Vodka is the ghost of the liquor world. It’s flavorless, odorless, and loves to hide in a martini. Gin is the loud, botanical cousin who shows up in a floral shirt.
Both clock in at about 97 calories per 1.5-ounce shot. That’s roughly the same as two small cookies. But calories aren’t the whole story.
Vodka: The Neutral Ninja
Vodka is just ethanol and water. It’s distilled from potatoes, grains, or even grapes. No sugar, no carbs, no flavor. That’s its superpower.
Because it’s so neutral, vodka mixes with almost anything. Bloody Mary? Sure. Cranberry juice? Easy. But this purity also means your body processes it fast.
Fun fact: Vodka was originally called “little water” in Russian. That’s not cute—that’s literal. The stuff is basically drinkable, alcoholic water.
Gin: The Sassy Spice Rack
Gin starts as vodka—yes, really. Then distillers add botanicals like juniper berries, coriander, and citrus peel. Juniper is the star, giving gin that piney, Christmas-tree taste.
Those botanicals aren’t just for flavor. Many of them have anti-inflammatory properties. Juniper has been used for centuries to treat everything from bloating to joint pain.
But don’t get too excited. You’d need to drink a bathtub of gin to get any real health benefit. Your liver will not thank you.
