Which Cocktails Are Keto Friendly and How to Make Them

November 13, 2025 •

5 min read

Over 7% of Americans claim to follow a keto diet, but many are still unaware of which popular cocktails contain hidden sugars. Discovering which cocktails are keto friendly allows you to enjoy a flavorful alcoholic beverage without compromising your dietary goals.

Quick Summary

Pure distilled spirits are zero-carb, but mixers and sugary liqueurs turn many classic cocktails into high-carb drinks. Choosing sugar-free mixers, low-carb garnishes, and specific dry wines are key to making delicious, keto-friendly cocktails. Learn the swaps and recipes for popular drinks like margaritas, mojitos, and more.

Key Points

Start with Zero-Carb Spirits: Choose pure, distilled liquors like vodka, gin, tequila, and rum as the base for your cocktails to ensure a low-carb start.
Choose Low-Carb Mixers: Swap sugary mixers like juice and regular tonic for club soda, diet tonic, or flavored seltzer water.
Use Fresh Flavors: Enhance drinks with a squeeze of fresh citrus and muddled herbs like mint or basil for flavor without adding carbs.
Try Sugar-Free Sweeteners: Use liquid or granulated keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit to replace simple syrup.
Opt for Dry Wine: Dry wines like Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are your best wine options, containing fewer carbs per glass than sweeter varieties.
Moderation is Key: Be mindful of your intake, as excessive alcohol consumption can still impact your metabolism and pause ketosis.

For those following a ketogenic diet, navigating the world of cocktails can be challenging. Many popular mixed drinks are loaded with sugary syrups, fruit juices, and high-carb sodas that can quickly disrupt ketosis. The key to enjoying a cocktail while on keto lies in understanding which ingredients to use and which to avoid. By focusing on zero-carb spirits and replacing traditional mixers with low-carb or sugar-free alternatives, you can craft delicious and refreshing drinks that fit your lifestyle.

The Foundation of Keto Cocktails: Spirits and Mixers

Pure, distilled spirits like vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey contain zero carbohydrates, making them the perfect starting point for any keto cocktail. The carb count begins to rise when you introduce mixers and other ingredients. To keep your drink keto-friendly, you must be meticulous with your additions.

Keto-Friendly Spirits

Vodka: Versatile and carb-free, it’s the base for countless low-carb concoctions.
Gin: Also zero-carb, offering botanical notes that pair well with sugar-free mixers.
Tequila (100% agave): A great option for margaritas and other citrusy cocktails, provided you use the right mixers.
Whiskey/Bourbon: Can be enjoyed on the rocks or with a keto-friendly mixer.
Rum (unflavored): Best for recreating classic mojitos without the sugar.

Low-Carb Mixers and Flavorings

Choosing the right mixer is the most important step for a keto-friendly cocktail. Ditch the sugary sodas, juices, and tonic water in favor of these low-carb alternatives:

Club Soda or Seltzer Water: The ultimate zero-carb filler for a light and bubbly texture.
Diet Tonic Water: A must-have for a keto gin and tonic, as regular tonic is very high in sugar.
Fresh Citrus Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime or lemon adds a lot of flavor for minimal carbs.
Sugar-Free Syrups: Use liquid stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit sweeteners to replicate the sweetness of simple syrup.
Flavored Sparkling Water: Brands like LaCroix or Bubbly can add flavor without sugar.
Herbs and Spices: Fresh mint, basil, rosemary, and bitters are all excellent, carb-free flavor enhancers.
Orange Extract: A tiny amount can stand in for orange liqueur in recipes like a margarita.

Popular Keto-Friendly Cocktail Recipes

Keto Margarita

Forget the syrupy, high-sugar mixes. This recipe provides a tangy, refreshing taste with very few carbs.

2 oz 100% agave tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz sugar-free simple syrup
Ice
Salt for the rim (optional)
Instructions: Rim a glass with salt. Combine tequila, lime juice, and sugar-free syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into your glass.

Vodka Soda with a Twist

This is a classic for a reason: it’s simple, clean, and completely keto. The key is adding fresh flavor with a squeeze of citrus.

2 oz vodka
4 oz club soda
Wedge of fresh lemon or lime
Instructions: Fill a glass with ice. Add vodka and club soda. Squeeze in the juice from a fresh citrus wedge. Garnish with the wedge and enjoy.

Keto Mojito

A muddled, minty classic that is easy to make keto-friendly by swapping out the sugar.

2 oz white rum
6-8 fresh mint leaves
1/2 fresh lime, quartered
1 oz sugar-free simple syrup
Club soda
Instructions: Muddle the mint leaves, lime quarters, and sugar-free syrup in a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice, add the rum, and top with club soda. Stir gently.

Skinny Old Fashioned

For whiskey lovers, a classic Old Fashioned can be adapted to be low-carb with a few simple tweaks.

2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
Few drops of liquid keto-friendly sweetener (like stevia)
Ice
Instructions: Combine the whiskey, bitters, and sweetener in a glass with ice. Stir until chilled. Garnish with an orange peel.

Comparison of Standard vs. Keto Cocktails


Feature	Standard Margarita	Keto Margarita	Standard Mojito	Keto Mojito
Base Spirit	Tequila	Tequila (100% agave)	Rum	Rum
Sweetener	Agave syrup, orange liqueur	Sugar-free syrup, orange extract	Sugar	Sugar-free syrup
Mixer	Sweet & Sour Mix, Juice	Fresh lime juice, water	Soda, lime juice	Club soda, fresh lime
Carb Count	20-30g+	~2g	20g+	~2g
Primary Flavors	Sweet, citrus	Tangy, citrus	Sweet, minty	Tangy, minty

Conclusion

Enjoying cocktails while on a ketogenic diet doesn’t have to be a forbidden pleasure. By being mindful of your ingredients and making smart swaps, you can create delicious and refreshing drinks that support your health goals. Focusing on zero-carb spirits and replacing sugary mixers with sugar-free alternatives or fresh ingredients is the key. Whether you prefer a classic vodka soda or a more complex concoction like a keto margarita, you can find a satisfying option. Always remember that moderation is key, as alcohol can still impact your metabolism and potentially hinder ketosis. So, mix responsibly and savor your keto-friendly creation.

For more information on the effects of alcohol on the keto diet, you can refer to authoritative sources such as Healthline.

Expert Tips for Keto Cocktail Creation

Mindful Consumption: Prioritize enjoying low-carb drinks in moderation, as even keto-friendly alcohol can temporarily stall ketosis.

Avoid Hidden Carbs: Be wary of flavored liquors, as they often contain added sugars and sweeteners that can increase the carb count.

Quality Mixers: Opt for sugar-free mixers like diet tonic or seltzer water, and enhance flavors with fresh citrus and herbs instead of syrups.

DIY Simple Syrup: Make your own sugar-free simple syrup with water and a keto-friendly sweetener to control ingredients and avoid hidden carbs.

Dry Wine Alternatives: Consider dry wines like Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon, which typically have fewer carbs per serving compared to sweeter varieties.

Hydrate Wisely: Drink plenty of water alongside your cocktails to stay hydrated and mitigate potential effects on your metabolism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: Can I have a regular gin and tonic on the keto diet? Answer: No, a standard gin and tonic is not keto-friendly because regular tonic water contains a high amount of sugar, with about 32 grams of carbs per 12 oz. You must use a diet tonic water to keep it low-carb.

Question: Are hard seltzers keto-friendly? Answer: Many hard seltzers, like White Claw and Michelob Ultra seltzers, are low in carbs, typically containing 1-3 grams per can. Always check the label, as some brands have higher carb counts.

Question: What should I look for when buying spirits for a keto diet? Answer: Look for unflavored, pure distilled spirits. These include vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey, which all contain zero carbs. Avoid flavored or premixed products, as they can contain hidden sugars.

Question: Can I still have an Old Fashioned on keto? Answer: Yes, but you need to make a keto-friendly version. The traditional sugar cube and simple syrup should be replaced with a few drops of a liquid keto sweetener, such as stevia.

Question: What's a good low-carb alternative to a Moscow Mule? Answer: You can easily make a keto Moscow Mule by swapping traditional ginger beer with diet ginger ale or sugar-free ginger beer. Some recipes also use a flavored seltzer.

Question: How can I sweeten a cocktail without sugar? Answer: Use keto-friendly liquid sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit drops. For a simple syrup, dissolve a granular keto sweetener (like erythritol) in hot water and let it cool.

Question: Is wine allowed on the keto diet? Answer: Some dry wines are acceptable in moderation, as they contain 3-5 grams of carbs per glass. Stick to dry reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and dry whites like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Avoid sweeter dessert wines.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a standard gin and tonic is not keto-friendly because regular tonic water is high in sugar, containing about 32 grams of carbs per 12 ounces. You must use a diet tonic water to keep the drink low-carb.

Many hard seltzers, including brands like White Claw and Michelob Ultra seltzers, are low in carbs, typically with 1-3 grams per can. However, it is essential to always check the nutritional label, as some brands may contain higher carb counts.

When on a keto diet, you should look for unflavored, pure distilled spirits. This includes vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey, which all contain zero carbs. Avoid any flavored or pre-mixed products, as these are often sweetened and loaded with hidden sugars.

Yes, you can have a keto-friendly version of an Old Fashioned. The main adjustment is replacing the traditional sugar cube or simple syrup with a few drops of a liquid keto-approved sweetener, such as stevia. Using bitters and an orange peel for flavor keeps it classic without the carbs.

For a keto Moscow Mule, you can swap traditional ginger beer with diet ginger ale or a sugar-free ginger beer option. This simple substitution keeps the signature ginger flavor while drastically reducing the carb count.

You can use keto-friendly liquid sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit drops to add sweetness. You can also make a simple syrup by dissolving a granulated keto sweetener (like erythritol) in hot water and letting it cool.

Some dry wines are acceptable in moderation for the keto diet, as they typically contain only 3-5 grams of carbs per glass. Good choices include dry reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and dry whites such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. You should avoid sweeter wines like Moscato and dessert wines.

There are several ready-to-drink options that are low-carb, including brands like Canteen and Cutwater, which offer zero-carb vodka sodas. Always check the labels for carb and sugar content, as products can vary.