Neither vodka nor tequila contains sugar when you’re drinking the standard, unflavored versions. A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof vodka has 0 grams of sugar, and a 1.5-ounce shot of 100% agave tequila is the same: 0 grams. The real sugar differences show up when you start looking at flavored varieties, lower-quality tequila, and the mixers that end up in your glass.
Why Straight Spirits Have No Sugar
Distillation is the reason. Both vodka and tequila start as sugary liquids: vodka from fermented grains or potatoes, tequila from fermented agave juice. But during distillation, the liquid is heated until the alcohol vaporizes and rises into a collection vessel, leaving behind everything that doesn’t evaporate at the same temperature. Sugar molecules are nonvolatile, meaning they don’t convert to gas during this process. They stay behind in the still. What comes out the other side is essentially alcohol and water.
This is true of any properly distilled spirit at its base. Gin, rum, whiskey, vodka, tequila: if nothing is added after distillation, the sugar content is zero or near zero. The roughly 97 calories in a standard shot of 80-proof vodka come entirely from alcohol itself, not from sugar or carbohydrates. Tequila at the same proof has a nearly identical calorie count for the same reason.
When Tequila Does Contain Sugar
Not all tequila is created equal. A bottle labeled “100% agave” means every fermentable sugar came from blue agave plants, and after distillation, no sugar remains. But “mixto” tequila only needs to be made from 51% blue agave sugars. The remaining 49% can come from other sources, typically cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Mixto producers also commonly add colorings, flavorings, and thickeners to mimic the look and mouthfeel of a premium tequila.
These additives can introduce small amounts of sugar into the finished product. If you’re comparing a bottom-shelf mixto tequila to a plain vodka, the tequila could technically have more sugar. The simplest way to avoid this is to look for “100% agave” on the label. If those words aren’t there, you’re drinking a mixto.
When Vodka Contains Sugar
Flavored vodkas are where vodka’s clean nutritional profile falls apart, though the details depend on how the flavor got there. True flavor-infused vodkas, where fruits or botanicals steep in the spirit during production, often contain no more sugar or calories than plain vodka. The flavor compounds dissolve into the alcohol without adding carbohydrates.
The problem is flavored vodkas that use sugary syrups added after distillation. These products aren’t always easy to distinguish on the shelf. A lemonade-flavored vodka cocktail can contain around 25 grams of added sugar per serving, roughly the same as a small candy bar. Current labeling rules for spirits don’t require manufacturers to list sugar content, so you often can’t tell from the bottle alone. The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has proposed requiring nutrition-style “Alcohol Facts” labels on all alcohol, including carbohydrate counts per serving, but sugar disclosure would remain optional even under the new rules, and compliance wouldn’t be required until five years after a final rule is published.
Mixers Are the Real Sugar Source
For most people, the spirit itself is a minor player in the sugar equation. What you mix it with matters far more. A vodka soda has zero sugar from the mixer. A vodka cranberry can have over 15 grams of sugar per serving. A vodka with lime and lemonade can range anywhere from 0 to 16 grams depending on the brand and how it’s made.
Tequila faces the same issue. A margarita made with fresh lime and a splash of agave syrup might add 5 to 10 grams of sugar. A premade margarita mix from a bottle can double or triple that. The spirit choice between vodka and tequila makes essentially no difference if you’re pouring either one into a sugary mixer.
If you’re trying to minimize sugar, the drink format matters more than the base spirit. Spirits served neat, on the rocks, or mixed with soda water and fresh citrus keep sugar at or near zero regardless of whether you choose vodka or tequila.
How to Choose the Lower-Sugar Option
For a straight pour, vodka and tequila are functionally identical on sugar. Both sit at 0 grams per serving. Your choice between them can come down to taste preference without worrying about a nutritional difference.
If you’re buying tequila, look for “100% agave” on the label to avoid mixto products with potential added sugars. If you’re buying flavored vodka, check whether the product is infused (generally no added sugar) or made with syrups and sweeteners (potentially significant sugar). And for cocktails, pay more attention to the mixer than the spirit. Swapping sugary juices, sodas, or premade mixes for soda water and fresh fruit is the single change that makes the biggest difference in how much sugar ends up in your glass.