Vodka vs Tequila
Both are among the cleaner mainstream spirits. Vodka wins on pure chemistry. Multiple distillations and aggressive filtration leave nearly nothing but ethanol. 100% agave tequila is close, with the advantage of more flavor and no need for sugary mixers to be palatable.
Vodka
Closest to neutral alcohol you can drink
- Congeners
- Very Low
- Histamines
- Very Low
- Polyphenols
- Very Low
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- Very Low
- Sugar
- Very Low
- Additives
- Low
Tequila
Agave, regulated, sometimes adulterated
- Congeners
- Low
- Histamines
- Low
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- Low
- Sugar
- Low
- Additives
- Moderate
On a pure chemistry-load basis, vodka edges out tequila. In practice (accounting for how people actually drink them) 100% agave tequila neat or on the rocks beats vodka cut with sugary mixers.
Which one for which situation
FAQ
Is tequila healthier than vodka? ▾
On chemistry alone, no, vodka is cleaner. But tequila is close enough that lifestyle factors (mixers, serving size) matter more. 100% agave tequila neat is in the same low-load tier as vodka.
Which has fewer calories, vodka or tequila? ▾
Effectively identical. Both run about 96 calories per 1.5oz at 40% ABV. Calorie differences between spirits at the same ABV are negligible.
Does tequila have less of a hangover than vodka? ▾
Vodka generally produces the mildest hangover of any common spirit. Blanco tequila is close. Cheap mixto tequila with additives is noticeably worse than vodka.