What Alcohol Can I Order at a Bar on Keto?

November 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, pure distilled spirits like vodka, gin, and whiskey contain zero carbohydrates, making them a top choice for those on a ketogenic diet. Navigating a bar menu on keto requires a strategic approach to avoid hidden sugars and carbs that can quickly derail your efforts. Knowing what alcohol you can order at a bar on keto is key to maintaining your diet while enjoying a social outing.

Quick Summary

This article explores the best keto-friendly alcohol options available at a bar, including zero-carb spirits, dry wines, and low-carb mixers. It provides specific order examples and addresses common pitfalls like sugary mixers. Guidance is provided on how to enjoy drinks in moderation and avoid carb-heavy beverages like beer and most standard cocktails.

Key Points

Choose Pure Spirits: Opt for distilled liquors like vodka, gin, whiskey, and tequila, as they contain zero carbohydrates.
Use Zero-Carb Mixers: Pair spirits with soda water, diet tonic, or a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime instead of sugary sodas, juices, or regular tonic.
Stick to Dry Wines: Dry red wines (e.g., Merlot, Pinot Noir) and dry white wines (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio) are acceptable in moderation.
Avoid Sugary Drinks: Steer clear of all regular beer, sweet wines, dessert wines, and cocktails made with syrups, fruit juices, or liqueurs.
Be Aware of Lower Tolerance: Many people on a keto diet experience a lower alcohol tolerance, so it's wise to drink less and at a slower pace.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water alongside your alcoholic beverages, as alcohol can cause dehydration, especially on a ketogenic diet.

Your Keto-Friendly Bar Guide

Staying on a ketogenic diet doesn't mean you have to abstain completely from social gatherings or enjoying a drink at a bar. The key is to be aware of what's in your glass. While pure alcohol is processed differently by the body and can temporarily pause fat burning, choosing beverages with zero or very low carbohydrate content will keep you in ketosis. The real challenge lies in avoiding the sugary mixers and liqueurs that are common in many popular cocktails.

The Zero-Carb Champions: Distilled Spirits

The most reliable choice for a keto dieter is pure, unflavored distilled spirits. The distillation process removes the fermentable sugars, leaving behind a zero-carb liquid. When ordering, specify that you want no sugary additions. A straight pour, on the rocks, or with a sugar-free mixer is your safest bet.

Vodka: Versatile and flavor-neutral, vodka can be paired with plain soda water and a twist of lemon or lime for a simple, carb-free drink.
Whiskey, Bourbon, and Scotch: These are all distilled from grain mash, but the final product contains no carbs. Enjoy them neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water to release the flavor.
Gin: A botanical-infused spirit, gin works perfectly with diet tonic water or soda water and a lime wedge.
Tequila (100% agave): A straight-up shot of 100% agave tequila contains no carbs. For a mixed drink, request a "Ranch Water" with tequila, Topo Chico, and a lime squeeze.
Light Rum: Unflavored, light rums are also carb-free. Pair it with a diet cola and a wedge of lime.

Navigating Low-Carb Wine Options

For wine lovers, not all is lost, but moderation is critical. Dry wines have a much lower sugar content than sweeter varieties, making them more keto-friendly. Be aware that a higher alcohol content can sometimes indicate lower residual sugar, but it's best to stick to known dry options.

Dry White Wines: Good choices include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and dry Chardonnay, which typically contain around 3-4 grams of carbs per 5-ounce glass.
Dry Red Wines: Look for options like Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. These generally contain 3-5 grams of carbs per glass.
Brut Champagne or Dry Sparkling Wine: These are excellent festive options, often containing as little as 1-2 grams of carbs per serving.

Smart Mixed Drink Strategies

While most traditional cocktails are off-limits due to sugary mixers, you can order a modified, keto-friendly version. The key is to request zero-carb mixers and sugar-free syrups where possible.

Order Examples:

Vodka Soda: A classic for a reason. Simply vodka, club soda, and a squeeze of lime. Zero carbs.
Gin and Diet Tonic: Be sure to specify diet tonic, as regular tonic is loaded with sugar.
"Skinny" Margarita: Made with 100% agave tequila, fresh lime juice, and a keto-friendly sweetener instead of triple sec and sugary syrups.
Whiskey and Diet Coke: A simple, yet effective, carb-free mixed drink.

The Bar Beverages to Avoid

To ensure you stay in ketosis, it is crucial to avoid these carb-heavy culprits:

Regular Beer: Often called "liquid bread," regular beer is typically very high in carbs due to its grain content. Even many popular light beers contain more carbs than a pure spirit. Some ultra-light options are lower, but it's safest to avoid beer altogether.
Sweet Wines and Dessert Wines: Examples include Moscato, Riesling, Port, and Sherry. These are loaded with sugar and will quickly kick you out of ketosis.
Sugary Cocktails: Anything with fruit juice (e.g., cranberry, orange), standard tonic water, simple syrup, or liqueurs (e.g., triple sec, amaretto) should be avoided. Classic culprits include margaritas, mojitos, and rum and cokes.
Sweet Ciders: Like beer, most ciders are made from fermented fruit juice and are very high in sugar and carbs.

Comparison of Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Beverages


Drink Type	Serving Size	Carb Content	Example Order at a Bar
Pure Spirits	1.5 oz (shot)	0g	Vodka soda with lime
Dry Wine	5 oz glass	3-5g	Pinot Grigio
Brut Champagne	5 oz glass	~2g	Extra dry sparkling wine
Light Beer	12 oz bottle	2-6g	Michelob Ultra

Conclusion

Maintaining a ketogenic lifestyle at a bar is very manageable with the right knowledge. By prioritizing zero-carb distilled spirits like vodka, whiskey, and tequila, and pairing them with unsweetened mixers like soda water, you can enjoy a refreshing drink without guilt. For wine drinkers, sticking to dry reds and whites is a viable option in moderation. The golden rule is simple: if it's sweet, it's likely not keto-friendly. Always be mindful of your choices, and don't hesitate to ask your bartender for a carb-conscious creation. Cheers to staying in ketosis!

For more detailed information on the specific carb counts of various alcohols and their impact on ketosis, consult authoritative dietary sources like Diet Doctor's Low-Carb Alcohol Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can drink pure, unflavored hard liquor on a keto diet. Distilled spirits like vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey contain zero carbs and are the most keto-friendly alcoholic options available.

The best mixers are those with zero carbs and no added sugar. Excellent choices include soda water, sparkling water, diet tonic water, and a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice.

Dry wines, both red and white, are generally acceptable on a keto diet in moderation. They contain 3-5 grams of carbs per 5-ounce glass. Avoid all sweet wines, dessert wines, and ports, which are very high in sugar.

Most regular beers are high in carbs and should be avoided. Some ultra-light beer options are lower in carbs, but it's best to check the specific brand's nutrition facts. Hard liquors or dry wines are generally a safer choice.

High-carb beverages like sugary cocktails and beer can quickly push you out of ketosis. However, even low-carb alcohol can temporarily stall ketosis because your body prioritizes metabolizing the alcohol before returning to fat burning.

To order a keto-friendly cocktail, ask for a zero-carb spirit mixed with soda water and a twist of citrus. Examples include a vodka soda, gin and diet tonic, or a 'Ranch Water' with tequila, Topo Chico, and lime.

Yes, alcohol contains calories, often called "empty calories" because they offer no nutritional value. Even zero-carb spirits contribute to your daily calorie intake, which can impact weight loss goals.