Quick Answer
Ketel One vodka can be considered a low calorie vodka option. A 1.5 oz serving of Ketel One contains about 97 calories, compared to around 100 calories for most other 80 proof vodkas. While not dramatically lower in calories, Ketel One does have slightly fewer calories than typical vodkas.
Calorie and Nutrition Facts for Ketel One Vodka
Here are the nutrition facts for a standard 1.5 oz serving of Ketel One vodka:
| Nutrition Facts | 1.5 oz Ketel One Vodka |
|---|---|
| Calories | 97 |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, a 1.5 oz shot of Ketel One contains 97 calories and zero carbs, sugar, or protein.
The calorie count comes almost entirely from the alcohol content. Ketel One is an 80 proof vodka, meaning it contains 40% alcohol. Alcohol provides around 7 calories per gram.
Given the typical serving size of 1.5 oz and 40% alcohol content, that equates to around 97 calories (1.5 oz x 40% alcohol x 7 calories/gram alcohol = 97 calories).
This calorie count is very typical for any 80 proof vodka, as the calories come predominantly from the alcohol rather than any added sugars or flavorings.
How Ketel One Vodka Compares to Other Popular Vodka Brands
Here is how Ketel One vodka compares in calories and alcohol content to some other popular vodka brands:
| Vodka Brand | Calories (per 1.5 oz) | Alcohol Content |
|---|---|---|
| Ketel One | 97 | 40% ABV (80 proof) |
| Tito’s | 100 | 40% ABV (80 proof) |
| Absolut | 100 | 40% ABV (80 proof) |
| Grey Goose | 98 | 40% ABV (80 proof) |
| Skyy | 96 | 40% ABV (80 proof) |
| Svedka | 96 | 40% ABV (80 proof) |
As you can see, most major vodka brands provide right around 100 calories per standard shot. This makes sense given their similar alcohol contents.
Ketel One fits right in with 96-98 calories per 1.5 oz shot. It is ever so slightly lower in calories than the 100 calorie industry standard, but only by 2-4 calories.
So while Ketel One is a bit lower in calories than other vodkas, the difference is quite small in practical terms. All 80 proof vodkas provide very similar calorie contents.
Why Ketel One Has Slightly Lower Calories
Given that most 80 proof vodkas have right around 100 calories per shot, why does Ketel One fall on the slightly lower end with 97 calories?
There are a couple reasons Ketel One may contain slightly less calories than regular vodka:
Distillation Process
Ketel One uses a unique distillation process involving copper pot stills. This thorough distillation process is able to remove more impurities and congeners (byproducts of fermentation) than other methods like column distillation.
Since congeners are where a small portion of alcohol’s calories come from, removing more of them through distillation means slightly less calories.
However, this is a very subtle effect in practical terms, only accounting for 1-2 less calories.
No Sugars or Flavorings
Many flavored vodkas add some sugars or flavorings that slightly increase the calorie count. For example, Absolut Citron has 110 calories, about 10 more than regular Absolut.
Since Ketel One is unflavored, it does not contain any added sugars or flavorings that would boost the calorie count. It’s just a pure distillation of alcohol and water.
Again though, the impact is very minimal – flavored vodkas may have 10-15 more calories than regular at most.
Does Ketel One Have Any Nutrients?
Like all hard liquors, Ketel One vodka does not contain any beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, or protein.
The only macronutrients it provides are calories from alcohol. There are no micronutrients.
So vodka should never be considered a healthy part of your diet or a source of nutrients. It simply provides empty alcohol calories.
Some liquors like wine may have small amounts of antioxidants. But the distillation process of making vodka strips away any nutrients that may have been present before.
Is Ketel One Considered Low Calorie or Diet Vodka?
Given that Ketel One only has around 3-4 less calories than typical 80 proof vodka, it would be misleading to truly consider it a low calorie or diet option.
The term “low calorie” is usually reserved for foods or drinks that are at least 25-30% lower in calories than typical options. For example, a low calorie beer should have at least 25-30% less calories than a regular beer.
With only about 3% less calories than Absolut or Tito’s, Ketel One does not meet the criteria for “low calorie vodka.”
However, Ketel One does market itself as a lower calorie option compared to other spirits. It’s technically true that it’s a few calories less than other vodkas.
But the difference is so minor that Ketel One should not be viewed as a diet vodka or significantly better for your waistline than other options. All 80 proof vodkas have very similar calorie densities at around 97-100 calories per shot.
Tips for Reducing Calories in Vodka Drinks
While Ketel One does not provide dramatic calorie savings compared to other vodkas, here are some tips for reducing the calories of vodka drinks:
Drink It Neat or On the Rocks
Avoid adding any high calorie mixers like juices, sodas, or sugary syrups. Instead, enjoy vodka chilled neat or on the rocks. This keeps the calorie count to around 100 calories per standard shot.
Use Low Calorie Mixers
If you don’t like vodka straight, mix it with low calorie options like:
- Sparkling water
- Diet soda
- Unsweetened iced tea
- Seltzer
- Soda water
- Fresh lemon or lime juice
Avoid regular sodas, juices, sweetened teas, tonic water, and other sugary mixers that can add 150-200 calories per serving.
Go for Vodka Soda
One of the most popular low calorie vodka drinks is vodka soda – vodka mixed with seltzer or club soda. This adds only a trace amount of calories while giving you the vodka flavor with some fizz.
Control Serving Sizes
Be mindful of actual serving sizes – 1.5 oz shots rather than heavy pours in large mixed drinks. This controls calories while still allowing you to enjoy vodka in moderation.
The Bottom Line
Ketel One vodka does have slightly lower calories than most other 80 proof vodkas, with around 97 calories per 1.5 oz serving compared to 100 calories for most others.
However, this small difference of 3-4 calories is not significant enough to truly consider Ketel One a low calorie or diet vodka. It has nearly the same calorie density as other unflavored vodkas.
Nonetheless, Ketel One is a quality vodka that fits well into a healthy diet when consumed in moderation and paired with low or no calorie mixers.
But don’t expect Ketel One alone to save you many calories if you drink vodka regularly. Focus instead on controlling portions and avoiding high calorie mixers to keep vodka drinks relatively low in calories. Ultimately it’s your drinking habits, not small differences between vodka brands, that determine the calorie impact.