What Cocktail Has Low Carbs? Your Guide to Guilt-Free Sips

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, most distilled spirits like vodka, gin, and tequila contain zero carbohydrates, but the high-sugar mixers and liqueurs are where the carbs hide. If you're wondering what cocktail has low carbs, the secret is making smart ingredient swaps to enjoy refreshing drinks guilt-free.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals how to craft delicious, low-carb cocktails by substituting high-sugar ingredients with keto-friendly alternatives. Explore recipes for classics like the Skinny Margarita and Keto Mojito, learn which spirits are carb-free, and discover the best mixers to keep your drinks light and satisfying.

Key Points

Start with Carb-Free Spirits: Unflavored vodka, gin, tequila, and rum are all excellent bases for low-carb cocktails.
Choose Sugar-Free Mixers: Opt for club soda, seltzer, diet tonic water, and fresh citrus juice to keep carbs low.
Avoid Sugary Additions: Stay away from high-sugar liqueurs and sweetened juices, which dramatically increase a cocktail's carb count.
Make Your Own Simple Syrup: Create a sugar-free version using a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol to control sweetness.
Embrace Fresh Garnishes: Use fresh herbs, citrus peels, and berries to add flavor and aroma without adding sugar.
Enjoy Low-Carb Classics: Easily make popular drinks like Skinny Margaritas, Keto Mojitos, and Vodka Sodas with simple ingredient swaps.
Read Labels Carefully: Always check the sugar and carb content of all mixers, including kombucha and diet sodas.

The Art of Low-Carb Cocktail Crafting

Embracing a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite cocktails. The key is understanding which components contribute to the carb count and making strategic substitutions. High-sugar ingredients are the primary culprits, but with a few simple tricks, you can create delicious and refreshing drinks that won't derail your diet.

The Best Spirits for Low-Carb Drinks

Your foundation for a low-carb cocktail should be a pure, distilled spirit, as these contain no carbohydrates. Always opt for the unflavored versions, as flavored spirits can have added sugars. Excellent choices include:

Vodka: A versatile, neutral base for a wide variety of drinks.
Gin: Offers a botanical flavor profile, pairing well with fresh herbs and citrus.
Tequila: Perfect for crafting light and zesty margaritas.
Rum: Ideal for mojitos when paired with low-carb sweeteners.
Whiskey/Bourbon: Forms the base for low-carb versions of a Whiskey Sour or Old Fashioned.

Essential Low-Carb Mixers

Swapping out sugary sodas and juices is the most important step for reducing your cocktail's carb count. Stock your bar with these staples:

Club Soda or Seltzer: A zero-carb, effervescent mixer.
Diet Tonic Water: A sugar-free version of the classic mixer.
Sugar-Free Simple Syrup: Made with water and a keto-approved sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit.
Fresh Citrus Juice: Lemon and lime juice add flavor with minimal carbs.
Herbal Tea: Chilled and unsweetened, it can provide a complex flavor base.

Sugary Ingredients to Avoid

To keep your cocktails low-carb, steer clear of these high-sugar items:

Sugary fruit juices (e.g., orange juice, pineapple juice)
Regular simple syrup
Sweet liqueurs (e.g., Triple Sec, Kahlúa, Amaretto)
Traditional mixers like regular tonic water and cola

Classic Low-Carb Cocktails You Can Make Today

Here are some classic cocktail recipes adapted for a low-carb lifestyle, with approximate net carb counts per serving.

Skinny Margarita (Approx. 2-3g net carbs)
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz sugar-free simple syrup
- Splash of sparkling water
- Instructions: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice.
Keto Mojito (Approx. 1-2g net carbs)
- 2 oz white rum
- 10-12 fresh mint leaves
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz sugar-free simple syrup
- Club soda
- Instructions: Muddle mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup in a glass. Add rum and ice, then top with club soda and stir gently.
Gin Rickey (Approx. 0-1g net carbs)
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Club soda
- Instructions: Combine gin and lime juice in a highball glass over ice. Fill with club soda and stir gently.
Low-Carb Cosmopolitan (Approx. 1g net carb)
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz sugar-free orange liqueur (see FAQ)
- Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Vodka Soda (Approx. 0g net carbs)
- 2 oz vodka
- Club soda
- Lime wedge
- Instructions: Fill a glass with ice, add vodka, and top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Comparison Table: Low-Carb vs. Traditional Cocktails


Cocktail	Traditional Carb Count	Low-Carb Carb Count	Key Changes for Low-Carb Version
Margarita	38g+	~2-3g	Replace orange liqueur and sweet-and-sour mix with sugar-free simple syrup, orange extract, and fresh lime juice.
Mojito	10-20g+	~1-2g	Use sugar-free simple syrup instead of traditional sugar.
Gin and Tonic	15g+	~0-1g	Use diet tonic water instead of regular tonic.
White Russian	27g+	~5-10g	Use heavy cream and a sugar-free coffee liqueur substitute.
Cosmopolitan	16g+	~1g	Use unsweetened cranberry juice and a sugar-free orange liqueur substitute.

Tips for Building Your Low-Carb Cocktail Repertoire

Infusions: Create flavored syrups or liqueurs at home by infusing spirits with fresh fruits and herbs. For instance, infuse vodka with berries for a naturally sweet flavor. This avoids added sugars from commercial flavored liqueurs.
Sparkling Wine: A dry sparkling wine, like Brut Champagne, is a great low-carb base for spritzers. Combine it with club soda and a splash of unsweetened fruit purée for a festive, light drink.
Kombucha: Select unsweetened or low-sugar kombucha to use as a tangy mixer for a refreshing, probiotic-rich cocktail. Be sure to check the label for carb content.
Bitters: A few dashes of bitters can add complex flavor without sugar. Orange, Angostura, or celery bitters can elevate a drink with minimal impact on carbs.
Garnishes: Utilize fresh, low-carb garnishes like citrus peels, mint leaves, cucumber slices, or berries to enhance the aroma and visual appeal of your cocktails.

Conclusion: Sipping Smartly

Crafting a low-carb cocktail is all about making intelligent choices with your mixers. By opting for distilled, unflavored spirits and sugar-free alternatives like club soda, fresh citrus, and keto-friendly sweeteners, you can enjoy a wide array of delicious cocktails. This thoughtful approach allows you to savor the experience without the high-sugar content, proving that guilt-free, flavorful drinks are completely achievable. For more information on understanding the carb content in different beverages, you can visit a source like Verywell Fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Distilled, unflavored spirits like vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and tequila are the lowest carb alcohol, as they contain zero carbs.

Club soda and seltzer are excellent zero-carb mixers. You can add flavor by squeezing fresh lime or lemon juice into the drink.

Yes, a Bloody Mary can be low-carb. While tomato juice contains some carbs (about 1g per ounce), it can be a relatively low-carb option depending on the serving size and if you avoid sugary additives.

To make a low-carb margarita, combine tequila, fresh lime juice, and a sugar-free simple syrup (made with a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol) over ice. You can also add a splash of sparkling water.

Yes, diet sodas can be used as low-carb mixers. They provide sweetness and fizziness without the sugar. Examples include diet tonic water, diet cola, or sugar-free lemon-lime soda.

You can replace Triple Sec with a combination of sugar-free simple syrup and a high-quality orange extract to mimic the orange flavor without the sugar.

Yes, but stick to dry wines. Dry red and white wines, such as Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc, have a lower carb count (around 3-4g per glass) than sweeter varieties.

A low-carb White Russian can be made with vodka, a sugar-free coffee liqueur substitute, and heavy cream instead of the traditional sugary ingredients. You can also use unsweetened almond milk and a touch of heavy cream.