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Shockingly, there are plenty of keto alcohol options to enjoy while sticking to a low carb meal plan!
Because reality is, the majority of us enjoy a drink from time to time, and being on a low carb eating plan or following a low carb way of life, doesn’t mean you have to kiss you social life goodbye. So no matter what your poison is, this guide to keto alcohol has got you covered! From the carbs in beer, to the carbs in wine, to the carbs in mixed drinks, here’s everything you need to know about keto alcohol, so you can choose your drinks wisely and stay on low carb track!
And for those of you who aren’t a fan of vodka soda or whiskey on the rocks, I’ve got an awesome collection of keto alcoholic drinks to share with you…
Let’s dive in! Use this table of contents to find the section you’re looking for:
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Keto Alcohol Options
Here’s a quick glance at the carbs in alcohol — Keep in mind, these can be worked up into all sorts of lip smackingly delicious low carb cocktails! But we’ll start with the basics…
The top keto alcohol options are:
- Liquor, such as Tequila, Gin, Vodka, Whiskey. On the rocks, neat, with a diet soda or seltzer: 0 grams of carbs per shot.
- Red Wine, such as Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah all have under 4 carbs per 5 oz glass.
- White Wine, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc have right around 3 carbs per 5 oz.
- Champagne. A 5 oz glass contains only 2 carbs.
- Beer, such as Bud Select 55: 1.80 carbs, Michelob Ultra: 2.60 carbs, Miller Lite: 3.20 carbs.
Now let’s dive in further, because as you can imagine, there’s a lot more to the carbs in alcohol than just these basic drinks…
Keto Wine
Believe it or not, wine is relatively low carb in nature, and personally, I couldn’t be happier about it! Most red wines fall between 3 and 4 carbs per glass—which is pretty minimal, especially if you’re treating yourself.
The problem with carbs here isn’t so much standard red or white low carb wine, rather the ultra sweet varieties, like port. So stick with the options below for the best low carb alcohol choices…
For a 5 oz serving, the best low carb red wines are:
- Merlot: 122 calories, 3.69 carbs
- Pinot Noir: 121 calories, 3.40 carbs
- Cabernet Sauvignon: 122 calories, 3.83 carbs
- Syrah: 122 calories, 3.79 carbs
- Zinfandel: 129 calories, 4.20 carbs
For the same 5 oz serving, the best low carb white wines are:
- Chardonnay: 123 calories, 3.18 carbs
- Pinot Gris: 122 calories, 3.03 carbs
- Sauvignon Blanc: 119 calories, 3.01 carbs
Champagne is also another great low carb alcohol choice — A 5 oz glass has got about 100 calories and 2 carbs.
Wines that are higher in carbs include:
- Burgundy: 127 calories, 5.46 carbs
- Riesling: 118 calories, 5.54 carbs
- Dessert Wines. A few types of dessert wines are Sherry and Muscat… typical serving size for these is 3.5 oz, which will run you are 165 calories, 14.10 carbs
- Fortified Wines. Fortified wines have a distilled spirit (like brandy) added to them. They tend to be much sweeter—a few varieties are Port, Sherry, Marsala and Vermouth.
Keto Beer
Most of us would assume that the phrase “low carb beer” sounds like a total oxymoron, especially considering it’s made from water, grains, hops and yeast — basically liquid bread!
But fear not my friends, if beer is the low carb alcohol you’re craving, there are some choices that’ll give you that coveted beer fix. Fair warning, if you’re a heavy-duty beer drinker, you may find the lowest carb beer choices less than impressive.
Your best keto beer choices are going to be:
- Bud Select 55: 55 calories, 1.80 carbs
- Michelob Ultra: 95 calories, 2.60 carbs
- Bud Select: 99 calories, 3.09 carbs
- Miller Lite: 96 calories, 3.20 carbs
- Busch Light: 95 calories, 3.20 carbs
- Becks: 64 calories, 3.20 carbs
- Bud Light Platinum: 137 calories, 4.40 carbs
- Bud Light: 103 calories, 4.60 carbs
- Keystone Light: 101 calories, 4.70 carbs
- Coors Light: 102 calories, 5 carbs
- Corona Light: 99 calories, 5 carbs
Your highest carb beer choices include:
- Porter (Fuller’s London Porter, 12oz): 181 calories, 20.59 carbs
- IPL (Colorado Native Double IPL): 245 calories, 18.40 carbs
- Pale Ale (Sierra Nevada): 176 calories, 14.16 carbs
- Belgian Ale(Blue Moon): 168 calories, 14.10 carbs
- Pabst Blue Ribbon: 144 calories, 12.80 carbs
- Miller High Life: 141 calories, 12.20 carbs
- Miller Genuine Draft: 140 calories, 12.20 carbs
- Stella Artois: 141 calories, 10.90 carbs
- Budweiser: 146 calories, 10.60 carbs
Another beer-esk drink to watch out for is cider—with 199 calories per serving, and 21.02 carbs, it’s no wonder why this drink tastes so sweet!
As you can see, beers range in carb counts pretty dramatically, and unfortunately for us watching our carbs, nutritional data isn’t printed on the back of every can. When in doubt, stick to the low carb beers listed above.
Keto Liquor
Liquor lovers, rejoice! Straight liquor typically has no carbs, or a nominal amount. Order low carb alcohol neat or on the rocks and you’ll find it relatively easy to stick to your guns.
As far as low carb liquor goes, you’ve got zero carbs in:
- Tequila: 96 calories, no carbs
- Gin: 110 calories, no carbs
- Rum: 110 calories, no carbs
- Vodka: 110 calories, no carbs
- Whiskey: 110 calories, no carbs
The reason you have no carbs in gin, no carbs in tequila, and no carbs in rum is due the fermentation process, which essentially converts carbohydrates into ethyl alcohol via yeast enzymes.
Low Carb Drinks to Avoid
Now, liqueurs are another story — Despite their similar names, these two low carb drinks are completely different products. Liqueurs are sweetened spirits infused with a range of flavors. Many start with a base of whiskey, rum, or brandy, then they’re sweetened with ingredients like sugar syrup.
Because there’s a wide range of flavors and additives present in liqueurs — think coffee-esque Kahlua, almond-y Amaretto, Bailey’s, and everything sweet and fruity — carb counts differ tremendously. But as a general reference:
- Kahlua (1.6 oz): 144 calories, 22 carbs
- Crème de Menthe (1.5 oz): 186 calories, 20.80 carbs
Now back to liquor. When it comes to carbs, it isn’t the liquor you’ve got to watch out for, rather the mixers… Juices, sodas, all manner of sugary cocktails are what you need to watch out for.
Keto Alcoholic Drinks Recipes
If you’re mixing things up yourself, you can afford to get a little more creative with your low carb alcoholic drinks! There are tons of ingredient that’ll help take boring low carb alcohol up a few notches, without sugar.
Here are my favorite low carb alcohol cocktails to shake up:
- Keto Margarita
- Low Carb Whiskey Sour
- Low Carb Cosmopolitan
- Low Carb Mulled Wine
- Keto Mojito
- Keto Old Fashioned
- Keto Eggnog
- Keto Strawberry Margarita
- Keto White Russian
- Keto Martini
Best Keto Drinks For Mixers
Here are some of the tastiest keto drinks, perfect for your very own keto alcoholic drink, or low carb non alcoholic drink recipes:
1. Diet sodas
Flavors: Most regular sodas can be found in a diet version.
2. Zevia
Flavors: Cola, Ginger, Root Beer, Cream Soda, Dr. Zevia, Orange, Grape, Etc.
3. Bai
Flavors: Tons! I love the Watermelon, Coconut, Strawberry Lemonade and Mango
4. Flavored Sparkling Waters
Flavors: Depends where you purchase from. Traditional flavors are lemon and lime—boring—I live for the Trader Joe’s flavors, they’re always coming up with new and delicious ones. Perrier makes and awesome pink grapefruit I love as well.
Tip: Since these don’t add sweetness to your drink, top off your cocktail with some keto fruits or stevia drops.
5. True Lime + True Lemon
Flavors: Currently addicted to their Mango Orange flavor. They’ve also got Watermelon, Limeade, Lemonade, Black Cherry Limeade, Raspberry Lemonade, Peach Lemonade, Wildberry Lemonade, Etc.
6. Crystal Light
Flavors: Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Orange, Fruit Punch, Etc.
7. Keto Chocolate Milk, or Keto Hot Chocolate!
Sweetener: Erythritol
In addition to low carb drinks, here are some tasty keto foods you may choose to incorporate in your cocktails:
- Bitters
- Spritz of Lemon, Orange or Lime. A hint of keto fruits.
- “Twist” of Lemon, Orange or Lime Peel
- Olives
- Herbs
- Muddled Berries. Keto fruits like berries add a nice sweetness without artificial sugars.
- Keto vegetables.
- Pickle juice. Since there are no carbs in scotch, pour a glass on the rocks with pickle juice to chase, yum!
- Sweet Leaf Sweet Drops
How to Order Keto Alcohol at a Bar
At a bar or restaurant, your keto alcohol choices are going to be limited. Your best option will likely be a highball mixed with seltzer or diet soda—think calorie and carb free mixers + your low carb alcohol of choice. Ask your bartender what they carry and what they’d suggest. You never know, they could have diet tonic hiding back there…
The top five low carb mixed drinks to order at a bar are:
- Vodka + soda + lime
- Tequila + soda + lime
- Whisky + Diet Coke
- Gin + Diet Tonic + Lime (some bars will have it, might as well ask!)
- Gin + Diet Sprite + Lime
Can You Drink Alcohol on a Keto Diet?
Drinking alcohol on a low carb diet is up to you, your goals and your health. If you choose to drink, stick to the low carb alcohol options shared above. There are a few additional concerns with drinking on a low carb meal plan…
Keto and Alcohol – What to Watch Out For…
No matter what type of alcohol you choose, it’s the other things you need to keep an eye on…
…and I’m not just talking about the mixers, I’m talking about the way alcohol effects our blood sugar, how our bodies react to alcohol when we don’t consume many carbs, and of course the drunken’ munchies — all of which can be a bigger challenge than the alcohol content itself.
The most important key here is moderation.
It’s the same message you’ve heard your whole life, but take this seriously — although I haven’t been able to find any definitive research, common sense and personal experience have lead me to believe that my body reacts differently to alcohol when I eat less carbs. The lower carb I eat, the lower my alcohol tolerance becomes. Be careful, be safe. You know what to do.
Then there’s your blood sugar.
As a diabetic, I’ve discussed consuming alcohol thoroughly with my doctor. Let’s just say the way I drink now has changed dramatically from the way I used to drink. Since this article isn’t about drinking with diabetes, I’m going to assume this isn’t relevant for most, so I’ll keep it brief. The fact is that: “moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level — sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels, especially for people with type 1 diabetes” — Web MD
I’m not a doctor, nor am I giving any sort of medical advice. It’s important to discuss with your doctor your personal needs and concerns.
Ugh, last but not least, the drunken munchies and its ugly cousin, the hangover munchies.
When we hit the bottle too hard, alcohol can mess with our blood sugar levels, therefore creating a feeling of hunger. Additionally, alcohol can cause dehydration (it’s a diuretic, which is why you’ll see an increase in trips to the bathroom), which sometimes our brains mistake for hunger signals.
Keto Alcohol
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 6 Fresh Mint
- 2 Teaspoons Swerve or Lakanto (see sweetener notes below) granular
- 1 1/2 Ounces White Rum
- 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice
- 1 Cup Crushed Ice
- 1 Ounce Club Soda
- Fresh Mint for garnish
Instructions
- Add fresh mint (6 leaves) to a cocktail shaker and lightly muddle, making sure not to over-muddle as this will give your cocktail a grassy taste.
- Add erythritol (2 teaspoons), white rum (1 1/2 Ounces), lime juice (2 tablespoons), and crushed ice (1 cup). Cover and shake.
- Strain mojito over ice in a highball glass.
- Top with club soda, garnish with mint leaves, and enjoy!
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Lindsey's Tips
Nutrition
Conclusion
Let’s be real, eating low carb can be hard at times, but it certainly doesn’t mean you need to kiss all of life’s great pleasures goodbye. Thoughtful research and planning are the first steps, so congratulations! Between the spirits, cocktails, beers and wines, if you’re adding keto alcohol to your low carb shopping list, there are plenty of options to choose from.
I’d love to hear from you! Do you have any keto alcohol hacks? Whether it’s an herbal seltzer water cocktail or a secret low carb beer you’ve just discovered, let me know in the comments below!
*Unless otherwise noted and linked, all nutritional data was pulled from the USDA Food Composition Database.
Vivian knight
What is a 5oz glass measure equal to in British mls?
Lindsey
Hi Vivian! Looks like 5oz is right around 148ml (according to this link: https://www.google.com/search?q=oz+to+ml&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS828US828&oq=oz+to+ml&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j6j69i60j0l3.2011j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) Thank you! 🙂
Kathy
Low Carb Margarita! Tequila and Fresca
Lindsey
Enjoy Kathy! ???
Panella
I drink wine spritzers when dieting or trying to stay sober at a cocktail bash. When people pressure me I switch to Soda water with a lime. While it is an acquired taste, it always works. Everyone believes I am drinking gin and tonic
Lindsey
Yay! Nice idea Panella 🙂 Thanks for sharing!:)
H. L. Wilson
Thank you for putting carb counts for the most popular acholic drinks. I have become familiar with the straight Spirts Carb Counts. ( Mixed with Dt. Sodas or on rocks )
But many low Carb options that you list was New to hear.
Like the Pickle Juice; Peel from Orange ;Lime and Lemon.
And Regular Champagne 5oz = 2 carbs ? I assume This does not include the Sweet pink versions.
• Few things I did not see in article that I seem to fall back on
* Bacardi SPICED RUM = 0 Carbs.
* Easiest 0 carb mixed drink= Vodka and Diet Sprite OR —> with Diet MT. DEW. {Absolute or Grey Goose seems best} AVOID the flavored Vodka.
Note : also this is less filling low carb beer.
** ALSO IF Plan to Go Out for Drinks, at an AppleB’s type Resturant then maybe a local bar. They seem to Only Offer Diet Cola. SO I buy 6 pack of 16oz plastic bottles Dt Soda I WANT to mix w/ their Vodka. I then put 2 -16 oz ( New never Opened), OR a 1 liter bottle in md. so GIFT BAG WITH my Last name on bag or TAG and hand it to BARTENDER and ask him to HOLD for me as I will order Absolute and Diet Sprite due to special Low Carb Diet. ( tell him That you understand $ will be same as if He added his Sugar Sprite.
•• I’ve NEVER had Bartender say No. Especially if it is a place you visit on regular bases. But if they do say “ Sorry I cant”, then just keep Gift Bag neat or put 1 16 oz bottle in Wife’s purse or coat pocket and simply order Absolut on the rocks in a Tall Glass and tell Waitress what your doing . Lol
Good Luck.
Lindsey
LOVE all these tips!! Thanks for sharing, and cheeeeers!
Catherine Voci
Corona Premier Beer is only 2.6 carbs and 90 calories per bottle and is actually really good. Yellow Tail wines are all low carb too.
Lindsey
Sounds Good! 🙂 Thanks for sharing Catherine! 🙂
Bronwyn B Bankston
I like a strawberry daquiri made with ice,, 1,5 ounces of rum, a few strawberries (maybe 3/4 cup, unsliced) and a few packets of Truvia. It’s so yummy and refreshing. I blend it all up in my cup blender.
Lindsey
Sounds soooo good Bronwyn! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Angela Kuchar
Hi! I looked at your list and was wondering about Scotch. Could you let me know? I would hope 0 carbs since Gin, Vodka and Whiskey have 0. Love your posts! Have a wonderful Holiday!!
Lindsey
Absolutely! there are no carbs in Scotch as well, Thanks Angela, Happy Holidays! 🙂
Tammy
I have been enjoying the Hard Seltzer’s. My go to is the White Claw – Black Cherry (spiked sparkling water with a hint of black cherry) it is 100 calories and 2g of carbs. The Corona seltzers are 90 calories and 0g of carbs.
Also, I like mixing my choice of vodka with Mineral water 0g of carbs with a slice of lemon and lime. A friend of mine likes it with an orange slice.
Lindsey
LOVE IT! Thanks for the tips Tammy! I have to check that out ?
judith walton
I absolutely love Malibu Rum straight{I’m thinking Coconut} I know its probably many calories and carbs however I hope its not…..is it?
Lindsey
Hi Judith! Looks like it has 140 calories and 13.4 carbs per serving. Hope that helps!
Rhonda
This is great information. Can I get a printable list please?
Lindsey Hyland
Thanks Rhonda! We no longer have a printable for this post, but you can download the printable for our low carb food list (you’ll see a link at the top of each page). Thanks for the kind words, so happy you found it useful!
David
Hi Lindsey, thank you for all the great information you put out there. My go to drink is a dirty martini which consists of gin, vermouth, olive brine, and green olives, very low carb drink.
Lindsey
Sounds great David! Thanks for sharing 😁
Laura Honour
I’ve learnt my lesson the hard way! While still trying to lose fat eating lowcarb, if I have a glass of wine I don’t stop there, so I beat myself up and eat anything in sight while “under the influence”, and then it’s worse the next day. So, for me, personally, I shall abstain until I am in my maintenance phase 😀
Lindsey Hyland
Hey Laura! Ahh, yes that can be hard! But at least you know what works best for you!
Arline Walker
You spoke a little about Type I. Would like to hear more about drink ideas on that point.
Thanks
Lindsey Hyland
Hi Arline! I would talk to your doctor about drink options for Type 1, I’m just a foodie who takes a lot of pics! I have Type 2 and worked closely with my doctor on what was healthiest for me. Best of luck!
Susan
Since I am pre-diabetic, it is of interest to me to know how to drink as a diabetic. As a lover of good craft beer, I am disappointed that I can’t enjoy it very often. But I’m also glad to know that the amount of wine I usually drink isn’t going to do me in carb-wise. Thanks for posting this.
Lindsey
You’re welcome, Susan! So glad it helped! 😄
mhast
I really enjoyed this guide to low carb alcohol! I’m a big fan of drinking alcohol, but I’m always on the lookout for ways to make it more low carb friendly. This guide was really helpful in finding drinks that are low carb
Lindsey
Yay! SO glad this helped you! 😊