Gin vs Vodka: Which Drink Is Healthier and Which Packs More Alcohol?

When it comes to clear spirits, gin and vodka often sit side by side on the bar shelf — but how different are they really? While both are popular distilled drinks, they vary in flavour, production, calories, and even how they affect your body.

What’s the Difference Between Gin and Vodka?

At first glance, gin and vodka look nearly identical: both are clear, distilled spirits that serve as bases for many cocktails. The main difference is flavour. Vodka is crafted to be neutral — almost tasteless and aroma-less — allowing mixers to take centre stage. Gin, by contrast, is infused with botanicals, most notably juniper berries, giving it a distinctive herbal or citrusy profile.

Alcohol Content: Gin vs Vodka

In terms of strength, both spirits are similar. Most gins fall between 37.5% and 47% alcohol by volume (ABV), with some “navy strength” varieties going above that. Vodka typically ranges from 37% to around 50% ABV, with 40% being most common. If a gin and vodka are both bottled at 40% ABV, a standard shot of each delivers the same amount of pure ethanol to your bloodstream.

So neither gin nor vodka is inherently stronger — it really depends on the specific bottle you choose.

Calories and “Healthiness”

When it comes to calories and nutritional content, gin and vodka are also much alike. A standard 30–45 ml (1–1.5 oz) shot of either spirit has around 90–100 calories and contains no fat, protein, carbs, or sugar on its own.

Some people assume gin is “healthier” because of its botanical flavour, but the distillation process removes nearly all of those plant nutrients. In pure form, both spirits are essentially ethanol and water; any potential benefits from botanicals don’t survive distillation in meaningful amounts.

How Gin and Vodka Affect Your Body

Alcohol’s effects come primarily from ethanol, the active ingredient in both spirits. Once consumed, ethanol is absorbed into your bloodstream and affects nearly every organ in your body:

• Immediate effects: Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant. Even moderate amounts can cause relaxation, lowered inhibitions, slower reaction time, impaired balance, and mood changes.
• Intoxication: As blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises, coordination, judgment, and sensory processing decline. Excessive intake can lead to severe impairment, unconsciousness, or alcohol poisoning.
• Metabolism and dehydration: The liver metabolizes ethanol into acetaldehyde — a toxic compound that can damage cells and contribute to inflammation. Alcohol also inhibits antidiuretic hormone, leading to dehydration and hangover symptoms.
• Long-term effects: Frequent heavy drinking is linked to liver disease, cardiovascular issues, disrupted sleep, weight gain, and increased risk of cancer.

The way your body handles gin or vodka doesn’t differ much — the key factor is how much ethanol you consume. A standard drink contains about 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol, whether it comes from gin, vodka, whiskey, or another spirit.

Mixers Matter

It’s also important to consider what you mix with your spirit. Gin with sugary tonic, fruit juices, or cola can add significant calories and sugar, making the overall drink far less “healthy” than a neat shot or a vodka soda with lime.

So Which Is Healthier?

In practical terms:

• Neither gin nor vodka is healthier by default — both are similar in calories and alcohol content when consumed straight.
• Moderation makes the biggest difference. Drinking within recommended limits — up to one drink per day for women and up to two for men — keeps health risks lower than heavy or binge drinking.
• Choose lighter mixers and drink water alongside alcohol to reduce negative effects.

Bottom Line

Gin and vodka are both clear spirits with comparable alcohol strength and calorie counts. Gin offers flavour from botanicals, while vodka stays neutral — but neither carries meaningful health benefits on its own. What matters most is how much you drink, how often, and what you mix with it. Drinking responsibly and being mindful of the broader health impacts of alcohol is far more important than picking one over the other.

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