Vodka has long been marketed as a “clean” alcohol with fewer toxins and purer effects compared to other spirits. But is this reputation deserved, or is it mostly hype? Let’s take a closer look at what makes vodka vodka, and whether it truly is a “cleaner” option.
What is vodka made from?
Vodka is distilled from fermented grains or vegetables. The most common base ingredients are:
- Potatoes – Especially popular in Eastern Europe
- Wheat – Used frequently in the USA and Western Europe
- Rye – Often used in Polish and Russian vodkas
- Corn – A popular base in North America
Other base ingredients can include grapes, sugar beets, soybeans, rice, fruits like apples or pears, and sometimes even milk. But the vast majority of vodka is made from the grains or vegetables listed above.
The ingredient that goes into vodka will impact its flavor profile, but not necessarily its “cleanliness.” The clean taste of vodka has more to do with the distillation and filtration process.
How is vodka distilled?
Vodka is distilled to a very high proof, meaning a very high alcohol percentage. This is done through a process of heating, evaporating, condensing, and re-distilling the vodka’s base ingredient multiple times.
The distillation removes most of the natural flavors and aromas from the raw ingredient, leaving behind a more neutral spirit. Vodka can be distilled over and over, sometimes 10 times or more, to achieve an extremely clean, smooth taste.
Most vodka is distilled to between 95-96% alcohol before being diluted with water to around 40% ABV (80 proof) for bottling. A higher level of distillation removes more impurities and congeners (byproducts of fermentation).
How is vodka filtered?
In addition to distilling, most vodka producers put the spirit through extensive filtration to further remove impurities and toxins. Common filtration methods include:
- Charcoal filtration – The vodka is filtered through activated charcoal, which absorbs organic compounds and toxins.
- Brittany frustration – Running the distilled spirit through micro-filters made of quartz sand and metal meshes.
- Ozonation – Bubbling ozone through the vodka to oxidize and remove unwanted compounds.
Multiple types of filtration may be combined to produce an exceptionally clean, smooth vodka. However, higher levels of filtration can also strip away flavor and character, so distillers aim for balance.
How does vodka compare to other spirits?
Compared to darker spirits like whiskey, rum, tequila and cognac, vodka tends to have lower levels of congeners. Congeners are toxic chemical byproducts of fermentation that can contribute to hangovers and other unpleasant effects.
Here’s how the congener levels of vodka stack up against other major spirits:
| Spirit | Typical Congener Level (mg/100 ml) |
|---|---|
| Vodka | 0-10 |
| Gin | 0-10 |
| Rum | 200-300 |
| Whiskey | 300-500 |
| Tequila | 300-900 |
| Cognac | 300-1300 |
As you can see, vodka and gin have the lowest levels of congeners among popular spirits by a significant margin. This lends some validity to vodka’s reputation for being one of the “cleaner” options.
Is vodka gluten-free?
Many people adhere to a gluten-free diet for health reasons like celiac disease or gluten intolerance. For them, the source of the grains used to make vodka is very important.
Vodka made from potatoes, corn, grapes, rice, or sugar beets is naturally gluten-free. However, vodka made from wheat or rye does contain gluten. Some brands will specifically label their vodka as “gluten-free” if it avoids grain sources containing gluten.
So gluten-sensitive individuals can enjoy vodka, but need to choose products made from gluten-free bases. When in doubt, double check the brand’s website or contact them directly to find out their gluten status.
Is vodka keto-friendly?
The ketogenic diet emphasizes low carb intake, higher fats, and moderate protein. Hard liquors like vodka can fit into a keto diet since they contain zero carbs.
However, alcohol pauses ketosis while your body is metabolizing it, so vodka (and other spirits) should be enjoyed in moderation. Vodka is keto-friendly, but high intake will temporarily take you out of ketosis.
Does vodka have antioxidants?
Some research suggests that distilled spirits like vodka contain measurable levels of antioxidants. These antioxidants may derive from the plants used as the vodka’s raw ingredient.
For example, vodkas made from rye and wheat may contain phenolic antioxidants from those grains. In one study, rye vodka had over 10 times more antioxidants than wheat vodka.[1]
That said, the antioxidant content of vodka is still extremely low compared to healthier beverages like tea, coffee, or red wine. So any antioxidant benefit is likely marginal. Don’t count on your vodka martinis to provide significant antioxidant intake.
Is vodka processed differently than other hard liquors?
Vodka goes through a similar distillation process as other spirits like tequila, rum, gin, and whiskey. The key difference is that vodka is distilled to a higher proof.
While most whiskeys are distilled to around 70% ABV, vodka can be distilled to 95% ABV or higher. The additional distillation further removes impurities and toxins.
Vodka also undergoes more extensive filtration using methods like charcoal filtration and ozonation. Light spirits like vodka and gin focus more on being clean and neutral, while whiskeys and rums try to retain more flavor.
So vodka’s expanded distillation and filtration is what sets it apart production-wise. The end goal is maximum smoothness and drinkability.
Does vodka have any nutrients?
Pure distilled vodka contains minimal nutrients – mostly just ethanol (alcohol) and water. A 1.5 oz shot of vodka contains around 100 calories, all from the alcohol itself.
Some lower-quality cheap vodkas may have trace amounts of elements like iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, or silicon left over. But in general, there are no meaningful nutrients in vodka.
Any flavored vodkas or infused vodkas may contain sugars, herbs, or fruit extracts that add some nutrients. But the vodka itself is nutritionally empty calories.
Is vodka healthier than beer or wine?
Despite its reputation for purity, vodka should not be considered a healthy or low-calorie beverage. A shot of vodka still packs around 100 calories and causes intoxication like any other hard liquor.
Some research suggests spirits like vodka are linked to worse long-term health outcomes than beer or wine, in part because they’re easier to overconsume in excess.[2]
Compared to beer and wine specifically, vodka may be advantaged by:
- Having fewer calories per serving than the ~150 calories in 5 oz wine or 12 oz beer
- Containing lower amounts of congeners and toxins
- Being gluten-free and low carb
However, any type of alcohol should be consumed moderately as part of an overall healthy diet. Vodka has some advantages over beer and wine, but is still not objectively a “healthy” beverage.
Does vodka cause worse hangovers?
This is a common belief, but not necessarily true. All alcoholic beverages can cause hangovers after excessive consumption due to dehydration and metabolic byproducts like acetaldehyde.
However, the lower congener content of vodka may actually make hangovers less severe on average. More congeners = more potential to aggravate a hangover.
One study directly compared vodka and bourbon for hangovers and found significantly worse hangover severity in the bourbon group, likely due to its higher congener levels.[3]
So while vodka benders can certainly cause brutal hangovers, vodka may on average cause less severe after-effects than darker spirits like whiskey or rum. But this also depends on individual tolerance.
Is vodka safer than other types of alcohol?
No alcohol is truly safe – vodka included. Excessive drinking comes with short and long-term health risks, including:
- Liver damage
- Addiction
- Neurological damage
- Cancers
- Heart disease
These risks apply equally to all alcoholic beverages. But some studies suggest spirits like vodka may carry slightly higher long-term health risks compared to beer and wine, likely due to their higher alcohol content and abuse potential.[4]
So vodka does not appear to be safer than other alcohol types overall. Moderation and smart drinking habits are key no matter your beverage of choice.
Does vodka contain toxins or impurities?
Vodka is purified extensively through distillation and filtration to remove impurities and toxins. But no spirit can be made 100% pure. Traces may remain, especially in cheaper vodkas.
Potential impurities or toxins in vodka could include:
- Acetaldehyde – A toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism, linked to hangovers and cancers
- Methanol – Highly toxic even in small amounts, may cause vision damage
- Fusel oils – Pungent oily compounds that can irritate the digestive tract
- Ethyl carbamate – A carcinogenic byproduct found in some spirits
Reputable vodka brands monitor for and tightly control levels of potential toxins through careful distillation and filtration. Impurity standards also exist in most countries. So toxin risk is low, but not zero.
Does freezing or filtering vodka at home make it more pure?
A popular myth is that sticking vodka in the freezer will make it less harsh by removing impurities. The reality is that extreme cold does not remove any meaningful toxins. It just makes the vodka thicker and more viscous.
Home filtering with activated charcoal or commercial water filters also does not purify or remove toxins in any significant way. Vodka is already extensively filtered at the distillery. DIY methods don’t accomplish much.
The best way to obtain smooth, clean vodka is simply to buy a quality brand that distills and filters properly. Additives or freezer time don’t enhance purity in any meaningful way. Enjoy vodka chilled or mixed, not frozen.
Is expensive vodka better than cheap vodka?
Higher priced “premium” vodkas do often use better base ingredients and extensive filtration methods to remove more potential impurities and toxins. However, in blind taste tests most drinkers cannot tell the difference between cheap vodka and expensive vodka.[5]
At a certain point, diminishing returns apply. More expensive vodka is not necessarily proportionally “better” or purer than moderately priced mid-range options. Price is not always the best indicator of quality and cleanliness.
Instead of relying on price, it’s better to ask brands about their distillation process and filtration methods. An inexpensive vodka may be just as pure as a luxury brand, depending on how it is produced.
Conclusion
Vodka does generally have lower levels of toxic fermentation byproducts called congeners compared to darker spirits like whiskey and rum, lending some credibility to its “clean” reputation. Multiple distillations and filtration methods also help remove impurities relative to less processed beverages like beer or wine.
However, vodka still contains traces of toxic compounds like acetaldehyde and methanol, and excessive consumption carries health risks like any other alcohol. It is not a healthy or low-calorie beverage and should be enjoyed in moderation. While vodka is cleaner than some other spirits, no alcohol is 100% pure.