Which alcohol is healthier, gin or vodka?

November 13, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, both gin and vodka have around 97 calories per 1.5-ounce serving, making their base nutritional content nearly identical. However, exploring the subtle differences in their ingredients, distillation, and common mixers is key to deciding which alcohol is healthier, gin or vodka, for your specific health goals.

Quick Summary

This article analyzes the health attributes of gin and vodka, comparing their calorie counts, potential botanical benefits, and the impact of common mixers. It covers the distillation process, hangover potential due to congeners, and best practices for mindful consumption. Ultimately, the healthier option depends more on how it's consumed than the spirit itself.

Key Points

Nutritional Equality: Standard servings of 80-proof gin and vodka contain almost identical calorie counts (~97 kcal per 1.5 oz) and zero carbs.
Mixers are Key: The choice of mixer (e.g., soda water vs. sugary tonic or juice) is the single biggest factor influencing the overall calorie and sugar content of your drink.
Gin's Botanical Edge: Gin contains minimal antioxidants from juniper berries, offering negligible health benefits over vodka.
Vodka's Purity: Higher-quality vodka has fewer congeners than gin, which may lead to a less severe hangover for some individuals.
Distillation and Gluten: The distillation process removes gluten from grain-based spirits, making both gin and vodka generally safe for those with celiac disease.
Moderation is Critical: The most important aspect of choosing alcohol responsibly is moderate consumption, regardless of the type of spirit.

Nutritional Comparison: A Closer Look at Gin and Vodka

At a fundamental level, both gin and vodka are clear, distilled spirits with very similar nutritional profiles when served neat. A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof gin or vodka contains approximately 96–97 calories, with zero carbohydrates, sugar, or fat. Since almost all the calories come from the alcohol itself, the primary difference lies beyond the basic nutritional breakdown.

The Role of Botanicals in Gin

Gin's defining characteristic is its infusion with botanicals, with juniper berries being the mandatory core ingredient. These botanicals are the source of most of gin's purported (though minimal) health advantages. The juniper berries contain antioxidants and flavonoids that have been used traditionally for their anti-inflammatory properties and to support digestion.

Potential benefits attributed to gin's botanicals:

Antioxidant Properties: Juniper berries are rich in antioxidants that help combat free radicals.
Digestive Aid: Juniper berries have traditionally been used to aid digestion.
Diuretic Effects: The diuretic effect of juniper can help with water retention.

It's important to understand that the concentration of these beneficial compounds in a standard serving of gin is very low and unlikely to provide significant health benefits.

Vodka's Purity and Congener Content

Vodka, by contrast, is known for its neutrality. It is distilled multiple times, resulting in a purer spirit with a much lower congener content compared to most other alcohols. Congeners are chemical byproducts of the fermentation process that are thought to contribute to more severe hangovers. Due to its high level of distillation, high-quality vodka typically has fewer congeners than gin, which could lead to a less intense hangover, assuming all other factors are equal.

The Real Decider: Mixers and Consumption

When comparing the healthiness of gin versus vodka, the spirit itself is less important than what is mixed with it. Both are low-calorie and carb-free on their own. However, a vodka soda with a twist of lime is inherently healthier than a vodka cranberry, which can add significant calories and sugar. Similarly, a gin and diet tonic is a much better choice than a gin and regular tonic, which is loaded with sugar.

Healthier Mixer Alternatives:

Soda Water/Club Soda: Zero calories and sugar, provides effervescence.
Diet Tonic Water: Provides the classic G&T taste with a fraction of the calories.
Fresh Citrus: Squeezed lemon, lime, or grapefruit adds flavor without extra sugar.
Low-Sugar Kombucha: Adds flavor and probiotics.

Comparison Table: Gin vs. Vodka


Feature	Gin	Vodka
Calories (1.5 oz, 80-proof)	~97 calories	~97 calories
Carbohydrates	0 grams	0 grams
Distillation Base	Grain or potato, then infused with botanicals	Grain, potato, corn, or grapes
Flavor Profile	Distinct botanical, juniper-forward taste	Neutral, clean taste
Congeners	Typically more congeners due to botanicals	Typically fewer congeners due to higher purity
Potential Health Perks	Minimal benefits from juniper antioxidants	None beyond general, moderate alcohol consumption
Mixing Potential	Best with complementary herbal or citrus flavors	Highly versatile due to neutral taste

Important Considerations for Gluten-Free Diets

For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the source of the spirit can be a concern. Both gin and vodka can be made from gluten-containing grains like wheat or barley. However, according to Coeliac UK, the distillation process removes all traces of gluten, making these spirits safe for consumption. If you are extremely sensitive, choosing spirits made from naturally gluten-free ingredients like potatoes, corn, or grapes is the safest option.

Conclusion: Which is Better for Your Health?

When deciding which alcohol is healthier, gin or vodka, the honest conclusion is that they are very similar from a nutritional standpoint. The core spirit itself is a low-calorie, zero-carb option in both cases. Gin offers a distinctive flavor from its botanicals, which provide minor antioxidant benefits, but these are too small to be considered a meaningful health perk. Vodka's neutrality and lower congener content might make it the better choice for those prone to hangovers. The most significant health difference comes down to the mixers. Choosing a simple, low-sugar mixer like soda water with a splash of fresh fruit juice is the most important step for maintaining a healthier approach to either spirit. Ultimately, moderate and responsible consumption is the most critical factor for your health, regardless of whether you choose gin or vodka.

For more detailed information on the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for alcohol, you can visit the official NIH website.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no significant difference in calorie or carb content between gin and vodka, so neither is inherently better for weight loss. The key is to avoid sugary mixers and focus on moderate consumption.

While gin's botanicals, like juniper, contain antioxidants, the amount in a typical serving is so minimal that it does not provide any meaningful health benefits compared to vodka.

Hangovers are primarily determined by how much you drink, but a spirit's congener content can play a role. Vodka is generally purer with fewer congeners than gin, potentially leading to a less severe hangover.

Both gin and vodka are generally considered gluten-free due to the distillation process, which removes the gluten protein. For maximum safety, you can opt for spirits made from non-grain ingredients like potatoes or grapes.

To make a healthier cocktail, use simple, low-calorie mixers like soda water, light tonic, or fresh citrus juice. Avoid pre-packaged or sugary mixers, as they significantly increase calorie and sugar content.

Yes, many flavored vodkas contain added sugars and artificial ingredients to create their taste. Pure, unflavored vodka is a cleaner, lower-calorie option.

A standard serving (1.5 ounces) of both gin and vodka typically has the same alcohol content, around 40% ABV (80 proof). The difference lies in their flavor profiles, not their alcoholic strength.