Which alcoholic beverages have no carbs?

November 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition experts, pure distilled spirits like whiskey, vodka, and gin contain zero carbohydrates because all sugars are removed during the distillation process. Navigating social drinking can be a challenge on a low-carb diet, which is why knowing which alcoholic beverages have no carbs is essential for staying on track. This guide breaks down the best zero-carb choices and the high-carb pitfalls to avoid.

Quick Summary

Pure distilled spirits like vodka, gin, and whiskey are carb-free, while light beers and dry wines are low-carb options. The key is to avoid sugary mixers and sweet cocktails, which add significant carbohydrates. Learn how to choose wisely for a low-carb lifestyle.

Key Points

Pure Spirits are Zero-Carb: Unflavored spirits like vodka, gin, whiskey, and tequila contain no carbs due to the distillation process.
Choose Your Mixers Wisely: Sugary mixers like juice and regular soda can turn a zero-carb spirit into a high-carb cocktail.
Dry Wine is a Low-Carb Option: Dry red and white wines contain only 3-5 grams of carbs per glass, but sweeter wines should be avoided.
Light Beer over Regular Beer: For beer drinkers, light versions contain significantly fewer carbs (2-6g) than traditional beers (10-15g).
Hard Seltzers are a Modern Alternative: Many hard seltzers are low-carb, but it is important to check the specific brand's label.
Flavorings Add Carbs: Flavored spirits and liqueurs often contain added sugars and should be avoided on a strict low-carb diet.
Moderation is Key: Even with zero carbs, alcohol contains calories and can interfere with fat burning and weight loss.

Pure Distilled Spirits: The Zero-Carb Champions

When seeking alcoholic beverages with no carbs, pure distilled spirits are the undisputed champions. The distillation process involves heating a fermented mixture and collecting the resulting alcohol vapor, leaving behind the sugars and carbohydrates from the original source material. This purification method results in a clean, carb-free spirit. However, this only applies to the unflavored varieties. Any flavoring, sugar, or other additives introduced after distillation will add carbohydrates.

Vodka: Made from fermented potatoes or grains, vodka is distilled multiple times, stripping away all sugars. A 1.5-ounce shot of pure vodka contains 0 grams of carbs and roughly 97 calories.
Gin: Similar to vodka, gin's base is a neutral grain alcohol that is then re-distilled with botanicals like juniper berries. This process leaves behind the carbs, making pure gin carb-free.
Whiskey: Whether it's bourbon, scotch, or rye, pure whiskey is aged but not sweetened. The distillation process ensures there are no carbohydrates left in the final product. A standard 1.5-ounce shot contains zero carbs.
Tequila: Made from the fermented juices of the blue agave plant, 100% agave tequila is carb-free after distillation. Be cautious with "mixto" tequilas, which can contain added sugars.
Rum: Unflavored, clear rum has no carbs. Similar to other spirits, its carbs are removed during distillation. However, spiced and flavored rums often have added sugar and should be avoided on a no-carb diet.

Other Low-Carb Alternatives

While not strictly zero-carb, there are other low-carb options for those with less strict dietary needs.

Dry Wines: For wine lovers, dry red and white wines are the best options. The fermentation process converts most of the grape sugars into alcohol, leaving very little residual sugar. A typical 5-ounce glass of a dry wine like Pinot Grigio or Cabernet Sauvignon contains only 3 to 5 grams of carbs. Sweet dessert wines, ports, and sherries should be avoided as they are packed with sugar.
Light Beers: Most light beers significantly reduce the carb content compared to their regular counterparts by altering the brewing process. While regular beer can have 10-15 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving, light beers typically range from 2 to 6 grams. Popular options like Michelob Ultra (2.6g) or Coors Light (5.0g) are good choices.
Hard Seltzers: These have become a popular low-carb alternative. Made from carbonated water, alcohol, and fruit flavorings, many brands are zero or very low in carbs. A quick check of the label is recommended, but brands like White Claw are known for low-carb counts.

Comparison Table: Carb Content in Popular Alcoholic Beverages


Alcoholic Beverage	Serving Size	Carb Content (g)	Notes
Pure Distilled Spirits	1.5 oz shot	0	Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, Tequila (unflavored)
Dry Red Wine	5 oz glass	3-5	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir
Dry White Wine	5 oz glass	3-4	Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
Light Beer	12 oz bottle/can	2-6	Varies by brand; check labels
Hard Seltzer	12 oz can	< 2	Varies by brand; check labels
Regular Beer	12 oz bottle	10-15	High in carbs from malted grains
Sweet Wine	5 oz glass	8-20+	Dessert wines, ports, Moscato
Margarita	8 oz serving	20-30+	Loaded with sugary mixers

The Carb Culprit: Sugary Mixers

Even if you choose a zero-carb spirit, your drink can quickly become a high-carb disaster with the wrong mixer. Classic mixers like soda, fruit juices, tonic water, and pre-made cocktail mixes are often loaded with added sugars. A rum and coke, for example, transforms a zero-carb spirit into a drink with over 20 grams of carbs.

To maintain a zero or low-carb drink, opt for these alternatives:

Sugar-free mixers: Diet sodas, sugar-free tonic water, and sugar-free energy drinks are good options.
Water-based mixers: Club soda or sparkling water with a twist of lemon, lime, or other citrus is a classic, carb-free choice.
Herbs and bitters: For more flavor, muddle some mint or add a dash of bitters, which contain minimal carbs.

Conclusion

For those on a keto or low-carb diet, it's entirely possible to enjoy an alcoholic beverage without derailing your progress. The key takeaway is that pure, unflavored distilled spirits are the only truly zero-carb options. When enjoying these, the choice of mixer is paramount to keeping the carb count at zero. While dry wines and light beers offer low-carb alternatives, they do contain some carbs from residual sugars. By being mindful of your choices, especially avoiding sugary cocktails and mixers, you can confidently navigate social drinking while sticking to your dietary goals.

One More Thing: Drink Moderation

Regardless of carb content, it's important to remember that alcohol contains calories and can impact weight loss and overall health. The body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over burning fat, which can temporarily stall weight loss efforts. For more on the impact of alcohol and weight, consult resources like Atkins, which provides detailed nutritional guidance on low-carb and keto alcohol choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pure, unflavored varieties of vodka, gin, whiskey, tequila (100% agave), and rum are all distilled spirits that contain zero carbohydrates.

Yes, dry wines are a good low-carb choice. Varieties like Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Brut champagne contain minimal carbohydrates (3-5 grams per glass). Sweet wines, however, are high in carbs.

The distillation process separates alcohol from the fermented base ingredients, which contain carbs and sugars. These carbs do not vaporize and are left behind, resulting in a pure, carb-free spirit.

For carb-free mixers, opt for club soda, sparkling water, or diet sodas. Adding a twist of citrus like lemon or lime is also carb-free and adds flavor.

Pure, unflavored vodkas have no carbs. However, flavored vodkas often contain added sugars, so it is important to check the nutritional label before consuming them.

Regular beers contain 10-15 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving, while light beers typically contain a much lower 2-6 grams. This reduction is achieved through adjustments in the brewing process.

While most hard seltzers are very low in carbohydrates, they are not always zero. It is best to check the nutritional information for the specific brand and flavor you choose.