If you’re watching your carb intake, alcohol can feel like a gray area. Some drinks fit easily into a low-carb lifestyle, while others quietly add as many carbs as a full meal. The difference usually isn’t the alcohol itself, but everything that comes with it.

This guide breaks down alcohol with low carbs by drink type, so you can make informed choices whether you’re at a bar, a dinner party, or planning drinks at home. 

Nutritional values in this article are estimated using data from the USDA FoodData Central, supplemented by standard serving sizes and widely used nutrition databases for mixed dishes and beverages. However, there may be differences between brands, especially for pre-mixes. 

Shots and highballs: the lowest-carb place to start

If you’re looking for low-carb alcoholic drinks, shots and highballs are the most reliable options.

Distilled spirits contain zero carbohydrates after the distillation process. This includes vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey, and rum. A standard 1.5-ounce shot contains 0 grams of carbs.

Highballs pair these spirits with a non-sugary mixer. When combined with soda water, sparkling water, or ice, the total carb content stays negligible.

Reliable low-carb choices include vodka soda with lime, gin and soda, tequila with soda and citrus, and whiskey on the rocks.

Carbs can creep in when adding tonic water, ginger ale, juice, or regular soda. Even one pour of juice can add close to 20 grams of carbs to an otherwise carb-free drink.

Cocktails: where carb counts vary the most

Cocktails are where carb intake becomes unpredictable. The base spirit may contain no carbs, but syrups, juices, and liqueurs add sugar quickly.

Approximate carb counts per standard serving:

• Dry martini: 0 g

• Bloody Mary: ~7 g

• Gin and tonic: ~15 g

• Cosmopolitan: ~16 g

• Rum and cola: ~18 g

• White Russian: ~27 g

• Margarita: ~38 g

If you enjoy cocktails, the lowest-carb approach is choosing spirit-forward drinks, asking for soda water instead of tonic, and skipping or reducing simple syrup.

Liqueur carb counts

Liqueurs are sweetened spirits, which makes them one of the highest-carb alcohol categories. Even small amounts can use up most of a low-carb allowance.

All values below are per 1.5 ounces:

Lower-carb liqueurs

• B & B (brandy and Bénédictine): 8 g

• Kirsch: 9 g

• Grand Marnier: 10 g

• Bailey’s Irish Cream: 11 g

• Campari: 12 g

Mid-range carb liqueurs

• Cointreau: 15 g

• Triple sec: 16 g

• Ouzo: 16 g

• Sambuca: 17 g

• Crème de cassis: 17 g

Higher-carb liqueurs

• Crème de menthe: 21 g

• Crème de cacao: 22 g

• Coffee liqueur (Kahlúa): 24 g or more

• Amaretto: 25 g

This is why liqueur-based cocktails often end up being the most carb-dense drinks on the menu.

Beer: possible, but limited on low-carb diets

Beer contains carbohydrates from fermented grains, which makes it harder to fit into a low-carb plan.

Typical ranges:

• Regular beer: ~12–15 g carbs per 12 oz

• Craft beers and stouts: 15–25 g or more

• Light beers: ~2–5 g

Beer can still fit occasionally, but portion size matters more here than with spirits or wine.

Wine: choosing lower-carb styles

Wine contains carbohydrates from residual sugar left after fermentation. Drier wines generally contain fewer carbs.

Lower-carb options, per 5 ounces, include dry champagne, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, chardonnay, pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon, typically ranging from 2.5 to 4 grams of carbs.

Sweeter wines like Riesling, Muscat, dessert wines, and late-harvest varieties can range from 8 to 20 grams per glass.

Alcohol, carbs, and keto

If you’re following a ketogenic diet, alcohol with low carbs can still fit, but moderation matters. Alcohol temporarily pauses fat-burning while your body metabolizes it.

Spirits with soda water and dry wines in small amounts tend to be the most keto-compatible options. Liqueurs, sweet cocktails, and beer are more likely to disrupt ketosis.

For a deeper explanation of how alcohol interacts with ketosis, see our Ketogenic Diet 101 guide.

Is there a “healthiest” alcohol choice?

No alcohol actively improves health, but lower-carb, lower-sugar drinks tend to be easier on blood sugar and calorie intake. Alcohol can still affect sleep, appetite, and recovery, even when carbs are low.

If weight management is part of your goal, it helps to understand the broader effects of drinking and weight gain. 

You may also want to compare carb counts with calorie counts in lowest calorie alcohol drinks.

When skipping alcohol makes sense

There are times when not drinking is the easier choice, especially if you’re prioritizing sleep, recovery, or metabolic health. If you have trouble stopping after just one drink or you’re finding any negative impacts from alcohol consumption, it’s important to consider abstaining and enlisting support from a professional.

For social occasions where you still want something festive, holiday mocktail recipes offer flavorful, lower-sugar alternatives.

Bottom line

Low-carb drinking does not always mean avoiding alcohol altogether. If you choose to drink, it’s important to understand which drinks contain carbs and to choose intentionally.  When you know which drinks stay low and which ones stack carbs quickly, it’s easier to enjoy alcohol without overthinking every sip.

FAQ

What alcohol has the least amount of carbs?

Distilled spirits like vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey, and rum contain zero carbs when consumed without sugary mixers.

What alcohol is ok with keto?

Spirits with soda water and dry wines in small amounts are the most keto-friendly options.

What is the healthiest alcohol to drink?

There’s no healthiest option, but lower-carb, lower-sugar drinks consumed in moderation are generally easier to fit into health-focused diets.

Can I have alcohol on a low-carb diet?

Yes, in moderation. Choosing low-carb alcoholic drinks and limiting sugary mixers allows alcohol to fit without undoing your efforts.