What has less sugar, vodka or tequila?

December 6, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data, both pure vodka and pure 100% agave tequila contain zero grams of sugar per serving. The question of what has less sugar, vodka or tequila, is often misunderstood, as the sugar content of an alcoholic beverage depends far more on the mixers than on the distilled spirit itself.

Quick Summary

Pure, unflavored vodka and 100% agave tequila are both sugar-free because the distillation process removes all carbs and sugars from the fermented base ingredients. The difference in sugar content is primarily determined by the choice of mixers used in cocktails, such as juices or sodas.

Key Points

Zero Sugar: Pure, unflavored vodka and 100% agave tequila both contain 0 grams of sugar due to the distillation process.
Mixers are Key: The sugar in cocktails comes from high-sugar mixers like juice, soda, and syrups, not the pure spirits.
Choose Wisely: Opt for 100% agave tequila and unflavored vodka to ensure no added sugars in the base spirit.
Calorie Equality: A standard 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof vodka or tequila contains a similar number of calories, around 97.
Healthier Choices: For low-sugar drinks, mix spirits with club soda, diet tonic, or a squeeze of fresh citrus.
Check Labels: Be aware that flavored vodkas or mixto tequilas may have added sugars, so always read the label.
Flavor vs. Neutrality: The main difference is tequila's distinct agave flavor versus vodka's intentionally neutral taste.

The Distillation Process: How Sugar is Eliminated

Both vodka and tequila start with starchy or sugary ingredients, but the refining process leaves the final product free of residual sugars. Understanding how each spirit is made helps clarify why the pure forms contain no sugar.

How Vodka is Made

Vodka can be made from a variety of fermentable materials, most commonly grains like wheat, rye, or corn, but also potatoes. The manufacturing process involves several key steps:

Fermentation: Yeast is added to a mash of the base ingredients to convert starches and sugars into alcohol.
Distillation: The fermented liquid is heated in a still, causing the alcohol to vaporize and separate from the water and other impurities. This process is typically repeated several times to achieve a very high alcohol content.
Filtration and Dilution: The resulting concentrated alcohol is filtered, often through charcoal, and then diluted with water to the desired proof. This final product, being only ethanol and water, contains no carbohydrates or sugars.

How Tequila is Made

Tequila is a protected Mexican spirit made exclusively from the blue agave plant. Its process is unique but achieves a similar sugar-free result in its pure form:

Harvesting the Agave: Farmers, known as jimadores, harvest mature blue agave plants, leaving only the heart, or piña.
Cooking the Piñas: The piñas are cooked for hours to convert complex carbohydrates into fermentable sugars.
Fermentation and Distillation: The sugary agave juice is fermented and then distilled at least twice. During distillation, the natural sugars from the agave are completely converted and stripped away, resulting in a product with no residual sugar.
Mixto vs. 100% Agave: It is important to note the difference between 100% agave tequila and mixto tequila. Mixtos are only required to be made from 51% agave, with the rest coming from other sources, which may include added sugars and other flavorings. For a sugar-free option, always choose 100% agave tequila.

Nutritional Comparison: Vodka vs. Tequila

When comparing pure, unflavored varieties of vodka and 100% agave tequila, their nutritional profiles are almost identical. The primary difference lies in their flavor profiles, which come from their base ingredients and production methods, not from added sugar.


Feature	Vodka	Tequila (100% Agave)
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Carbohydrates	0 g	0 g
Calories (1.5 oz)	~97 calories	~96-97 calories
Flavor Profile	Neutral, clean, and often without distinct taste	Earthy, vegetal, and sometimes slightly smoky

The True Source of Sugar: Mixers

Many people associate cocktails with high sugar because of the mixers used to flavor the spirits. Popular cocktail mixers often contain staggering amounts of added sugar, easily turning a sugar-free spirit into a high-sugar drink. Examples of high-sugar additions include:

Orange juice
Cranberry juice
Regular tonic water
Cola and other sodas
Syrups and liqueurs

Low-Sugar Cocktail Options

To enjoy a low-sugar drink, the key is to choose your mixers wisely. Low-sugar or sugar-free alternatives include:

Club soda or seltzer water
Diet tonic water
Fresh lime or lemon juice
Sugar-free flavored seltzers
Herbal infusions like mint
A splash of diet soda

Conclusion

In the direct comparison of what has less sugar, vodka or tequila, the answer is a tie, as both pure spirits contain zero grams of sugar due to the distillation process. The ultimate sugar content of a cocktail is determined by the mixers and flavorings added. For those seeking a low-sugar alcoholic beverage, focusing on 100% agave tequila or unflavored vodka combined with sugar-free mixers is the best approach. Making mindful choices about your mixers, not the base spirit, is the most effective way to control your sugar intake while enjoying a drink. Learn more about low-carb alcohol options and drink recipes at Ketogenic.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Neither spirit offers significant health benefits, and both have a similar calorie count. The healthfulness of a drink depends on the amount consumed and the mixers used.

Yes, pure, unflavored vodka and 100% agave tequila are both keto-friendly due to their zero-carb and zero-sugar content. However, you must pair them with low-carb mixers.

There is virtually no calorie difference between 80-proof (40% ABV) vodka and tequila. A 1.5 oz shot of either contains approximately 97 calories.

Yes, flavored vodkas often contain added sugars and should be checked for nutritional content, especially if you are monitoring sugar intake.

Use mixers with zero or minimal sugar. Options include club soda, diet tonic, sparkling water, or fresh fruit juice like a squeeze of lime or lemon.

The sweetness comes from sugary mixers like margarita mix, fruit juices, or syrups, not from the tequila itself. To reduce sweetness, use fresh lime juice and a sugar-free sweetener.

Yes, for tequila, choosing 100% agave is crucial for a sugar-free product, as mixto tequilas may contain added sugars. For vodka, sticking to unflavored varieties is best to avoid added sugar.

While the spirits themselves contain no sugar, alcohol can still affect blood glucose levels. The liver prioritizes processing alcohol, which can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar, especially for people with diabetes.