What Gin Can I Drink on Keto? Your Low-Carb Drinking Guide

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know a standard 1.5 oz serving of pure, unflavored gin contains zero carbs and zero sugar? This makes answering what gin can I drink on keto straightforward: stick to pure gin and be vigilant about your mixers to avoid hidden carbs that could halt your keto progress.

Quick Summary

Pure distilled gin is a keto-friendly spirit with no carbs, provided you choose unflavored varieties and pair it with sugar-free mixers. Learn how to create delicious, low-carb gin cocktails that won't disrupt your state of ketosis by avoiding high-sugar additives and opt for smart substitutions instead.

Key Points

Pure Gin is Carb-Free: Unflavored, distilled gin contains zero carbs and zero sugar, making it keto-safe.
Mixers are the Key: The carbs in gin cocktails come from sugary mixers like regular tonic or juice, not the gin itself.
Choose Sugar-Free Alternatives: Use diet tonic, soda water, or flavored sparkling water for zero-carb mixers.
Avoid Flavored Gins: Pink and flavored gins often contain added sugars and should be avoided on a strict keto diet.
Mindful Moderation: Alcohol temporarily pauses fat-burning, so drink in moderation to maintain your keto progress.
Enhanced Alcohol Effects: Be aware that alcohol can affect you more intensely on a ketogenic diet, so pace yourself and hydrate.
Homemade Sugar-Free Syrups: You can create your own keto-friendly simple syrups using sweeteners like monk fruit for sweeter drinks.

The Keto-Friendly Foundation: Pure Distilled Gin

Pure, unflavored gin is the definitive keto choice among spirits. The reason lies in its distillation process, which removes sugars and carbohydrates from the fermented mash, leaving behind only the alcohol and water. For example, a 1.5-ounce serving of 80-proof gin contains approximately 97 calories but has a pristine nutritional profile of 0 grams of carbs and 0 grams of sugar. It is the perfect blank canvas for a low-carb cocktail.

Why Flavored Gins Are a Keto Trap

While traditional dry gin is a safe bet, the rise of flavored and pink gins has introduced a major pitfall for keto dieters. These varieties often have sugars or syrups added after distillation to enhance their fruit or floral flavors. A 25ml measure of a gin liqueur, for instance, can contain around 20 grams of carbohydrates, which could be your entire daily carb allowance. Always read labels carefully and stick to classic, unflavored London Dry or similar varieties when following a strict ketogenic diet.

Navigating Mixers: The Keto Rulebook

The most common way to get knocked out of ketosis with a gin cocktail is by using a high-sugar mixer. Standard tonic water, for instance, can contain between 8 and 14 grams of carbs per serving, turning a zero-carb spirit into a sugary drink. The key is to replace these with zero-carb alternatives that still provide flavor and fizz.

Low-Carb Mixer Options

Diet Tonic Water: Brands like Fever-Tree Light, Schweppes Slimline, and TwelveBelow offer delicious, sugar-free tonic options that maintain the classic Gin & Tonic flavor.
Club Soda or Seltzer: Plain carbonated water is a zero-carb choice that lets the botanical flavors of your gin shine.
Flavored Sparkling Water: Sugar-free, naturally flavored sparkling waters (e.g., LaCroix, Bubly) can add a hint of fruit without the carbs.
Fresh Citrus: A squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice adds a zesty, low-carb element. Just be mindful of how much you add, as fruit contains some natural sugar.
Keto Simple Syrup: For sweeter drinks, you can make your own sugar-free simple syrup using sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia.

Keto Gin Cocktail Recipes

Creating delicious, low-carb gin drinks is surprisingly simple. Here are a few easy-to-follow recipes:

Classic Keto Gin & Tonic

Ingredients: 2 oz dry gin, 4 oz diet tonic water, a lime wedge.
Method: Fill a glass with ice. Add gin and top with diet tonic. Squeeze in a lime wedge and garnish with a fresh slice. Stir gently.

Sparkling Cucumber & Mint Gin Cooler

Ingredients: 2 oz dry gin, 3-4 cucumber slices, 5-6 fresh mint leaves, 4 oz club soda, squeeze of lime.
Method: In a glass, muddle the cucumber slices and mint leaves. Add ice, gin, and a squeeze of lime juice. Top with club soda and stir. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and cucumber ribbon.

Rosemary Gin Fizz

Ingredients: 2 oz dry gin, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz keto rosemary simple syrup (monk fruit, rosemary, water), 3 oz lemon soda water.
Method: Combine gin, lemon juice, and keto simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice and top with lemon soda water. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Keto-Friendly Gin vs. Carb-Heavy Alternatives


Drink Type	Carb Content (approx.)	Keto Friendliness	Notes
Pure Dry Gin (1.5 oz)	0g	Excellent	Zero carbs and sugar due to distillation.
Keto Gin & Tonic	0g (with diet tonic)	Excellent	Uses pure gin and a diet or light tonic water.
Flavored Gin (25ml)	~1-20g	Poor to Avoid	Often contains added sugars after distillation.
Gin Liqueur (25ml)	~20g	Avoid	These are liqueurs and act as dessert wines, high in sugar.
Standard Gin & Tonic	8-14g+	Avoid	Regular tonic is loaded with sugar, easily knocking you out of ketosis.
Gin Cocktails with Juice	Variable, often high	Avoid	Fruit juices like orange or cranberry are packed with sugar.

The Impact of Alcohol on Ketosis

While pure gin is carb-free, drinking alcohol on keto still requires a strategy. When alcohol is consumed, the liver prioritizes its metabolism over fat burning, temporarily slowing your ability to produce ketones. This does not mean you are instantly 'kicked out' of ketosis, but it will pause your fat-burning efforts. For this reason, moderation is key. Drinking heavily can also lower your inhibitions, potentially leading to poor food choices that will take you out of ketosis. It's also important to note that many people experience heightened alcohol effects on a keto diet, so it's wise to drink less than you normally would and stay hydrated.

Conclusion: Sip Smarter, Not Harder

For those on a ketogenic diet, gin can absolutely be part of your social life, but success hinges on smart choices and moderation. By selecting pure, unflavored gin and pairing it with zero-carb mixers like diet tonic, club soda, or fresh citrus, you can enjoy a delicious drink without compromising your low-carb goals. Just remember that alcohol consumption temporarily shifts your body's metabolic focus, so always drink mindfully and in moderation. With the right strategy, you can raise a glass to your health journey while staying in ketosis. For more information on the ketogenic diet, consult reliable health resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, pure and unflavored gin is perfectly suitable for a keto diet. The distillation process removes all carbs and sugar, making it a zero-carb spirit.

No, most pink and flavored gins are not suitable for a keto diet as they typically have sugars added after distillation to create their flavor and color.

To make a keto-friendly gin and tonic, you must use a diet or light tonic water, as regular tonic contains significant amounts of sugar. Look for brands like Fever-Tree Light or Schweppes Slimline.

Drinking pure gin with low-carb mixers won't add carbs, but the alcohol will temporarily be prioritized for metabolism over fat-burning. Consumed in moderation, it is unlikely to permanently stall weight loss.

Yes, several brands like Dhos Gin Free or Monday Zero Alcohol Gin offer zero-sugar, zero-carb, non-alcoholic spirits that replicate the botanical flavors of gin, ideal for keto mocktails.

A simple and refreshing option is a Gin Rickey. Mix pure gin, fresh lime juice, and top with club soda. It's zero-carb and hydrating.

To make a keto simple syrup, heat water with a zero-carb sweetener like liquid monk fruit or stevia. You can also infuse it with herbs like rosemary for extra flavor.

Some people on keto report more intense effects from alcohol and worse hangovers, possibly due to dehydration and a body that's not accustomed to processing glucose. Staying well-hydrated is important.