka is healthier for you depends more on your individual consumption habits than the spirits themselves. In terms of raw nutritional data, they are essentially a tie. The choice of mixers is the single most significant variable impacting the calorie and sugar content of your drink. If you stick to simple, low-calorie mixers, a gin and soda with lime or a vodka soda can be a very similar, healthy option. For those concerned with hangovers, vodka has a slight edge due to its near-zero congener content.

To make the healthiest choice:

Drink in Moderation: This is the most crucial factor for minimizing the negative health effects of any alcohol.
Prioritize Low-Calorie Mixers: Choose sparkling water, diet tonic, or a splash of fresh juice instead of high-sugar sodas and syrups.
Stay Hydrated: Drink water between alcoholic beverages to mitigate dehydration and help prevent hangovers.

The Final Word

Both gin and vodka are among the cleanest spirits available, with low calorie and zero sugar counts when consumed neat. Neither offers significant health benefits, and any purported advantages from gin's botanicals are negligible in a standard drink. The path to a healthier drink is not through picking one spirit over the other, but by moderating your intake and being mindful of high-sugar mixers. The best choice is the one you enjoy most, prepared simply and consumed responsibly.

For more nutritional information and resources on alcohol, consult the National Institutes of Health.(https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/tools/calculators/alcohol-calorie-calculator)

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof gin and vodka contains approximately the same number of calories, around 96-97 calories, with no carbohydrates or sugar.

Since both spirits contain the same low number of calories, neither is inherently better for weight loss. The best choice for weight management depends on using low-calorie mixers like soda water instead of high-sugar options.

While gin's juniper berries contain antioxidants, the amount is too small to provide significant health benefits in a standard drink. Any positive effects are minimal and not a reason to consider it a health tonic.

Vodka is the least likely spirit to cause a severe hangover because its distillation process removes nearly all congeners, the byproducts that contribute to hangover symptoms. Gin contains slightly more congeners due to its botanicals, though significantly less than darker spirits.

Both gin and vodka are keto-friendly when consumed neat or with low-carb, sugar-free mixers, as they contain zero carbs.

Vodka is a neutral spirit with minimal flavor, while gin is a spirit infused with botanicals, primarily juniper berries, which give it a distinct herbal and piney taste.

To make your drink healthier, opt for simple, low-calorie mixers like sparkling water, club soda, or a splash of fresh lime or lemon juice. Avoid sugary juices, regular tonic, and sodas.