Absolut vodka is considered a sugar-free liquor with no carbohydrates, sugar, fat or protein. However, some flavored Absolut vodkas do contain added sugar. Plain Absolut vodka contains no sugar, while flavored Absolut vodkas like peach, ruby red, mandarin and raspberry contain 2 grams of sugar per 1.5 fluid ounce serving.
Plain Absolut Vodka Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for a 1.5 fluid ounce serving of plain Absolut vodka:
| Calories | Carbs | Sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 97 | 0g | 0g |
As you can see, plain Absolut vodka contains no sugar. This makes it a good option for people following low-carb or ketogenic diets.
Flavored Absolut Vodka Nutrition Facts
While plain Absolut is sugar-free, many of the flavored versions do contain added sugar. Here are the nutrition facts for some popular flavored Absolut vodka options:
| Flavor | Calories | Carbs | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolut Peach | 96 | 2g | 2g |
| Absolut Ruby Red | 100 | 3g | 2g |
| Absolut Mandrin | 100 | 2g | 2g |
| Absolut Raspberry | 100 | 2g | 2g |
As you can see from these nutrition labels, flavored Absolut vodkas contain around 2 grams of sugar per serving. The added sugar provides some sweetness and flavoring.
Sugar Content of Other Popular Vodkas
Here is how the sugar content of Absolut vodka compares to some other popular vodka brands:
| Vodka | Sugar per 1.5 Fluid Ounces |
|---|---|
| Absolut | 0g (plain), 2g (flavored) |
| Grey Goose | 0g |
| Smirnoff | 0g (plain), 1-7g (flavored) |
| Svedka | 0g |
| Ketel One | 0g |
| Skyy | 0g (plain), 2g (flavored) |
| Tito’s | 0g |
This comparison shows that most plain, unflavored vodkas are sugar-free. However, flavored varieties may contain 1-7 grams of added sugar per serving depending on the brand and flavor.
Should You Be Concerned About the Sugar in Flavored Vodka?
The small amounts of sugar in flavored vodkas are unlikely to be a major concern for most people. A standard 1.5 fluid ounce serving of vodka contains around 100 calories. The 2 grams of sugar in flavored Absolut add 8 calories, increasing the calorie count to 108 calories per serving.
This small increase in calories and sugar is negligible for most people. However, those following very strict low-carb or low-calorie diets may want to opt for plain vodka. People with diabetes should also be mindful of the extra carbs from flavored vodka.
Overall, the sugar content of flavored vodka is low compared to other mixed drinks. For example, a pina colada may contain over 50 grams of sugar from the pineapple juice and coconut milk.
Making Low-Sugar Vodka Drinks
If you want to cut down on sugar while still enjoying flavored vodka drinks, here are some low-sugar mixer ideas:
- Diet sodas
- Sparkling water
- Seltzer
- Diet tonic
- Sugar-free energy drinks
- Flavored seltzer waters like La Croix
- Water enhancers like Mio
- Lemon/lime juice
- Diluted juice
Combining flavored vodka with one of these low-sugar mixers allows you to create low-calorie, low-carb cocktails. Going with a spritz of lemon or lime rather than sugary juices is one of the simplest options.
Low-Sugar Vodka Drink Recipes
Here are a few flavored vodka drink ideas with less than 2 grams of sugar per serving:
Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka Spritzer
- 1 1⁄2 oz Absolut Ruby Red vodka
- 1⁄2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 4 oz sparkling water
- Lime wedge for garnish
Blueberry Lime Vodka Soda
- 2 oz Absolut Blue vodka
- 2 oz flavored seltzer like La Croix Key Lime
- Lime wheel for garnish
Orange Creamsicle Cocktail
- 1 1⁄2 oz Absolut Mandarin vodka
- 3 oz orange soda
- 1 oz cream or milk
- Orange slice for garnish
With some creativity, you can find ways to enjoy flavored vodka drinks without going overboard on sugar.
Should You Drink Alcohol on a Low-Sugar Diet?
Most standard low-sugar diets like paleo, low-carb and keto do not necessarily prohibit alcohol. Dry wines and sugar-free liquors like plain vodka and tequila can fit into low-sugar lifestyles in moderation.
That being said, limiting added sugars from drinks should be a priority when following any type of carb-conscious diet. Watch out for mixers with added fruit juices, purees, syrups and sodas that spike the sugar content. Going easy on beer and sweet wines is also generally advised.
As with any diet, your individual sugar and carb limits will vary based on factors like your metabolism, activity level, health status and weight goals. Track your drinks and aim to stay within your recommended macro ranges.
The Bottom Line
Plain Absolut vodka contains no sugar, fat, carbs or protein. However, Absolut vodka flavors like peach, mandarin and raspberry do include around 2 grams of added sugar per serving.
This small amount of sugar is unlikely to be a major concern for most people. But for those limiting carbs or calories, sticking with sugar-free plain vodka is the optimal choice. Overall, flavored vodkas contain minimal sugar compared to many cocktails and mixed drinks.