Many keto dieters still want to enjoy social situations when they’re on the diet, and it can be challenging, especially when alcohol is involved. That’s why we put together this list of keto cocktails. With these drinks, you can unwind a little bit while sticking to your diet as closely as possible. We’re going to explore the options of low-carb drinks that you can order the next time you are out with friends.
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Can you actually drink cocktails on keto?
One question that many people have is if you can actually drink alcohol on keto. We dove into this subject in our article about keto wine, but the short answer is that you can enjoy the occasional drink if you keep it low carb. As with most diets, it’s best to avoid alcohol if possible, but if you’re going to drink, low carb cocktails are a good choice.
The reason many people say to avoid alcohol is that it actually gets metabolized first in your body, so you’re essentially pausing the fat burning to let your body process the alcohol. The body wants to get the alcohol out of your system as quickly as possible because it’s actually toxic. That’s why it takes priority in your metabolism.
On top of that, alcohol is known to lower inhibitions and can lead you to making poorer choices when it comes to food. How many of crave carb loaded bar food when we’re drinking?
In general, alcohol should be enjoyed in moderation, and this is no different on the keto diet. The occasion drink won’t hurt you, but try not to over do it.
What makes a cocktail low-carb?
Believe it or not, most liquors tend to be keto friendly. That is because they have been distilled to a high alcohol level, which has converted almost all of the sugar into alcohol. Tequila, vodka, whisky, gin, and even rum (which is made from sugar) have essentially no carbs on their own.
The part you have to be careful with is when you start adding juices, syrups, mixers, and other garnishes to make cocktails. That is where you can get into trouble with high sugar and carb counts. This is why it’s important to know which cocktails to order that are actually keto-friendly. There are some mixers like soda water or diet cola that are low in carb and good go-to options.
What keto-friendly cocktails can I make?
There are actually a few cocktails that can be made sugar-free, and they tend to have the least amount of carbs. Simple cocktails that you can go for are things like a dry martini, vodka-soda, gin and diet tonic, and whisky or rum in diet coke. For other cocktails, you can order them in a low-carb way to help make them fit into your diet. It’s even easier if you decide to make the cocktails at home. Here are some of our choices for keto cocktails.
Skinny Margarita
A skinny margarita made with sugar-free simple syrup, which uses an artificial sweetener like erythritol, is a good option for any one on keto. The good news is that these margaritas are pretty popular, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one.
Vodka Seltzer with Lime
Similar to a vodka tonic, but made without the sugary tonic water. It’s a good option for a low calorie and zero sugar cocktail.
Basil Whiskey Sour
A slight twist on the classic whisky sour. It uses real lemon juice and monk fruit as a sweetener, but still comes in at fewer than 2g of net carbs. A perfect drink for front porch sitting.
Keto Cranberry Mojito
The classic Mojito is keto friendly, but this is a Mojito with a boost of cranberry flavoring. It’s a good balance between tart, sweet, and sparkling. Low in calories and carbs, but high in flavor.
Low Carb Lemon Drop
The lemon drop is a popular cocktail, and this keto version won’t leaving you missing anything. This drink uses a monk fruit simple-syrup, which is one of the best sweeteners for keto dieters.
Keto Spiced Rum Mojito
As you can tell, mojitos are a favorite pick because they are usually low in carbs anyway. This one uses a spiced rum, which gives it a unique flavor profile that is sure to please. It’s sugar free with only 2g of net carbs per serving.
Keto Vodka and Berries
An excellent cocktail for family gatherings around the end of year holiday times. This cocktail made with vodka and berries is a tasty low-carb option. This one has just 2g of net carbs per serving.
Low Carb Hurricane
A Hurricane is a delicious drink, popular for sipping at the beach, but often packed with sugar from fruit juice. This version is made with stevia and a sugar free water enhancer. Making this a good keto friendly option.
Low Carb Paloma
A paloma is a great mix of soda, grapefruit, lime, and tequila. It’s really a fantastic cocktail if you’re the type of person that likes grapefruit. This keto-friendly version is made with sugar-free grapefruit soda and has less than 2g of net carbs.
Keto Rum Punch
Dreaming of sipping a nice rum punch like you’re relaxing on a tropical island? Then you need to try this low carb version. It’s only about 2g of net carbs for a generous 10oz serving.
Keto-friendly Rum and Coke
This one is a simple, go-to classic. One of the easiest recipes to make, but a great sipping drink. This cocktail is basically carb-free since you use rum and a diet cola. Give it a try today.
Keto Moscow Mule
A low-carb version of the Moscow mule with only 3 ingredients. A nice, fizzy drink with sugar-free ginger beer, vodka, and lime juice. This gives you a refreshing keto cocktail with basically no carbs.
Low Carb Cosmopolitan Cocktail
The cosmopolitan, or cosmo, became extremely popular in recent years. This low carb version uses unsweetened cranberry juice and sugar-free sweetener drops. This one comes in at only 3g of net carbs per serving.
Keto-Friendly Daiquiri
There are many options for daiquiris, and they are usually loaded with carbs. However, this version is low in carbs but still has flavor. With only 1 net carbohydrate per serving, you can enjoy a few of these while hanging out by the pool.
Keto Raspberry Gimlet
A low-carb version of a classic gin drink, with an interesting flavor twist. It has only 1g of net carbs per serving. It tastes almost like a raspberry popsicle. Another perfect keto cocktail for you to try.
Keto Manhattan Cocktail
The classic Manhattan made in a keto-friendly style. A few minor modifications make this drink great for the keto diet. This version has less than 1g of net carbs per serving compared to about 9g for the regular drink.
Low Carb Negroni
This negroni tastes almost like cherry wine with citrus over ice. With gin and a little bit of pomegranate juice, you’ll get that flavor with a low carb count. This drink has 3g of carbohydrates per serving.
Keto-friendly Old Fashion
A keto version of this classic drink that really tastes like the original. Simple to prepare and low in carbohydrates. This drink uses a little bit of sugar-free sweetener in place of simple syrup. It only has 2g of net carbs per serving.
Low Carb Sex on the Beach
With 0 net carbs per serving, this cocktail is sure to please. It has a taste similar to the original, but it’s great for the keto diet. Diet cranberry juice and water flavor enhancer make this drink tasty.
Keto Mimosa
A low carb mimosa is the perfect choice for brunch with friends without the carbs. This one has about 5g of carbs per serving, so enjoy in moderation, but go ahead and enjoy.
Low Carb Bloody Mary
This popular tomato juice based drink is often higher in carbs. This low carb twist on the classic Bloody Mary is a great choice for the keto diet. It is a little bit higher in carbs with 6g per serving, so you’re likely going to want to limit yourself to just a single serving.
No Carb Mai Tai
Dreaming of sipping on a Mai Tai while chilling on the beach? This low-carb cocktail will make you feel like you’re on vacation even if you’re not. It has 0g of net carbs per serving, making it an excellent keto cocktail choice.
Keto Dark and Stormy
This delicious rum based drink is made in a keto-friendly way. It’s as low in carbs as possible without sacrificing flavor. Only 1 gram of net carbs per serving for this low -carb cocktail.
Low Carb Long Island Iced Tea
Looking for a strong, keto-friendly cocktail? Look no further than a low carb long island iced tea. This one has no net carbs per serving. Just be careful drinking this one as your alcohol tolerance can be lower on keto.
Conclusion
With any diet, it’s best to avoid alcohol, but if you want to have a drink on keto, these are some great choices. There are several classic cocktails and some new twists that you may enjoy. All of the drinks can be made in a keto-friendly way to help keep your diet on track while you kick back.
