Calories In Vodka Diet Ginger Beer: The Ultimate Guide

Vodka and diet ginger beer is a popular cocktail choice, especially for those watching their calorie intake. Vodka is one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic drinks, with 65 calories per ounce, and zero carbs. Diet ginger beer, on the other hand, has no carbs or calories. This makes the combination a great low-calorie option, with the added bonus of a nice gingery bite. However, it's important to remember that alcohol can interfere with the body's fat-burning process, so drinking in moderation is key.

Vodka's calories

Vodka is one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic beverages overall, and it has zero carbs. A single shot typically has less than 100 calories. The more concentrated your vodka is (the higher the proof), the more calories it contains. The “proof” is a number that refers to the percentage of alcohol in the liquor.

For a 1.5-ounce shot of vodka, the number of calories are as follows:

70 proof vodka: 85 calories

80 proof vodka: 96 calories

90 proof vodka: 110 calories

100 proof vodka: 124 calories

Kettle One, Smirnoff, Grey Goose, Skyy, and Absolut vodka are all 80 proof vodkas and contain 96 calories per 1.5-ounce shot, or 65 calories per ounce.

A Moscow Mule, which contains vodka, ginger beer, and lime, has around 182 calories. This includes 96 calories from the vodka, 36 calories from the ginger beer, 48 calories from the simple syrup, and 2 calories from the lime juice.

If you are looking for a low-calorie cocktail, vodka and diet ginger ale is a good option. Vodka has 65 calories per ounce, while diet ginger ale has no carbs or calories. A traditional Moscow Mule can be made into a low-carb version by substituting the ginger beer with diet ginger ale.

Diet ginger beer's calories

Diet Ginger Beers: Calories

Calories in Diet Ginger Beer

Diet ginger beer typically has no calories or carbs. For example, Bundaberg Diet Ginger Beer Sparkling Drink contains 30 calories. However, this is an exception rather than the norm.

Calories in Vodka

Vodka is one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic beverages overall, with 65 calories per ounce and zero carbs. The number of calories in a shot of vodka depends on its proof, which indicates the percentage of alcohol in the liquor. For instance, 70-proof vodka has 85 calories, while 100-proof vodka has 124 calories. The higher the proof, the higher the calorie count.

Calories in a Vodka Diet Ginger Beer

The calorie count of a vodka diet ginger beer cocktail depends on the amount of vodka used and its proof. For example, a cocktail with 5 ounces of diet ginger beer and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof vodka would contain approximately 161 calories.

Low-Calorie Alternatives

To keep the calorie count low, vodka can be mixed with soda water, club soda, or a diet soda. Additionally, garnishes like lime wheels and mint sprigs can be added for flavor without significantly increasing the calorie count.

Moscow Mule's calories

Moscow Mule Calories

The Moscow Mule is a cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime, and sometimes simple syrup. It is typically served in a copper mug. While it is a delicious drink, it does contain a lot of calories.

Calories in a Moscow Mule

The number of calories in a Moscow Mule will depend on how it is made and how much of each ingredient is used. On average, a Moscow Mule contains around 182 calories. Here is a breakdown of the calories in each ingredient:

• Vodka: 96 calories per 1.5 fluid ounces
• Ginger beer: 36 calories per 3 fluid ounces
• Simple syrup: 48 calories per 1 teaspoon
• Lime juice: 2 calories per 1/4 fluid ounce

Ways to Reduce Calories in a Moscow Mule

If you are looking to reduce the calorie count of your Moscow Mule, there are a few things you can do:

• Use less alcohol: Vodka is a primary source of calories in a Moscow Mule. Reducing the amount of vodka in your drink will lower the calorie count.
• Use diet ginger ale: Ginger beer is another significant source of calories. Substituting it with diet ginger ale and adding fresh ginger can reduce the calorie count without sacrificing flavour.
• Use a natural sweetener: Instead of using simple syrup, try using a natural sweetener like honey or light maple syrup. While this may not save you many calories, it will introduce a more 'complete' form of sugar that is easier for your body to process.

Calories in Other Vodka Drinks

If you are looking for a lower-calorie alternative to the Moscow Mule, you can try mixing vodka with diet ginger ale. Vodka has about 65 calories per ounce, while diet ginger ale has no calories. This drink is a great option if you are counting calories or carbs but still want to enjoy a cocktail.

Remember that alcoholic beverages can contain a lot of calories, and these can add up quickly. Most alcoholic drinks have little to no nutritional value, so it is important to watch how much you drink if you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Vodka's nutritional value

Vodka is one of the lowest-calorie alcoholic beverages overall, and it has zero carbs. Vodka contains nothing other than ethanol and water. This means that vodka has no nutritional value. There are no sugar, carbs, fibre, cholesterol, fat, sodium, vitamins, or minerals in vodka. All of the calories come from the alcohol itself. Pure alcohol contains roughly 7 calories per gram. For reference, carbohydrates and protein both contain about 4 calories per gram, while fat contains about 9 calories per gram. This means that alcohol is nearly twice as fattening as carbohydrates or protein and only slightly less fattening than fat.

The more concentrated your vodka is (the higher the proof), the more calories it contains. The “proof” is a number that refers to the percentage of alcohol in the liquor. You can figure out the percentage by dividing the proof in half. For example, 100-proof vodka is 50% alcohol, while 80-proof vodka is 40% alcohol. The higher the proof, the higher the calorie count (and the bigger the effect on your blood alcohol content). For a 1.5-ounce shot of vodka, the number of calories are as follows:

• 70-proof vodka: 85 calories
• 80-proof vodka: 96 calories
• 90-proof vodka: 110 calories
• 100-proof vodka: 124 calories

The calorie content is generally the same between different brands of vodka that are the same proof. For example, Kettle One, Smirnoff, Grey Goose, Skyy, and Absolut vodka are all 80-proof vodkas and each contain 96 calories per 1.5-ounce shot, or 69 calories per ounce.

Distilled spirits, like vodka, rum, whiskey, and gin, only contain alcohol, so they have zero carbs. If you’re tracking your carbohydrate intake, vodka is an optimal choice. This may seem odd since vodka is made from carb-rich foods like wheat and potatoes. However, the carbs are removed during the fermentation and distilling processes.

Vodka is a good choice if you’re on a diet or just want to drink without an overload of calories. Mix vodka with soda water and a squeeze of lemon or a diet soda to keep the calorie and carb count low. However, it's important to remember that alcohol can interfere with the body's fat-burning process and that excess alcohol consumption can be very damaging to your overall health.

Ginger beer's nutritional value

A traditional Moscow mule cocktail contains vodka, lime, and ginger beer. Substituting ginger beer with diet ginger ale is a great option for those counting their calories or carbs but still craving a cocktail. Vodka has 65 calories per ounce and zero carbs, while diet ginger ale has no carbs or calories.

Ginger beer, on the other hand, has a different nutritional profile. For example, a serving of Bundaberg Ginger Beer has 11g of total carbohydrates, which includes 11g of added sugars. It also contains polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, as well as citric acid, yeast, and preservatives.

While vodka and diet ginger ale can be a good low-calorie option, it's important to be mindful of the overall intake. Going out for a couple of drinks can quickly add 500 or more calories to your daily count. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the body's fat-burning process, as the liver prioritises breaking down alcohol over metabolising fats. This "fat-sparing" effect can hinder weight loss efforts.

It's worth noting that the calorie content of vodka can vary depending on its concentration or proof. The higher the proof, the more calories it contains. For instance, a 1.5-ounce shot of 70-proof vodka has 85 calories, while 100-proof vodka has 124 calories.

Frequently asked questions