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Tito’s Handmade Vodka has a straightforward alcohol content that’s worth understanding clearly, both as a consumer and as someone who works with spirits in cocktail contexts. The short answer is simple, but the context around 80 proof vodka and what it means for how you use Tito’s is worth covering thoroughly.
Tito’s Vodka alcohol percentage: the direct answer
Tito’s Handmade Vodka is 40% ABV (alcohol by volume), or 80 proof in the US proof system. This is the standard vodka strength, US regulations require vodka labeled as such to be at minimum 40% ABV (80 proof), and virtually all mainstream vodkas are produced at exactly this strength. 80 proof = 40% ABV: in the US proof system, proof is exactly double the ABV percentage. Tito’s does not make a higher-proof or lower-proof variant, the entire product line is the single 40% ABV expression in various bottle sizes (375ml, 750ml, 1L, 1.75L). Tito’s is produced in Austin, Texas by Fifth Generation Inc. It is distilled from corn (making it naturally gluten-free as a distilled spirit) using pot stills rather than the column distillation most large-scale vodka producers use. The corn base and pot still process contribute to what Tito’s describes as a slightly sweeter, rounder character compared to grain-neutral spirits from column distillation, though at 40% ABV, all vodkas are significantly dominated by ethanol character.
What 80 proof means in practice
A standard drink in the US is defined as 14 grams of pure alcohol, which corresponds to 1.5 oz of 80 proof (40% ABV) spirits. So a standard 1.5 oz pour of Tito’s is one standard drink. A 750ml bottle of Tito’s contains approximately 17 standard drinks at 1.5 oz per pour. A 1.75L handle contains approximately 39 standard drinks. For calorie counting: pure ethanol contains 7 calories per gram. A 1.5 oz serving of Tito’s at 40% ABV contains approximately 14g of alcohol, contributing 98 calories from alcohol alone. Tito’s contains no carbohydrates, sugar, or fat, the calorie count is purely from ethanol. Total: approximately 98 calories per 1.5 oz serving. This is the standard calorie count for any 80 proof vodka; Tito’s has no caloric advantage or disadvantage versus Grey Goose, Absolut, Ketel One, or other 40% ABV vodkas. The difference only appears when you add mixers, Tito’s with soda water is ~98 calories; Tito’s with juice or tonic adds the mixer calories on top.
Common Questions
Is Tito’s stronger than other vodkas?
No, Tito’s is the same strength as virtually every mainstream vodka at 40% ABV (80 proof). Grey Goose, Absolut, Ketel One, Smirnoff, Skyy, Belvedere, and most other standard vodkas are all 40% ABV. Tito’s is not stronger, weaker, or different in alcohol content from these competitors. There are higher-proof vodkas, Absolut 100 is 50% ABV (100 proof), Everclear is available at 60% (120 proof) and 75.5% (151 proof), and many eastern European vodkas are produced at 43% ABV (86 proof), but Tito’s standard product is 40% ABV without exception. If you’re comparing the drinking effect of Tito’s versus another vodka at 80 proof, alcohol content is identical, any perceived difference in how Tito’s “hits” is subjective, influenced by your drinking pace, food intake, body weight, and tolerance, not a difference in ABV. For gluten-free concerns: Tito’s corn-based distillation is certified gluten-free, which is not a universal claim for all vodkas. Wheat-based vodkas are technically gluten-free after distillation (distillation removes gluten proteins), but Tito’s corn base addresses concerns for celiac consumers who prefer to avoid wheat-source distillates entirely.
