What Has More Sugar, Wine or Vodka? The Complete Nutritional Breakdown

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

While a standard shot of unflavored vodka contains zero grams of sugar, a glass of wine can contain anywhere from less than a gram to over five grams, depending on its style. This fundamental difference in production answers the question of what has more sugar, wine or vodka, though the full nutritional picture is more complex.

Quick Summary

Pure, unflavored vodka contains no sugar, while wine's sugar content varies widely based on its sweetness. A drink's final sugar count often depends on the mixers used rather than the alcohol itself.

Key Points

Zero Sugar in Pure Vodka: Unflavored, distilled vodka contains no sugar or carbohydrates due to its production process.
Wine's Varied Sugar Content: Wine's sugar content depends on its style, from less than 1g in bone-dry varieties to over 18g in very sweet dessert wines.
Mixers are the Hidden Culprit: For vodka-based cocktails, the mixer (e.g., juice, tonic) is the primary source of sugar, often adding a significant amount.
Flavored Vodkas Contain Added Sugar: Unlike unflavored vodka, flavored versions have sugars and flavorings added after distillation and are not sugar-free.
Check Your Ingredients: To minimize sugar, choose unflavored spirits with zero-sugar mixers or opt for dry wines and read labels carefully.
Moderation is Key: Regardless of sugar content, all alcohol contains calories and can negatively impact health if consumed in excess.

The Production Process: Vodka vs. Wine

Understanding the sugar content of wine and vodka begins with their creation. The primary difference lies in the process: fermentation for wine and distillation for vodka.

How Vodka is Made

Vodka is a distilled spirit, meaning it is heated and vaporized to separate the alcohol from the initial fermented mixture. This process removes the carbohydrates and sugars from the final product.

Source Material: Vodka can be made from various starches like grains (wheat, rye), potatoes, or even fruits.
Fermentation: Yeast consumes the sugars in the mash to create a low-alcohol liquid.
Distillation: This liquid is then distilled, often multiple times, to concentrate the alcohol and remove impurities, including all sugars and carbs.
Result: The final, unflavored product is a pure mix of ethanol and water, with a sugar content of zero grams.

How Wine is Made

Wine is a fermented beverage made from grapes. The sugar content of the final wine depends on how much of the grape's natural sugar is converted into alcohol by the yeast.

Grapes and Yeast: Grapes provide the natural sugars, which yeast feeds on during fermentation.
Fermentation Stop: The winemaker can stop fermentation before all sugar is consumed, leaving behind "residual sugar".
Wine Types: Different wine styles, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet dessert wines, are defined by the amount of this residual sugar.

Sugar Content by Type: Wine Breakdown

The amount of sugar in wine varies drastically. Here is a general breakdown per 5-ounce glass:

Bone-dry wines (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo): Less than 1 gram of sugar.
Dry wines (e.g., Merlot, Pinot Grigio): 1 to 1.4 grams of sugar.
Off-dry wines (e.g., Riesling, Zinfandel): 1.4 to 5 grams of sugar.
Sweet wines (e.g., Moscato, Port): 5 to 18 grams of sugar.
Very sweet wines (e.g., Icewine, Tawny Port): Over 18 grams of sugar.

The Role of Mixers: A Hidden Sugar Source

While unflavored vodka contains no sugar, the story changes dramatically with cocktails. The biggest source of sugar in most vodka drinks comes from the mixers. Sugary juices, sodas, and syrups can quickly turn a zero-sugar spirit into a sugar-laden beverage.

Common High-Sugar Mixers:

Cranberry juice
Regular tonic water
Simple syrup
Cola

The Exception: Flavored Vodkas

It is important to note that flavored vodkas are not the same as unflavored ones. Unlike pure vodka, flavored varieties often have sugars and other flavorings added after the distillation process. Some flavored vodkas can contain 5 to 15 grams of sugar per 100ml. For those watching their sugar intake, it is crucial to check the nutrition facts for these products.

Comparison: Wine vs. Vodka Sugar Content

To illustrate the difference, here is a comparison table showcasing the sugar content of different alcoholic beverage types per standard serving size.


Beverage Type	Serving Size	Approximate Sugar Content	Primary Source of Sugar
Unflavored Vodka	1.5 oz shot	0g	N/A
Dry Wine	5 oz glass	<1g	Residual sugar from grapes
Sweet Dessert Wine	2-5 oz glass	5-18g+	Residual sugar from grapes
Vodka Tonic (w/ regular tonic)	4-5 oz	15g+	Tonic water mixer
Flavored Vodka (e.g., Vanilla)	1.5 oz shot	Varies, can be 2-5g+	Added sugar/flavorings

Health Implications of Alcohol Sugar

Excessive sugar consumption, whether from food or drinks, is linked to various health concerns, including weight gain and metabolic issues. When comparing wine and vodka, considering sugar intake is important for diet and health management.

Why Sugar Content Matters:

Weight Gain: Sugary drinks contribute to empty calories that can lead to weight gain, especially abdominal fat.
Blood Sugar Levels: High sugar intake, particularly from mixers, can cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
Metabolism: Alcohol is prioritized for metabolism by the body, which can put the fat-burning process on hold.

For those looking to moderate sugar intake, sticking to unflavored spirits mixed with zero-sugar options like soda water or choosing dry wines is the most straightforward approach. For more detailed nutritional information on vodka, the resource from Healthline provides a solid foundation.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Sugar

When the question is what has more sugar, wine or vodka, the answer is clear: unflavored vodka contains zero sugar, while wine always contains some amount, ranging from trace amounts in dry wines to significant levels in sweet varieties. However, this simple comparison is incomplete without considering the impact of mixers. A cocktail made with unflavored vodka and a sugary mixer can easily surpass the sugar content of a glass of dry wine. Therefore, for those monitoring sugar intake, the type of alcohol is less important than the combination of the spirit and any additives. Always check ingredients and consider zero-sugar alternatives to minimize your sugar consumption while still enjoying a beverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while all wine starts with natural grape sugar, dry wines contain very little residual sugar (often less than 1 gram per glass), whereas sweet dessert wines have a much higher sugar content.

Unflavored, pure vodka contains zero carbohydrates. The fermentation and distillation process removes all sugars and carbs from the final spirit.

No, most flavored vodkas are not sugar-free. Unlike unflavored vodka, they typically have sugars and other flavorings added after the distillation process, increasing their sugar content significantly.

Residual sugar is the natural grape sugar that remains in the wine after the fermentation process is stopped. The amount of residual sugar determines the wine's sweetness.

Bone-dry wines, both red and white, have the lowest sugar content. Examples include Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, and Pinot Grigio.

Not necessarily. The sugar content depends on whether the wine is dry or sweet, not its color. Both dry reds and dry whites can be low in sugar, while sweet versions of either can be high.

Yes, unflavored vodka is zero-carb and acceptable on a low-carb or keto diet. However, you must be careful to avoid sugary mixers like juice or regular soda, which add carbohydrates.

The difference is in the production. Vodka undergoes a distillation process that purifies the spirit, removing all sugars. Wine is fermented, and winemakers can choose to leave residual sugar in the finished product.