Comparing tequila and vodka is often driven by a desire to minimize the negative effects of alcohol consumption. Both spirits are clear, distilled liquors, meaning they share fundamental characteristics, but they differ significantly in their production processes and chemical makeup. Comparing the two requires moving beyond simple calorie counts and examining factors like chemical byproducts and, most importantly, the context in which each is typically consumed.
Nutritional Basics: Calories and Carbohydrates
When comparing a standard serving of the two spirits, the nutritional difference is negligible. A 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof (40% ABV) vodka or tequila contains approximately 96 to 97 calories. The vast majority of these calories come directly from the ethanol, which contains about seven calories per gram. Both spirits, being highly distilled, contain zero carbohydrates, zero sugar, and zero fat in their pure form. This makes them nutritionally identical, as their calorie count is a function of the alcohol content, not added sugars or starches.
Ingredient Purity and Congeners
The true chemical difference between the two spirits lies in the presence of compounds called congeners, which are toxic byproducts created during the fermentation process. Congeners, such as methanol and acetaldehyde, are thought to contribute to the severity of hangovers. Highly distilled and filtered spirits, like most vodkas, are designed to be extremely pure and therefore have some of the lowest congener levels. Tequila, by contrast, is generally considered to contain a higher congener load. This difference is amplified when comparing 100% Blue Agave tequila to “Mixto” tequila, which is only required to use 51% agave sugars. The remaining 49% often comes from added cane sugars or corn syrup, which can increase the congener content and the likelihood of a harsher hangover.
How Consumption Context Matters
Focusing only on the pure spirit overlooks the most significant factor impacting health outcomes: the mixer. A low-calorie spirit can quickly become a high-calorie beverage when combined with sugary ingredients. For example, a tequila shot with 97 calories is often turned into a margarita that can easily contain 170 to over 300 calories. Similarly, a vodka soda remains low in calories, while a vodka tonic or vodka cranberry can quickly add 30 grams or more of sugar. The choice of mixer and the serving size often contribute far more to the total caloric and sugar intake than the difference between the two base spirits. Regardless of the spirit chosen, moderation and pacing are the more influential factors.
Which Spirit is “Better”?
Nutritionally, pure vodka and pure tequila are nearly identical in terms of calories and lack of carbohydrates. The marginal difference lies in the chemical profile, specifically the congener content. High-quality, highly filtered vodka has one of the lowest congener counts available, which could theoretically lead to a less severe hangover for some individuals. However, the marginal benefit of a lower congener count is almost always overshadowed by the way the alcohol is consumed, especially the use of sugary mixers and the total amount of alcohol consumed.