Is a Gin and Tonic a Low Carb Drink? The Surprising Truth

November 12, 2025 •

4 min read

A standard gin and tonic with regular tonic water can contain over 30 grams of sugar, making it far from low-carb. So, is gin and tonic a low carb drink? The answer is more complex than you might think and hinges on one key ingredient.

Quick Summary

Standard gin and tonics are high in carbs due to sugary regular tonic water. By swapping to a diet or sugar-free tonic, or using a club soda mixer, it becomes a zero-carb drink.

Key Points

Not all G&Ts are low-carb: A standard gin and tonic made with regular tonic water is high in carbs due to the sugar content.
Pure gin is zero-carb: Unflavored, distilled gin contains no carbohydrates or sugar, making it a great low-carb base.
The mixer is the key: The carb count of your cocktail depends entirely on your choice of tonic water.
Opt for diet or slimline tonic: By swapping regular tonic for its diet or sugar-free version, you create a zero-carb gin and tonic.
Club soda is a great alternative: For a crisp, zero-carb cocktail, use club soda or seltzer water with a squeeze of citrus instead of tonic.
Flavored gins may contain sugar: Always check the label on flavored gins and liqueurs, as they can have added sugars and carbs.
Moderation is essential: Even low-carb alcohol can slow down fat burning, so it should be consumed sparingly, especially on a keto diet.

Understanding the Carb Content of Gin

Pure distilled spirits like gin, vodka, whiskey, and tequila are, by definition, zero-carb. The distillation process strips away the sugars and carbohydrates from the base ingredients, leaving behind a pure form of alcohol. A standard 1.5 oz (44ml) serving of unflavored gin contains approximately 97 calories but zero carbohydrates and zero sugar.

However, it is crucial to pay attention to the specific type of gin you are using. Flavored gins and sweetened gin liqueurs are a different story. Many flavored varieties have added sugars to enhance their taste. For instance, a rhubarb or strawberry flavored gin could contain 1-2 grams of carbohydrates per serving, while a liqueur could contain significantly more. Always read the label to be sure, or stick to a classic, unflavored gin to guarantee a zero-carb base.

The High-Carb Culprit: Tonic Water

What transforms a zero-carb spirit into a high-carb cocktail is the mixer. Regular tonic water is the chief source of carbohydrates in a standard gin and tonic. It is essentially carbonated water, quinine, and a significant amount of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. According to nutritional data, a single 12-ounce can of standard tonic water contains around 30-33 grams of carbohydrates, almost all of which are sugar. This one ingredient is enough to derail a low-carb diet or significantly impact your daily carbohydrate allowance.

The Low-Carb Solution: Diet Tonic and Other Alternatives

The key to enjoying a gin and tonic on a low-carb diet is to be selective with your mixer. Fortunately, there are several excellent low-carb and zero-carb alternatives available:

Diet Tonic Water: This is the most direct substitute for regular tonic. Many major brands offer a diet or 'slimline' version that is sweetened with artificial or natural zero-calorie sweeteners. Diet tonic waters contain zero carbohydrates and zero sugar, allowing you to enjoy the classic G&T taste without the carb load.
Club Soda or Seltzer Water: If you're looking for a simple, zero-carb mixer, club soda or unflavored sparkling water is a perfect choice. It provides the effervescence of tonic water without any of the sugar. You can add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to mimic the citrus notes often found in a G&T.
Flavor-Infused Sparkling Water: Several brands now offer a variety of zero-calorie flavored sparkling waters. Using a lime, cucumber, or even an elderflower-flavored version can provide an extra dimension of taste to your zero-carb gin cocktail.

Comparison of Gin and Tonic Carb Content


Drink Variation	Gin (1.5 oz)	Mixer (5 oz)	Garnish	Approx. Total Carbs	Notes
Standard Gin and Tonic	0g	Regular Tonic (approx. 14g)	Lime	~14-16g	Not low-carb, high in sugar.
Low-Carb Gin and Tonic	0g	Diet/Slimline Tonic (0g)	Lime	~0-1g	Excellent low-carb option.
Gin and Soda	0g	Club Soda (0g)	Lime	~0g	Crisp and zero-carb.
Flavored Gin & Tonic	Flavored Gin (1-2g)	Diet Tonic (0g)	Fruit	~1-3g	Check the label of the flavored gin.

How Alcohol Impacts a Low-Carb Lifestyle

While a low-carb gin and tonic may contain zero net carbohydrates, it is important to remember that alcohol itself can affect your low-carb or ketogenic diet in other ways. When you consume alcohol, your body prioritizes metabolizing it over fat burning. This temporary interruption can slow down weight loss or the state of ketosis. For this reason, even zero-carb alcoholic drinks should be consumed in moderation.

How to Make a Low-Carb Gin and Tonic

Creating a delicious and keto-friendly gin and tonic is incredibly simple. All it requires is a smart substitution for the mixer.

Fill a tall glass with ice. Use plenty of ice to keep the drink cold and minimize dilution.
Pour in 1.5 to 2 ounces of your favorite unflavored gin. Higher quality gin often tastes better with fewer ingredients.
Top with 4-6 ounces of diet or slimline tonic water, or club soda for a completely sugar-free option.
Garnish with a fresh lime wheel or a sprig of fresh mint or basil for extra flavor without the carbs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether a gin and tonic is a low-carb drink depends entirely on the mixer you choose. While a traditional G&T with regular tonic water is high in sugar and carbs, a simple switch to diet or slimline tonic, or club soda, makes it a perfectly acceptable low-carb option. Pure gin itself is zero-carb, so as long as you use an unflavored variety and a zero-carb mixer, you can enjoy this classic cocktail without compromising your dietary goals. Just remember to drink in moderation, as alcohol can still impact your metabolism. So, when you reach for a G&T, let the mixer be your guide to a guilt-free sip.

A Word of Caution on Ketosis and Alcohol

For those on a ketogenic diet, even a zero-carb gin and tonic must be consumed cautiously. Alcohol is a toxin, and when consumed, your body will focus on processing it before it continues burning fat for fuel. This means that while the drink won't add carbs to your daily total, it can temporarily put the brakes on your progress towards ketosis and weight loss. Always enjoy in moderation and be aware of your body's response.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, pure distilled gin, like vodka or tequila, contains zero carbohydrates. The carbs are typically introduced by sugary mixers or flavorings.

Regular tonic water is surprisingly high in carbs. A 12-ounce can can contain 30-33 grams of carbs, almost all of which come from sugar.

Excellent low-carb alternatives include diet or slimline tonic water, club soda, or unflavored sparkling water. These options provide the fizz without the sugar.

Yes, but you must use a zero-carb mixer. Pair pure gin with diet tonic water, club soda, or a sugar-free flavored seltzer to stay within your carbohydrate limits.

No. While pure distilled gin is carb-free, flavored gins and liqueurs often have added sugars and should be avoided on a strict low-carb diet.

Yes, consuming alcohol, even zero-carb types, can temporarily stall ketosis. The body prioritizes processing the alcohol over burning fat for fuel.

Other low-carb alcohol options include hard liquors (vodka, tequila), dry wines, some hard seltzers, and light beers. The key is to avoid sugary mixers and sweet beverages.

Gin is often mixed with soda or dry tonic, which tends to be lighter than the syrupy mixers used with other spirits. This makes it easier to digest and less likely to cause bloating or sugar crashes for some people.