Which Alcohol is Not Good for Diabetes? Avoid These High-Sugar Drinks

November 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Diabetes Association, alcoholic drinks can significantly impact blood sugar levels. Understanding exactly which alcohol is not good for diabetes is critical for managing your condition and avoiding complications from unstable glucose levels.

Quick Summary

Many popular alcoholic drinks, including sugary cocktails, sweet wines, and high-carb beers, can cause dangerous blood sugar fluctuations for individuals with diabetes, emphasizing the need for informed choices.

Key Points

Sugary Cocktails are a Major Risk: Drinks mixed with high-sugar sodas, juices, and syrups can cause severe and rapid spikes in blood sugar.
Avoid Sweet Wines and Liqueurs: Dessert wines, sweet sherries, and creamy liqueurs are very high in sugar and should be avoided to prevent hyperglycemia.
Regular Beer is High in Carbs: Standard beers can significantly increase blood sugar due to their high carbohydrate content; light beer is a better, but not risk-free, alternative.
Hypoglycemia is a Serious Danger: Alcohol can inhibit the liver's ability to release glucose, potentially causing a dangerous drop in blood sugar hours after consumption, especially on an empty stomach.
Moderation and Monitoring are Key: If you choose to drink, opt for low-sugar options, eat food, and closely monitor your blood glucose levels to stay safe.
Be Cautious with Alcohol and Medication: Alcohol can interact negatively with certain diabetes medications like insulin, altering their effectiveness.

The Problem with Alcohol and Diabetes

For individuals with diabetes, the relationship with alcohol is complex. While many believe it's off-limits, the key is understanding how different types affect blood sugar and overall health. The primary culprits are beverages and mixers loaded with carbohydrates and sugar, which can lead to dangerous spikes and crashes in blood glucose. Furthermore, alcohol interferes with the liver's ability to regulate blood sugar, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia, particularly when consumed on an empty stomach.

The Worst Offenders for Blood Sugar

Sugary Cocktails and Mixers

Many popular cocktails are a dangerous mix of liquor and sugary mixers, turning a standard drink into a blood sugar nightmare. These mixers contain high levels of simple sugars that are absorbed quickly, causing rapid blood glucose spikes.

Margaritas and daiquiris, often made with sweetened lime juice and syrups
Pina coladas, which are rich in pineapple juice and coconut cream
Long Island Iced Teas, which use a variety of spirits mixed with high-sugar cola
Standard sodas, juices, and regular tonic water when used as mixers

Sweet Wines and Liqueurs

Sweet wines and liqueurs are another category to be approached with extreme caution. As their names imply, they are created with high sugar content, which can lead to significant and rapid increases in blood glucose levels.

Dessert wines: Examples include Moscato and Sauternes
Sweet sherries and port: Traditionally served after meals and loaded with sugar
Cream liqueurs: Such as Baileys Irish Cream, which are high in both sugar and calories

Regular Beer

While often overlooked, regular beer is a significant source of carbohydrates. The carb content varies but can range from 10 to 15 grams or more per serving. This high carbohydrate load can cause a noticeable rise in blood sugar, making it an unfavorable choice for effective diabetes management. Low-carb beer alternatives exist, but even these must be consumed in moderation, as they often have higher alcohol content.

Worst vs. Better Alcohol Choices for Diabetes


Drink Category	Worst Choices (High Carbs/Sugar)	Better Choices (Lower Carbs/Sugar)
Wines	Sweet wines, dessert wines, port, sherry	Dry wines (Red or White), Prosecco
Beers	Regular beer, stout, most ales, craft beers	Light beer, low-carb beer options
Cocktails	Cocktails with sugary mixers (e.g., Margaritas, Pina Coladas)	Spirits with diet soda, club soda, or water
Liqueurs	Liqueurs, cordials, Alcopops	Avoid; no comparable low-sugar alternative
Spirits	Flavored vodkas, spiced rums with added sugar	Unflavored spirits (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey)

The Risks Beyond Blood Sugar Spikes

It's not just about immediate glucose spikes. Alcohol poses several other risks for individuals with diabetes:

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): A delayed but significant risk. The liver, which usually releases stored glucose to prevent a drop in blood sugar, prioritizes metabolizing alcohol. This can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels hours after drinking, especially if consuming on an empty stomach or taking insulin.
Weight Gain: Alcohol contains a high number of empty calories. Frequent consumption contributes to weight gain, which exacerbates insulin resistance and makes diabetes management more difficult.
Medication Interference: Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of certain diabetes medications, such as insulin and sulfonylureas.
Masking Symptoms: The symptoms of hypoglycemia (confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness) can be easily mistaken for intoxication, making it hard for others to recognize a medical emergency.
Worsening Complications: Excessive drinking can worsen existing diabetes complications like neuropathy (nerve damage), kidney damage, and eye damage.

Strategies for Safer Drinking with Diabetes

If you choose to drink, these strategies can help minimize risks:

Always consume alcohol with a meal or a carbohydrate-rich snack to stabilize blood sugar.
Opt for low-sugar, low-carb options like dry wines, light beers, or distilled spirits mixed with sugar-free beverages.
Pace yourself and drink slowly. Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, like water.
Wear a medical ID to alert others of your condition in case of a hypoglycemic episode.
Never drink alone and inform those you are with about your condition and what to do in an emergency.
Measure your blood sugar levels before, during, and up to 24 hours after drinking to understand how it affects you.

Conclusion

For those with diabetes, the question of which alcohol is not good for them is best answered by understanding the drinks that are high in sugar and carbohydrates. Sugary cocktails, sweet wines, and regular beer are among the worst choices, while dry wines, light beer, and spirits with diet mixers are safer alternatives when consumed in moderation. However, due to the inherent risks, especially hypoglycemia, it is crucial to speak with a healthcare provider before consuming alcohol. Being aware and making informed choices is the most effective way to protect your health while living with diabetes.

For more information on managing diabetes and alcohol, consult authoritative sources like the American Diabetes Association guidelines on alcohol and diabetes: https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/alcohol-and-diabetes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alcohol interferes with the liver's ability to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, which can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). This risk is particularly high for people on insulin or certain diabetes medications.

Cocktails made with sugary mixers such as juices, regular sodas, syrups, and sweetened concentrates are particularly bad. Examples include margaritas, pina coladas, and any drink using a non-diet mixer.

Dry red and white wines are generally considered safer options than sweeter varieties due to their lower sugar content. However, moderation is essential, and sweet dessert wines should be avoided.

Yes, light beer is a better choice than regular beer because it contains fewer carbohydrates and calories. However, it is still crucial to monitor blood sugar levels and drink in moderation.

Good low-carb options include dry red or white wine, light beer, hard seltzers, or distilled spirits (vodka, gin, whiskey) mixed with water, club soda, or diet soda.

Exercising can lower blood sugar, and combining this with alcohol, which also lowers blood sugar, increases the risk of severe hypoglycemia. It's best to avoid drinking alcohol immediately after physical activity.

To prevent hypoglycemia, always eat a meal or snack containing carbohydrates when you drink, never replace a meal with alcohol, and check your blood sugar before bed and throughout the night if you've been drinking.