What cocktail has the least calories and carbs?

November 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know a standard Margarita can pack over 200 calories and 25 grams of carbs? For health-conscious drinkers, understanding what cocktail has the least calories and carbs is crucial for enjoying a night out without derailing wellness goals.

Quick Summary

This article reveals which popular cocktails are lowest in calories and carbohydrates, highlighting the undisputed king and offering tips for modifying recipes for even lower counts.

Key Points

Vodka Soda is King: The Vodka Soda is the undisputed lowest-calorie and lowest-carb cocktail, containing approximately 100 calories and zero carbs.
Dry Martini is an Option: A 'dry' or 'extra dry' martini is a low-carb alternative, with its calorie count depending on the amount of gin or vodka used.
Mind Your Mixers: Sugary mixers like regular tonic water, fruit juices, and syrups are the biggest source of calories and carbs in cocktails.
Clear Spirits are Low Carb: Vodka, gin, and tequila are all zero-carb spirits, making them the ideal base for low-calorie cocktails.
Make Your Own: Use fresh lime/lemon juice, herbs, and diet mixers to craft flavorful, low-calorie, and low-carb drinks at home.
Avoid Premade Mixes: Bottled cocktail mixes are almost always loaded with sugar and should be avoided for a healthy drink.

The Undisputed Champion: The Vodka Soda

When it comes to a cocktail with the absolute minimum number of calories and carbohydrates, the Vodka Soda is the clear winner. This simple, two-ingredient concoction consists of a shot of vodka and plain soda water, garnished with a lime wedge. A standard serving of this drink contains virtually zero carbohydrates and typically falls between 95 and 130 calories, depending on the proof and amount of vodka used. The absence of sugary mixers, syrups, or juices makes it the perfect choice for those monitoring their intake.

Other Lean Contenders

While the Vodka Soda is a minimalist masterpiece, several other cocktails can be enjoyed with minimal guilt. These alternatives still require some careful selection and modifications to keep them lean.

The Dry Martini

For a more sophisticated, low-calorie option, a Dry Martini is an excellent choice. Made with gin or vodka and a dash of dry vermouth, the key is to ask for it 'dry,' which means very little vermouth is used. A standard Dry Martini (around 2.5 ounces of gin) is roughly 175 calories and has 0.5 grams of carbs. By ordering it 'extra dry' or 'bone dry,' you can reduce the carb count to nearly zero. Remember, the olives or a lemon twist add minimal calories.

Gin and Diet Tonic

Swapping regular tonic water for diet tonic makes the classic Gin and Tonic an instant low-calorie and low-carb option. Regular tonic water is a hidden source of high-fructose corn syrup, while diet tonic is sweetened with artificial sweeteners and contains negligible calories and carbs. A typical Gin and Diet Tonic is around 110-150 calories and near-zero carbs, depending on the gin.

Tequila and Soda

Much like the Vodka Soda, a Tequila and Soda with a lime garnish is a fantastic option. Tequila itself is a zero-carb spirit, and when mixed with zero-calorie soda water, it creates a refreshing, low-impact drink. The calorie count is similar to that of a Vodka Soda, hovering around 100-130 calories per serving.

How to Build a Low-Calorie, Low-Carb Cocktail

Crafting your own healthy cocktails is a simple process once you understand the core principles. The secret lies in the ingredients you select. Here's a quick guide to what to use and what to avoid.

Spirits:

Vodka
Gin
Tequila
Rum
Whiskey

All of these spirits are typically zero-carb. The calories come from the alcohol content, so a higher-proof spirit will have more calories per ounce.

Mixers:

Soda Water (Club Soda): A zero-calorie, zero-carb base.
Diet Tonic Water: A zero-calorie substitute for traditional tonic.
Unsweetened Iced Tea: A great base for whiskey or rum.
Diet Soda: A simple swap for high-sugar versions.
Fresh Lemon/Lime Juice: A great source of flavor without the sugar.

Flavors and Garnishes:

Fresh Mint
Cucumbers
Berries
Herbs
Low-calorie sweeteners (Stevia, Erythritol)

Low-Calorie Cocktail Recipe

The Skinny Citrus Smash

This is a refreshing and simple recipe that embodies the low-calorie, low-carb ethos.

Ingredients:

2 oz Gin
4 oz Soda Water
1/2 Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
A few slices of cucumber
Fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

Muddle a few mint leaves and cucumber slices in the bottom of a glass.
Fill the glass with ice.
Pour in the gin and fresh lime juice.
Top with soda water and stir gently.
Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and cucumber slice.

Comparison of Cocktail Nutrition


Cocktail	Approx. Calories	Approx. Carbs
Vodka Soda	100	0
Dry Martini	175	<1g
Gin & Diet Tonic	130	0
Tequila & Soda	100	0
Regular Gin & Tonic	170	17g
Standard Margarita	220	25g
Rum & Coke	180	25g

The Culprits: What to Avoid

To keep your cocktails lean, it's just as important to know what to avoid as what to include. Here are some of the biggest offenders:

Simple Syrups: These are pure sugar water and should be swapped for low-calorie alternatives.
Sugary Juices: Cranberry, orange, and pineapple juices are loaded with sugar.
Sweet Liqueurs: Triple sec, amaretto, and other sugary liqueurs add significant carbs and calories.
Pre-made Mixes: Most bottled margarita and daiquiri mixes are full of high-fructose corn syrup.

For more detailed nutritional information, consult the USDA FoodData Central database to research specific ingredients.

Conclusion

For those watching their caloric and carbohydrate intake, the Vodka Soda remains the gold standard for a guilt-free cocktail. However, a range of other simple, refreshing, and delicious options exist, like the Dry Martini and Gin and Diet Tonic. By being mindful of your mixer choices and opting for clear, zero-carb spirits, you can enjoy a drink without compromising your health goals. The key is to prioritize pure spirits and zero-calorie mixers over sugary syrups and juices. With a little creativity, you can still enjoy a delicious and satisfying cocktail that's both flavorful and low-impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the tonic water. A classic Gin and Tonic uses sugar-filled tonic and is not low carb. However, a Gin and Diet Tonic, using diet or zero-calorie tonic, is a very low-carb option.

Dry wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, are relatively low in carbs. Light beer is also a lower-calorie and lower-carb alternative to regular beer, but most cocktails on this list will be even lower.

Yes, in moderation. Stick to spirits like vodka, gin, and tequila with sugar-free mixers to keep your carb intake minimal. Many people on a keto diet successfully incorporate these types of drinks.

Generally, yes. Most fruity cocktails use sugary juices, syrups, and liqueurs. You can make low-carb versions by using fresh fruit muddled with zero-calorie sweeteners and soda water.

Instead of a sugary mix, use fresh lime juice, high-quality tequila, and a small amount of agave nectar or a keto-friendly sweetener. Add soda water for volume without calories.

Plain soda water (club soda) is the best zero-calorie, zero-carb mixer. Other good options include diet soda, diet tonic water, and unsweetened iced tea.

Calories in spirits are primarily determined by alcohol content. A higher-proof spirit will have more calories per ounce than a lower-proof one, but all standard spirits are zero-carb.

Yes. Seltzer water is essentially the same as soda water but without added minerals. Both are excellent, zero-calorie, zero-carb mixers.