What Vodka Mixer Has the Least Calories? The Ultimate Low-Calorie Guide

November 2, 2025 •

3 min read

A standard 1.5 oz serving of 80-proof vodka contains approximately 96 calories. When considering what vodka mixer has the least calories, the simple answer is any mixer with zero sugar, as the calories from mixers are primarily sugar-based.

Quick Summary

The lowest-calorie vodka mixers are those with zero sugar, such as club soda, sparkling water, and diet sodas. Adding fresh citrus or herbs can enhance flavor without adding calories, while avoiding sugary juices and syrups is key to keeping the calorie count down.

Key Points

Club Soda is King: Unflavored club soda or sparkling water is the undisputed lowest-calorie mixer for vodka, adding zero calories and refreshing fizz.
Diet Sodas are Great Alternatives: Diet sodas like Coke Zero or Sprite Zero are excellent sugar-free options for those who prefer a sweeter drink profile.
Enhance Naturally with Fresh Ingredients: Adding a squeeze of fresh lime, lemon, or grapefruit, or muddling fresh herbs like mint or cucumber, provides flavor without adding significant calories.
Avoid Sugary Mixers: Traditional juices (like cranberry or orange) and regular tonic water are packed with sugar and are the main source of calories in most vodka cocktails.
Calorie-Free Flavored Seltzers: Use zero-calorie flavored sparkling waters to create a wide variety of fruit-flavored vodka drinks without the sugar.
Watch the Vodka Proof: Remember that the vodka itself contributes calories based on its alcohol content; lower-proof vodkas will have slightly fewer calories.

The Undisputed Winners: Zero-Calorie Mixers

When the goal is to find the lowest-calorie vodka mixer, the choice is clear: opt for any mixer that contains no sugar. These options add volume and flavor to your drink without adding to the overall calorie count beyond the vodka itself.

Club Soda and Sparkling Water

Unflavored club soda and sparkling water are the number one choice for a truly low-calorie vodka cocktail. Because they are simply carbonated water, they contain zero calories. Mixing a shot of vodka with club soda and a squeeze of fresh lime creates the classic, crisp Vodka Soda, one of the lightest mixed drinks available. This is a favorite among those on ketogenic diets or simply watching their waistline.

Fill a glass with ice.
Add 1.5 ounces of vodka.
Top with unflavored club soda or sparkling water.
Finish with a generous squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice.

Diet Sodas

Diet sodas are another excellent option, offering a familiar, sweeter taste without the caloric cost of their regular, sugar-laden counterparts. Choices like Diet Coke, Sprite Zero, or ginger ale sweetened with artificial sweeteners contain zero calories. However, it's worth noting that some diet sodas contain a minimal amount of calories, so reading the label is always a good practice.

Flavored Seltzers and Waters

For a splash of fruit flavor without the sugar, consider flavored sparkling waters. Brands such as LaCroix, Bubly, or Waterloo offer a wide range of naturally flavored, zero-calorie options. These can be combined with vodka to create a more interesting drink profile than plain club soda, such as using a berry-flavored seltzer for a guilt-free fruity fizz. Alternatively, consider using water infused with fresh fruit and combining it with vodka for a natural and low-calorie mixer.

Elevating Flavor Without Adding Calories

Just because your mixer is calorie-free doesn't mean your drink has to be bland. You can introduce complex flavors using a few simple, natural additions.

Fresh Citrus

Adding a wedge or a squeeze of fresh lime, lemon, or grapefruit can completely transform a vodka soda, giving it a bright, tangy kick. These citrus additions contribute very few calories while providing a burst of flavor.

Herbs and Spices

Muddling fresh mint, basil, or cucumber into your drink can create an incredibly refreshing and aromatic cocktail. For a spicy twist, a dash of cayenne or a slice of jalapeño can add heat without calories.

Bitters

A few dashes of aromatic bitters can add complexity to a cocktail. Bitters are highly concentrated and used in such small amounts that their calorie contribution is negligible.

Low-Calorie Vodka Mixer Comparison


Mixer Type	Common Calorie Range (per 8 oz)	Notes
Club Soda/Sparkling Water	0 kcal	The top choice for minimal calories.
Diet Soda	0-10 kcal	Sweetened with artificial sweeteners.
Flavored Seltzer	0 kcal	Natural flavors, zero calories.
Diet Cranberry Juice	~40-50 kcal	Still lower than regular juice, but check the label.
Light Lemonade Mix	~5 kcal	Requires powdered or concentrated mixes.
Fresh Cranberry Juice	~130-150 kcal	Naturally tart, but calories from fruit sugar add up.
Regular Cranberry Juice	~180-200 kcal	Very high in sugar and calories.

Simple Low-Calorie Vodka Drink Recipes

Skinny Vodka Soda

1.5 oz vodka
Top with club soda
Garnish with a fresh lime wedge

Cucumber Mint Spritzer

1.5 oz vodka
Muddle a few slices of cucumber and fresh mint in a glass.
Add ice, vodka, and top with sparkling water.

Keto Moscow Mule (Variation)

1.5 oz vodka
1/2 lime, juiced
Top with a diet ginger beer or ginger ale.
Garnish with a mint sprig.

The Bottom Line on Calories

While some myths persist about the caloric content of clear spirits, the reality is that the calories in a vodka cocktail come primarily from the alcohol itself and any sugary additions. An effective strategy for keeping your calorie count low is to stick with zero-calorie mixers and use fresh ingredients to create flavor. For more information on low-calorie drink options and their nutritional content, resources like EatingWell provide excellent guidance. By being mindful of your mixer, you can enjoy a lighter, guilt-free drink that fits your dietary goals.

Ultimately, the simplest and most effective way to minimize calories is to use club soda or sparkling water. For those who want more flavor, diet versions of sodas and juices are a good step down from full-sugar mixers, but they should be used with an understanding of their calorie impact. Incorporating natural, fresh ingredients is the best way to add a vibrant taste without the added sugar, making for a healthier and more refreshing beverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a vodka soda is one of the lowest-calorie mixed drinks you can order. Since unflavored club soda or sparkling water contains zero calories, the calorie count for the entire drink comes solely from the vodka.

A standard 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof vodka contains approximately 96 calories. Since club soda has zero calories, the total calorie count for a vodka and club soda is about 96 calories, before any garnishes are added.

There is a significant calorie difference. While a vodka soda (using club soda) has around 96 calories (from the vodka), a vodka tonic (using regular tonic water) is much higher in calories due to the sugar in the tonic. Use diet tonic water to keep the calories low.

Yes, flavored sparkling waters from brands like LaCroix or Bubly are an excellent low-calorie mixer option. They are zero-calorie and can add a range of fruit flavors to your vodka without the added sugar.

Using diet cranberry juice is a great way to reduce calories compared to regular cranberry juice, which is very high in sugar. A standard 8 oz serving of light cranberry juice has around 40 calories.

For a sweeter low-calorie vodka drink, you can use a diet soda like Coke Zero or Sprite Zero. Alternatively, use a sugar-free syrup or a few drops of liquid stevia with sparkling water.

It depends. Some flavored vodkas, especially those marketed as 'infused' or 'zero sugar,' have no added calories from flavoring. However, others, particularly those that are sweeter or sold as premixed cocktails, can have added sugars and calories.