SUBSCRIBE NOW AND SAVE 30% ON YOUR FIRST ORDER

Blog > Keto

What Alcohol Can You Drink On Keto? Go Keto-Friendly Booze

Key Takeaways

  • You can have plain vodka, tequila, dry wine, whiskey, and some fermented alcoholic drinks on a ketosis diet.
  • Make sure to learn about the carb and sugar contents of different alcohols.
  • Drink in moderation and monitor carb intake to not get derailed from your diet.

If you're following a keto diet, you might feel a little left out during social events when everyone is enjoying their favorite drinks, and you're not allowed to. A keto diet is a low-carb and high-fat food and drink that won't spike your insulin levels. The diet works by making the body burn fat for energy instead of glucose.

Drinking alcohol during a keto diet can be a little tricky because the wrong choice can knock you out of ketosis and make you lose the progress you made. However, there are some specific types of alcohol that you can drink while maintaining ketosis.

In this guide, we will explore the types of alcohol you can drink on a keto diet without sabotaging your fitness goals.

Let's dive in.

CookUnity's keto meal delivery service offers the largest selection of mouth-watering keto meals, all prepared by an award-winning chef with a passion for healthy, flavorful cuisine. With our convenient meal delivery service, you can enjoy a delicious variety of ketogenic dishes every day, without the stress or hassle of meal planning and preparation. Trust us to help you maintain a healthy, low-carb lifestyle and achieve your weight loss or wellness goals.

Related: Is Quinoa Keto? The Ultimate Guide to Understanding If Quinoa Is Keto-Friendly

Types of Alcohol to Consume on a Keto Diet

drinks-keto-effect.avif

Thankfully, there are many alcohol options that are low carb, low calorie, and low sugar. Plain tequila, vodka, and beer don't have too much sugar; hence, you can add them to your keto diet routine. But like every food/drink, moderation is the key to not only maintaining your diet but also keeping your health in check.

Mentioned below are a few keto-friendly drinks to have without guilt:

Low-Carb Alcoholic Beverages

Spirits

Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Beverages - Spirits

Pure spirits like gin, whisky, vodka, and tequila are suitable drink choices for people following a keto diet. These drinks are low-calorie and contain zero added sugar and zero carbs. You can drink them plain or mix them with low-carb mixtures like soda water, diet soda, or sugar-free tonic water.

Wine

Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Beverages - Wines

Dry wine varieties, including red, white, and sparkling wine, are also keto-friendly options because they contain more carbs and sugar than dessert wines. For example, 150ml of red wine contains only 3.92g of sugar, and a similar quantity of white wine contains 3.90g of sugar.

However, consume them in limited quantities to ensure your daily sugar and carb consumption don't cross recommended levels. Your dietician can suggest best as to how much you're allowed to have.

Light Beer

Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Beverages - Light Beers

Beer on a keto diet is a controversial topic since it's usually made from grains. However, there are some light beers, such as Corona Premier, Miller Lite, Busch Light, Beck's Premier Light, etc., which are very low on carbs.

Corona Premium contains only 2g carbs and Miller Lite only contains 3.2g carbs, so enjoying these once in a while won't damage your progress.

Cocktails With Low-Carb Mixers

Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Beverages - Cocktails With Low-Carb Mixers

Choosing your mixers wisely while having cocktails is essential. Go for low-carb mixtures like diet soda or plain soda water; sugar-free tonic water and diet cola are suitable options to add to your cocktail. They are very low in calories and contain no carbs or sugar.

360ml diet cola only has 1.04g carbs, making it a great option to mix with other low-calorie alcohol. Similarly, 360ml of diet ginger ale has 0g carbs, another great mixture to add to your cocktail.

Related: Whole30 Diet vs Keto Diet - The Key Differences

Carb Content of Keto-Friendly Alcohols

Here is a table stating the carb content of keto-friendly alcohols:

Alcohol Type 78 kcal Carb Contain
Vodka Serving Size 0g
Tequila 44ml 0g
Rum 44ml 0g
Gin 44ml 0g
Whiskey 44ml 0g
Red wine 44ml 3.92g
White wine 150ml 3.90g

 

Fermented Alcoholic Beverages

Low-carb fermented alcoholic beverages are another great pick that is safe to consume while on a keto diet. Here are some top options to have:

Kombucha

Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Beverages - Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented drink made from black or green tea; however, it's not entirely sugar-free. Fermentation works by converting sugar to alcohol, followed by bacterial fermentation of alcohol to acetic acid.

Please note that depending on the flavor, the sugar content of kombucha may vary. So don't forget to read the ingredient label.

Mead

Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Beverages - Mead

Mead is another fermented beverage made from honey, water, and yeast. It's low in carbs and calories, so having it once in a while during a ketogenic diet should be fine. Like kombucha, there are different flavors of mead available varying in sugar and carb content.

Things To Consider When Drinking Alcohol On Keto

There are a few things to keep in mind when drinking alcohol on keto to ensure you don't accidentally kick yourself out of ketosis.

  • Limit Consumption Overconsumption can be detrimental not only to the diet goals but also to your health. It's best to have not more than a single drink or a maximum of two.

  • Avoid Sugary Mixtures Watch out for sugary mixtures in your drink. Go for either plain alcohol or add only low-sugar and low-carb mixtures like plain soda, diet cola, etc. When drinking at a bar or a party, make sure to give clear instructions to the bartender.

  • Monitor Carb Intake Balance is the key when it comes to maintaining your diet. A keto diet typically allows less than 50g of carbs a day. If you have alcohol, reduce other carb intakes for the day, or only pick alcohols with zero carbs.

Related: What Is Keto Flu and How to Reduce Its Symptoms?

Suitable Drinks On Keto Diet FAQs

1. Does Alcohol Kick You Out Of Ketosis?

No, alcohol doesn't kick you out of ketosis, provided you make the right choice. Drinking zero-carb and sugar alcohols and preventing overconsumption won't harm your progress.

2. Can I Find Low-Carb Alcoholic Drinks In A Can?

Yes, there are low-calorie wines, beer, and sparkling waters that come in a can.

3. Which Keto-Friendly Drinks To Order At A Bar?

You can order a plain vodka soda, plain tequila soda, keto paloma, low-carb margarita, Moscow mule, or a gin martini at a bar.

Related: What Fruits Are Keto-Friendly? 8 Healthy Options

Conclusion

Drinking alcohol in keto requires caution and mindfulness. But it should not be that difficult once you educate yourself about what's suitable and what's not. Go for drinks like plain vodka, whiskey, and tequila, and avoid overconsumption. Moderate drinking and conscious choices won't derail you from your keto diet.

Meet Our Chefs at CookUnity

We are a community of more than 100 chefs from across the country — bringing you a gourmet at-home dining experience you can’t find anywhere else. Try America's #1 chef-crafted ready-to-eat meal delivery service today!