What Mixed Drink Has the Lowest Carbs? Zero-Carb Cocktails Explained

October 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, pure distilled spirits like vodka, gin, and tequila contain zero carbohydrates, making them the ideal base for creating a mixed drink that has the lowest carbs possible. The key to a low-carb cocktail lies in selecting the right mixer to avoid hidden sugars and syrups.

Quick Summary

Pure distilled spirits like vodka, gin, and tequila have zero carbs, so the lowest-carb mixed drinks are created using these spirits paired with zero-carb mixers like club soda or diet tonic water. Low-carb cocktails, like a classic vodka soda with a lime squeeze, are easily customizable by adding fresh herbs or sugar-free flavorings.

Key Points

Zero-Carb Base: Pure, unflavored spirits like vodka, gin, tequila, and rum are the zero-carb foundation for any low-carb mixed drink.
Mixers are the Culprit: Sugary mixers like juice, regular soda, and tonic water are the primary source of carbs in most cocktails.
The Ultimate Winner: The classic Vodka Soda with a lime wedge is the lowest-carb mixed drink, containing zero carbohydrates when made with club soda or seltzer.
Make Easy Substitutions: Substitute high-carb mixers with diet soda, diet tonic, or sugar-free flavored sparkling water to make other cocktails low-carb.
Dry is Best for Wine: When drinking wine, choose dry varieties over sweet ones, as dry wines contain significantly fewer carbohydrates per glass.
Order Carefully at a Bar: When ordering out, specify "diet" mixers and request fresh citrus instead of pre-made syrups to ensure your drink is low-carb.
Moderation is Key: While many low-carb options exist, excessive alcohol consumption can still interfere with health and weight-loss goals.

Why Are Some Mixed Drinks High in Carbs?

Many popular mixed drinks and cocktails contain high levels of carbohydrates due to their mixers. Sugary sodas, fruit juices, and syrups are common culprits that can quickly turn a simple drink into a high-carb beverage. For example, a single mixed drink made with regular tonic water or cranberry juice can add 15-30 grams of carbohydrates. To make low-carb cocktails, it's crucial to understand where the carbs originate and how to substitute high-sugar ingredients. Choosing a zero-carb spirit is only the first step; the mixer and any added sweeteners are equally important.

The Role of Spirits and Mixers

Unflavored spirits like vodka, gin, rum, and tequila are distilled, a process that removes carbohydrates and sugars. This means that when consumed neat or on the rocks, they contain zero carbs. The moment you introduce a mixer, however, the carbohydrate count can skyrocket. For instance, a vodka and tonic made with regular tonic water is far higher in carbs than a simple vodka soda, as tonic water contains added sugar.

High-Carb Mixers to Avoid
- Regular sodas (Coke, Sprite)
- Most commercial juices (cranberry, orange, pineapple)
- Sweetened cocktail mixes (margarita mix, daiquiri mix)
- Tonic water (unless specified as diet or sugar-free)
- Simple syrup (unless sugar-free)
Low-Carb Mixers to Use
- Club soda or seltzer water
- Diet soda (sugar-free options)
- Diet tonic water
- Fresh lemon or lime juice
- Sugar-free flavored waters
- Bitters (use in moderation)

Zero-Carb Mixed Drink Recipes

Creating a delicious, zero-carb mixed drink is simple with the right ingredients. The following are classic options that rely on zero-carb spirits and mixers.

The Vodka Soda

Ingredients: 2 oz unflavored vodka, 4-6 oz club soda, a generous lime wedge.
Preparation: Fill a highball glass with ice. Add vodka, top with club soda, and squeeze in a fresh lime wedge. Garnish with the wedge.

The Gin Rickey

Ingredients: 2 oz gin, juice of half a lime, club soda.
Preparation: Add gin and fresh lime juice to a highball glass filled with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wheel.

The Ranch Water

Ingredients: 1.5 oz blanco tequila, chilled Topo Chico or other mineral water, a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Preparation: Take a bottle of chilled mineral water, pour out a few ounces, and add the tequila and lime juice directly into the bottle. A pinch of salt is optional.

The Dry Martini

Ingredients: 2.5 oz gin (or vodka), 0.5 oz dry vermouth, lemon twist or olive.
Preparation: Stir the gin and vermouth in a mixing glass with ice until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olives.

Other Low-Carb Alcoholic Choices

For those who prefer options outside of spirits, there are still low-carb beverages to enjoy. Keep in mind that these typically contain a small number of carbs, so they are not entirely zero-carb like the mixed spirit options.

Dry Wines: Dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio and dry red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot contain about 3-5 grams of carbs per 5 oz glass. Sweet wines, however, should be avoided.
Hard Seltzers: Many brands now offer zero or very low-carb hard seltzers, often with 0-3 grams of carbs per can. Examples include Michelob Ultra Hard Seltzer Signature Collection and Canteen Vodka Sodas.
Light Beers: While not zero-carb, many light beer options are far lower in carbs than regular beer, with brands like Michelob Ultra offering around 2.6g per serving.

Comparison Table: Carb Counts in Popular Mixed Drinks


Drink	Main Alcohol	Typical Mixers	Estimated Carb Count (per serving)	Carb-Free Alternative
Vodka Soda	Vodka	Club soda, lime juice	0 grams	N/A
Gin & Tonic	Gin	Tonic water	~16-18 grams	Gin & Diet Tonic
Mojito	Rum	Simple syrup, lime juice, mint, soda water	~15 grams	Keto Mojito (sugar-free syrup)
Margarita	Tequila	Triple sec, lime juice, simple syrup	~20-30 grams	Skinny Margarita (sugar-free syrup, no triple sec)
Cosmopolitan	Vodka	Cointreau, lime juice, cranberry juice	~15 grams	Keto Cosmo (sugar-free cranberry juice, no Cointreau)
Rum & Coke	Rum	Coca-Cola	~39 grams	Rum & Diet Coke

Conclusion

For those seeking the lowest-carb mixed drink, the answer is clear: a zero-carb spirit combined with a zero-carb mixer. The classic vodka soda with a squeeze of lime is the ultimate champion, offering zero carbohydrates and a refreshing taste. Other excellent options include the Gin Rickey and the Ranch Water, which follow the same principle of avoiding sugary syrups and juices. For variety, drinkers can explore dry wines or low-carb hard seltzers, but it is important to check the nutritional information to avoid hidden sugars. The key takeaway for enjoying cocktails while minimizing carb intake is to be mindful of what goes into your glass, prioritizing pure spirits and sugar-free mixers.

Visit the Diet Doctor for more information on low-carb alcohol options.

Frequently Asked Questions

The simplest zero-carb mixed drink is the Vodka Soda. It is made with just unflavored vodka and club soda, with a squeeze of fresh lime for flavor.

Yes, you can drink wine on a low-carb diet. Dry wines, both red and white, contain the lowest amount of carbs, typically 3-5 grams per glass. Sweet and dessert wines should be avoided.

A 'Skinny Margarita' is a low-carb version of the classic Margarita. Instead of a pre-made sugary mix or triple sec, it uses fresh lime juice and a sugar-free sweetener or simple syrup substitute.

No, most flavored spirits are not low-carb. The flavoring often comes from added sugars, so it's best to stick to unflavored varieties of vodka, gin, and rum to keep the carb count at zero.

Yes, regular tonic water is high in carbs due to added sugars, with some containing over 15 grams per serving. To keep drinks low-carb, opt for diet or sugar-free tonic water instead.

White or light rum that is unflavored and has no added sugar is the best choice for a low-carb diet. Spiced or dark rums may contain added sugars.

Yes, diet sodas are an excellent, zero-carb option for mixers. They allow you to enjoy classic combinations like a Rum & Diet Coke or a Whiskey & Diet Ginger Ale.