Short answer: The lightest vodka drinks skip heavy juices and syrups in favor of soda water, ginger beer, or a splash of tea. Ancient Sun Vodka works well here since it is clean and additive-free, so it does not need much dressing up. Below are four lighter pours, all house recipes, with rough calorie counts.
Key Takeaways
- Soda water is the lightest mixer, adding almost no calories to the pour.
- Ancient Sun Vodka is naturally non-GMO, gluten free, and made with no additives.
- A standard 1.5 oz pour of 80 proof vodka runs about 97 calories on its own.
- The recipes below are official SKD combinations, not invented for this post.
Why Ancient Sun Vodka Works for Lighter Drinks
Ancient Sun Vodka is multi-distilled and put through a proprietary oxidative filtration process, which gives it a clean, smooth finish. It is naturally non-GMO, gluten free, and made with no additives, and every batch is taste tested. That cleanness means it disappears into a light mixer instead of needing something heavy to cover it up.
Vodka itself is one of the lower calorie spirits by volume. A standard 1.5 oz pour of 80 proof vodka runs about 97 calories on its own, based on standard nutrition estimates for distilled spirits. The calories in a vodka drink usually come from the mixer, not the vodka, so the mixer is where you have the most control.
1. Sun and Soda
The lightest pour on this list. Just vodka, soda water, and a citrus garnish.
- 2 oz Ancient Sun Vodka
- Soda water, to fill
- Garnish with lemon or lime
Fill a glass with ice. Add the vodka, then top with soda water and stir. Garnish with lemon or lime.
Rough calorie count: About 130 calories, almost entirely from the vodka.
2. Ancient Mule
A lighter twist on a Moscow Mule. Ginger beer adds more calories than soda water, but still keeps this one on the lighter side.
- 1.5 oz Ancient Sun Vodka
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- Ginger beer, to fill
- Garnish with lime
Fill a copper mug or glass with ice. Add the vodka and lime juice, then top with ginger beer.
Rough calorie count: Around 200 to 230 calories, depending on how much ginger beer you use.
3. Doc's Home Remedy
A savory option for anyone who wants something other than juice or soda. Bloody Mary mix runs lower in sugar than most fruit juices.
- 2 oz Ancient Sun Vodka
- Bloody Mary mix, to fill
- Optional: a drop of hot sauce
- Garnish with an olive skewer
Shake the vodka and Bloody Mary mix with ice, then strain over fresh ice. Garnish with an olive skewer.
Rough calorie count: Around 160 to 180 calories, depending on the mix.
4. Ancient Palmer
A vodka take on the classic Arnold Palmer, half lemonade and half tea. Using unsweetened tea keeps this one lighter.
- 1.5 oz Ancient Sun Vodka
- Half lemonade, half tea, to fill
- Garnish with lemon
Fill a glass with ice. Add the vodka, then top with equal parts lemonade and tea. Stir and garnish with lemon.
Rough calorie count: Around 150 to 180 calories, lower if you use unsweetened tea.
Quick Comparison
| Drink | Mixer | Rough Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Sun and Soda | Soda water | ~130 |
| Ancient Mule | Ginger beer | ~200-230 |
| Doc's Home Remedy | Bloody Mary mix | ~160-180 |
| Ancient Palmer | Lemonade and tea | ~150-180 |
These are rough estimates based on standard nutrition data for spirits and common mixers. Exact counts will vary by brand of mixer used.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lowest calorie vodka drink?
Vodka and soda water, like our Sun and Soda, is about as light as it gets. Soda water adds almost no calories, so the drink stays close to the calorie count of the vodka alone.
Is vodka lower calorie than other spirits?
Vodka runs similar to most clear, unflavored spirits by proof. A 1.5 oz pour of 80 proof vodka is about 97 calories, whether it is vodka, gin, or white rum at the same proof.
Are these official SKD recipes?
Yes. Sun and Soda, Ancient Mule, Doc's Home Remedy, and Ancient Palmer all come from our in-house SKD Cocktails and Shots recipe book.
What makes Ancient Sun Vodka a good choice for lighter drinks?
It is multi-distilled and filtered for a clean, smooth taste, with no additives and no gluten, so it does not need a heavy mixer to taste good.
Shop Ancient Sun Vodka
Pick up a bottle of Ancient Sun Vodka from our shop and try one of these lighter pours for yourself. Looking for more mixing ideas? Check out our full what to mix with vodka guide.