Calories in Wine vs Vodka: Factors to Consider
When you sit down to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day, the last thing you think about is the number of calories in each glass. And when you make yourself a vodka soda, you are likely focusing on the refreshing taste, not the carbs.
On the other hand, if you are thinking about the nutritional information, we totally get that! You want to enjoy yourself and your favorite beverages, but you also want to know what you are putting into your body.
It doesn’t have to be one or the other. You can enjoy your drink of choice while still being educated on things like calories, ingredients, and the process of how it was made. While many people sip their drinks care-free, there are those who like to track their caloric intake each day. This can be for a variety of reasons, such as dieting or aiming for a certain number of calories each day.
The good news is, most alcohols are relatively low in calories. Each type does vary, but overall, one or two glasses will not set you back too much when it comes to calories. Obviously, there are some exceptions, such as some varieties of beer, which can be higher in calories and carbs.
So whether you are tracking your calories or just plain curious, read on to find out the calories in wine and vodka, along with the other nutritional differences.
What Is The Calorie Difference Between Wine and Vodka?
Let’s start with the basics: it’s pretty clear that wine and vodka are very different kinds of beverages. From taste to serving size to ingredients, these two favorites don’t share a ton of similarities, so of course that’s going to roll over into the calories that they have. Lucky for you, though, both wine and vodka are actually pretty manageable when it comes to caloric intake!
How Many Calories Are in Different Kinds of Wine?
Though most wine is in the same ballpark when it comes to calories, there are several varieties and the calories do differ. These wines also range from sweet to dry. Let’s take a look at the different types of wine and how many calories are in each one:
- White wine: This includes chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, and others. White wines can be dry or sweet. The average glass ranges from 111-173 calories, depending on the type.
- Red wine: This includes pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and others. Red wines can also be dry or sweet. The average glass is slightly higher and ranges from 135-195 calories.
- Sparkling wine: This includes cava, prosecco, and brut champagne. Typically, one glass has around 150-160 calories.
- Dessert wine: This includes Moscato, sherry, and port. The serving size for dessert wine is smaller, and the calories are higher. A 3oz glass of dessert wine ranges from 189-275 calories.
How Many Calories Are in Vodka?
If you are a vodka lover, good news: it is extremely low in calories. In fact, it is one of the lowest-calorie alcohols! For those dieting but still drinking alcohol, vodka is typically the go-to due to its low calories and non-existent carbs.
It is considered a much lower calorie alternative to beer and wine. When it comes to its caloric content, there is a simple way to look at it: the higher the proof, the higher the calories. Basically, the more alcohol in the vodka, the more calories it will have.
Here is a breakdown of roughly how many calories are in a 1.5 ounce shot of vodka (note- while it can vary depending on the brand, most brands have the same caloric information if it is the same proof):
- 70 proof: 85 calories
- 80 proof: 96 calories
- 90 proof: 110 calories
- 100 proof: 124 calories
Which Is The Healthier Alcohol?
The truth is, no alcohol is great for your health. Sure, a glass of red wine can be good for the heart, and a nightcap once in a while can definitely help you relax. But besides the calories, alcohol is alcohol at the end of the day. By this, we mean everything should be consumed in moderation.
Both vodka and wine are pretty low in calories, generally. The key is to not go overboard and stick to one to two glasses of wine or the equivalent of one to two shots of vodka.
There are also other nutritional values to consider, such as carbs and sugar. When you look at the overall picture, any alcohol that has added juices and mixers is going to be loaded with sugar and therefore higher in calories. If you are comparing alcohol that is straight up, vodka has zero grams of everything: carbs, sugar, fat, sodium, etc., whereas wine does have sugar and carb content.
Conclusion
When it comes to calories, most alcohols are pretty low. This is, of course, not including mixers and additives for vodka drinks. As is, both vodka and wine are low in calories, so as long as you’re consuming in moderation, you can have a drink and know you’re sticking with your diet.
Wine is a bit different than vodka because it comes in a few varieties, such as white and red, sweet and dry. The calories range within all of these varieties.
Vodka is, overall, a lower calorie option. The range of calories differs depending on the proof of the alcohol. If it is higher proof, it will have more calories than a lower proof vodka. One great thing is that pretty much all brands have the same caloric information if the bottles are the same proof.
Try not to stress about the calories in your favorite drinks. If you are healthy and smart about the amount you are drinking, there is no need to worry! Have fun, enjoy a drink, and treat yourself.
The next time you want your favorite wine or need a new type of vodka for a specialty cocktail, use Saucey to make things easier on yourself. We deliver a huge selection of all types of alcohol, and our services are fast and easy.
