Skinny Girl vodka is a low-calorie vodka that became popular in the late 2000s. The brand was created by Bethenny Frankel, one of the stars of The Real Housewives of New York City. Skinny Girl vodka is marketed as a lower calorie alternative to traditional vodka, but does it really have fewer calories?
Calorie content of Skinny Girl vodka
According to the Skinny Girl website, their vodka has 42 calories per 1.5 fluid ounce serving compared to around 96 calories for the same serving of regular vodka. This equates to about 30% fewer calories than regular vodka.
The lower calorie content is achieved by distilling the vodka multiple times to remove more impurities and diluting it with water to bring the alcohol content down to 40% ABV (80 proof) from a typical 40-50% ABV for regular vodka. Less alcohol means fewer calories.
How Skinny Girl vodka compares to other low-calorie vodkas
Skinny Girl is not the only low-calorie vodka on the market. Here’s how it compares to some other popular brands:
| Vodka | Calories (per 1.5 fl oz) |
|---|---|
| Skinny Girl | 42 |
| Smirnoff Sorbet Light | 73 |
| Ketel One Botanical | 73 |
| Deep Eddy | 70 |
As you can see, Skinny Girl has the lowest calorie count per serving of the low-calorie vodkas shown here. However, the differences are relatively small. For example, Deep Eddy vodka only has about 30 more calories per serving compared to Skinny Girl.
Does less calories mean lower quality?
Some people assume that a vodka with fewer calories must be lower in quality or taste worse than higher calorie options. However, this is not necessarily true.
The calorie content of vodka is determined mainly by the alcohol percentage. When creating lower calorie vodka, most brands focus on bringing the ABV down through additional distillation and dilution with water. This process does not have to compromise the flavor.
Many vodka experts and aficionados have done blind taste tests comparing low-calorie vodkas to their full-calorie counterparts. In most cases, there is little to no taste difference discernible.
For example, Skinny Girl vodka has repeatedly won awards and praise for its smooth, crisp taste despite having fewer calories. It uses high quality grain neutral spirits and proprietary filtration processes specifically designed to preserve taste while removing calories.
The bottom line on calories
When choosing among vodka brands, keep the following points in mind regarding calories:
- All hard liquors like vodka contain calories, there is no truly “zero-calorie” option.
- Low-calorie vodkas range from about 70-100 calories per standard 1.5oz pour.
- Skinny Girl has the lowest calories at around 40 per serving, but other brands are comparable.
- Fewer calories does not necessarily mean reduced flavor or quality.
- Focus on taste and drink responsibly. Vodka’s calories should not be a major concern.
Other nutrition facts to consider
In addition to calories, some other nutritional aspects of vodka include:
Carbohydrates
Vodka contains minimal carbohydrates. A 1.5oz serving of Skinny Girl or other vodkas typically has less than 1g carb.
Sugars
Unflavored vodka like Skinny Girl has no sugar. Some flavored vodkas may have added sugars, but Skinny Girl’s flavors use artificial sweeteners.
Protein
Vodka does not contain protein or any other macronutrients. The caloric content comes purely from the alcohol.
Micronutrients
Vodka lacks vitamins, minerals, fiber and other micronutrients. It should not be considered a significant source of any beneficial micronutrients.
So in terms of nutrition, vodka including Skinny Girl provides only calories from alcohol and minimal carbs. There are no other macro- or micronutrients of note.
Does Skinny Girl vodka have any health benefits?
Some research shows potential health benefits of moderate vodka consumption, including:
- Increased HDL (good) cholesterol
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
- Lower stress levels
- Anti-inflammatory effects
However, these benefits apply to moderate consumption of vodka in general. There is no research to suggest health advantages specific to lower calorie brands like Skinny Girl.
Any potential benefits of spirits like vodka should be weighed against the well-established health risks of excessive alcohol intake.
Is Skinny Girl vodka keto-friendly?
The ketogenic or “keto” diet involves restricting carbohydrate intake to achieve a state of ketosis for weight loss or other health goals. Spirits like vodka are generally considered keto-friendly because they contain minimal carbs and will not take you out of ketosis.
Some specific points on keto and Skinny Girl vodka:
- Skinny Girl contains less than 1g net carb per serving
- It’s sugar-free and does not use high-carb flavorings
- Enjoying vodka on keto does not require a special low-carb brand
- As with any alcohol, moderation is key – excessive intake may stall weight loss
So Skinny Girl vodka fits into a keto diet the same as any other unflavored vodka. It offers no specific benefits or disadvantages for the keto lifestyle.
Is Skinny Girl vodka gluten-free?
Yes, Skinny Girl vodka is certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group. This applies to all unflavored and flavored varieties.
Vodka made from grain neutral spirits, as Skinny Girl is, typically contains no gluten. However, some vodkas may risk cross-contamination if not properly distilled and processed in gluten-free facilities.
The Gluten Intolerance Group’s certification provides assurance that Skinny Girl vodka avoids any gluten cross-contact and maintains strict safety standards.
So those following a gluten-free diet can feel comfortable drinking Skinny Girl vodka according to their dietary preferences and needs.
Does Bethenny Frankel still own Skinny Girl vodka?
Bethenny Frankel created and launched Skinny Girl Vodka in 2008. In 2011, she sold the brand to Beam Suntory for a reported $100 million.
Although she no longer owns the brand, Bethenny Frankel is still the face of Skinny Girl and frequently promotes the vodka through appearances and social media. She helped take the brand mainstream and maintains a close association with it in most people’s minds.
The brand has expanded far beyond just vodka since being acquired by Beam Suntory. Skinny Girl products now include wine, cocktail mixes, shapewear, food products and more. But Frankel’s original low-calorie vodka remains the core and most popular product.
Popularity and reviews
Since hitting the market in 2008, Skinny Girl vodka has become one of the top-selling low-calorie spirit brands in the United States.
It enjoys positive reviews from both vodka drinkers looking for lower calorie options and fans of Bethenny Frankel and the Skinny Girl brand. Some of the common positives mentioned are:
- Smooth, crisp taste despite lower calories
- Goes down very easily even when drinking straight shots
- Mixes cleanly without any harsh “burned” alcohol flavor
- Reasonable price point compared to other low-calorie spirits
Critical reviews of Skinny Girl focus mainly on the taste being unremarkable or too bland. However, many vodka drinkers prefer a more neutral flavor profile that mixes cleanly rather than strong flavor.
Overall, Skinny Girl vodka remains a hit with its core demographic of calorie-conscious female vodka drinkers and fans of Bethenny Frankel’s empire.
Common vodka cocktail recipes with Skinny Girl
Here are some popular cocktail recipes that work well with Skinny Girl’s low-calorie vodka:
Skinny Girl Bloody Mary
- 1.5 oz Skinny Girl Vodka
- 3 oz tomato juice
- 1 dash hot sauce
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
- 1 dash horseradish
- 1 dash celery salt & black pepper
- Lime wedge
Skinny Girl Martini
- 2 oz Skinny Girl Vodka
- .5 oz dry vermouth
- Green olive or lemon twist garnish
Skinny Girl Cosmopolitan
- 1.5 oz Skinny Girl Vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- .5 oz lime juice
- .5 oz triple sec
- Lime wheel garnish
Skinny Girl Sea Breeze
- 1.5 oz Skinny Girl Vodka
- 3 oz grapefruit juice
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- Lime wedge garnish
Skinny Girl Moscow Mule
- 2 oz Skinny Girl Vodka
- 4-6 oz ginger beer
- Squeeze of lime
- Mint sprig & lime wedge garnish
Frequently asked questions
Does Skinny Girl make you skinny?
No, drinking Skinny Girl vodka in itself does not make you skinny or cause weight loss. As with any vodka, moderation is key. The “skinny” name refers to the lower calorie content compared to regular vodka.
Is Skinny Girl good quality vodka?
Yes, Skinny Girl is considered a good quality vodka. Despite having lower calories, it is distilled from premium grain neutral spirits and goes through a proprietary filtration process. Tests have shown it stacks up well to more expensive vodkas in blind taste tests.
Where is Skinny Girl vodka made?
Skinny Girl vodka is distilled and bottled in France. This gives it credibility as France is known for high quality spirits.
Is Skinny Girl vodka gluten free?
Yes, Skinny Girl vodka is certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Does Skinny Girl vodka have sugar?
No, Skinny Girl unflavored vodka contains no sugar. The flavored varieties use artificial sweeteners rather than added sugars.
The bottom line
Skinny Girl Vodka lives up to its marketing promises of having lower calories than regular vodka. A 1.5oz serving comes in around 40 calories compared to 90-100 for most vodka. This calorie reduction comes from extra distillation and dilution to lower the ABV.
While not the absolute lowest calorie vodka option, Skinny Girl has become popular based on its smooth taste, smart marketing and association with Bethenny Frankel. It allows vodka drinkers to moderately reduce their calorie intake without sacrificing on enjoyment.
However, vodka’s calorie content alone should not be a major concern for responsible drinkers. Moderation, measuring pours accurately and not drinking excessively are better strategies than fixating on the specific calorie counts of certain brands.
Overall, Skinny Girl can be an enjoyable low-calorie vodka option but it will not in itself make you skinny or fit. Balance and moderation remain key when drinking any spirits.
