What alcohol has no carbs?: A Nutrition Guide to Zero-Carb Spirits

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

Pure distilled spirits, such as vodka, gin, and whiskey, are completely carb-free due to the distillation process that removes sugars. For those mindful of their diet, understanding what alcohol has no carbs? is the first step toward making smarter drink choices that align with your nutritional goals.

Quick Summary

Pure distilled liquors like vodka, gin, and whiskey naturally contain zero carbohydrates, but the mixers used often add unwanted sugar. Choosing carb-free mixers is key for low-carb diets.

Key Points

Pure spirits contain zero carbs: Unflavored vodka, gin, whiskey, tequila (100% agave), and rum are naturally carb-free due to distillation.
Sugary mixers add hidden carbs: The biggest source of carbohydrates in many alcoholic drinks comes from juices, sodas, and syrups.
Choose zero-carb mixers: To keep a drink carb-free, mix spirits with club soda, diet soda, or a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon.
Alcohol contains calories: Despite being carb-free, alcohol provides calories (7 per gram) that offer no nutritional value.
Metabolism pauses fat-burning: When your body processes alcohol, it temporarily halts the metabolism of fats, which can stall weight loss.
Practice moderation: Even with low-carb options, consuming alcohol in excess can negatively affect your diet and overall health goals.
Read labels on flavored spirits: Flavored liquors often have added sugars, so check the label carefully to confirm the carb count.

Understanding the Distillation Process

Alcohol is a product of fermentation, a process where yeast consumes sugars to produce alcohol. Many people mistakenly assume all alcohol is high in carbs because it starts with sugary or starchy ingredients like grains or grapes. However, the distillation process for spirits completely changes the nutritional profile. Distillation heats the fermented mixture and captures the alcohol vapor, leaving the carbohydrates behind. The result is a pure, unflavored spirit that contains only alcohol and water, making it naturally carb-free.

The Zero-Carb Hall of Fame: Pure Spirits

If you're on a strict low-carb diet, or simply watching your sugar intake, pure distilled spirits are your best option. They offer flavor and alcoholic content without the added carbohydrates found in many other beverages. Remember, this applies to unflavored varieties. Flavored spirits or liqueurs often have sugars added back in post-distillation.

Vodka: A versatile spirit with a neutral flavor profile that is completely carb-free.
Gin: Made by distilling a neutral spirit with botanicals like juniper berries, pure gin contains zero carbohydrates.
Tequila (100% Agave): Made from the agave plant, pure tequila is also a zero-carb choice.
Whiskey: Despite being made from grains, distillation removes all carbs, leaving whiskey with a carb count of zero.
Rum (Unflavored): Pure, unflavored rum has no carbs. Spiced or flavored rums, however, can contain added sugars.

The Sneaky Culprits: High-Carb Mixers

While the base spirits might be carb-free, your drink's carb count can skyrocket depending on what you mix it with. Sweet mixers are the primary source of hidden carbohydrates. To keep your drinks low-carb, opt for alternatives with zero or very few carbs.

High-Carb Mixers to Avoid:

Sugary sodas and juices: Regular cola, orange juice, and cranberry juice can add 15-30 grams of carbs or more to a single drink.
Sweet liqueurs: Triple sec, amaretto, and coffee liqueurs are loaded with sugar.
Pre-made cocktail mixes: These convenient mixes are notoriously high in sugar and calories.

Zero/Low-Carb Mixer Alternatives:

Club soda or seltzer water
Diet sodas
Sugar-free tonic water
A splash of lime or lemon juice

Comparing Alcohol Carb Counts

For a clear picture of how different alcoholic beverages compare, here is a table showing approximate carb counts per standard serving. This highlights why pure spirits are the clear winner for carb-conscious drinkers.


Beverage Type	Standard Serving	Approximate Carb Count (grams)	Notes
Pure Spirits (Vodka, Gin, Tequila, Whiskey, Rum)	1.5 oz shot	0	Unflavored only
Dry Wine (Red or White)	5 oz glass	3-5	Carb content varies based on sweetness
Light Beer	12 oz can	2-6	Specific carbs depend on brand
Regular Beer	12 oz can	10-15	High in carbs from grain
Sweet Wine (e.g., Dessert Wine)	3.5 oz glass	14+	Very high residual sugar
Sugary Cocktail (e.g., Margarita)	8 oz drink	20-30+	Mixers are the carb source

Alcohol's Impact on Metabolism and Weight Loss

Even with zero-carb alcohol, there's a metabolic reality to consider. When you consume alcohol, your body prioritizes its processing over burning fat for energy. The liver, which is responsible for detoxifying the body, focuses on metabolizing the alcohol first. This metabolic diversion can temporarily pause your weight loss progress, even if you are on a very low-carb or keto diet.

Furthermore, alcohol contains calories—about 7 calories per gram, which is nearly as much as fat (9 calories per gram). These are often called "empty calories" because they offer no nutritional value. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lower inhibitions, potentially leading to poor food choices and overeating.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Drinks on a Low-Carb Diet

If you choose to incorporate alcohol into your nutritional plan, follow these practical tips to minimize its impact on your diet:

Track Your Carbs: If you're mixing, be sure to track the carbs from your mixers, not just the alcohol. Use an app or check nutritional labels.
Stay Hydrated: Alternate your alcoholic drinks with glasses of water. This helps prevent dehydration and can slow your overall consumption.
Drink in Moderation: Keep your intake light. Many people find their tolerance for alcohol decreases on a low-carb diet.
Know Your Limits: Pay attention to how your body responds. The effects of alcohol can be more pronounced when you are restricting carbohydrates.
Plan Ahead: If you know you'll be drinking, plan your carb intake for the day accordingly to stay within your dietary limits.

Conclusion: Moderation and Smart Choices Win

For those asking "what alcohol has no carbs?", the answer is pure distilled spirits. Unflavored vodka, gin, whiskey, and tequila are the top choices for a low-carb lifestyle. However, it's the mixers that are the biggest risk. By choosing zero-carb mixers like club soda or diet tonic, you can enjoy a carb-free alcoholic beverage. While zero-carb spirits don't add carbohydrates, remember that alcohol itself contains calories and can impact your metabolism. Ultimately, moderation and making smart, informed choices are the keys to balancing your social life with your nutritional goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, only pure, unflavored, distilled spirits like vodka, gin, whiskey, and tequila have zero carbs. Flavored liqueurs and spirits often have added sugars that increase the carb content.

Yes, zero-carb spirits are suitable for a keto diet, but it is important to choose carb-free mixers. Remember that alcohol can affect ketosis and temporarily pause fat-burning.

Carb content in wine varies. Dry wines generally have 3-5 grams per 5-ounce glass, whereas sweeter dessert wines contain significantly more sugar and carbohydrates.

Great options include a vodka soda with lime, a dry martini, or unflavored rum with diet cola. Using club soda, seltzer, or diet beverages as mixers is key.

When you drink alcohol, your body prioritizes its metabolism, which puts a temporary pause on fat-burning. The calories in alcohol (7 per gram) can also contribute to weight gain.

No, flavored spirits and liqueurs often contain added sugars and carbohydrates. For instance, pink gin contains about 1g of carbs per 25ml, while gin liqueurs can have around 20g.

The best options are club soda, seltzer water, diet sodas, or a splash of lime or lemon juice. These contain zero carbohydrates and won't add sugar to your drink.