Keto Alcohol: What You Can Drink and What to Avoid
This section breaks down different types of alcohol in a practical way: which drinks are easier to fit into keto, which ones need portion control, and which choices are usually better left out.
What usually works best
- • Straight spirits without added sugar are usually the lowest-carb option.
- • Dry wines are generally more predictable than sweeter styles.
- • Even when carbs are low, serving size still matters a lot.
What is better to limit or skip
- • Beer, dessert wines, and syrup-heavy cocktails can push carbs up fast.
- • Even one drink can take a big share of your daily carb budget.
- • The ingredients and pour size often matter more than the label alone.
Why it still matters
- • Alcohol affects keto through more than carbs alone and can slow ketosis for a while.
- • The same drink can vary quite a bit from one brand to another.
- • What matters in the end is the full combination: type, serving size, and add-ins.
Alcohol drinks in this section
Keto-friendly
9 drinks
Can fit in moderation
3 drinks
Better to avoid
8 drinks
18+ Warning
Alcohol is harmful to your health. Adults 18+ only. Do not drink during pregnancy, with incompatible medication, before driving, or in any situation where alcohol is not appropriate.
Filter by alcohol type
Choose the alcohol type you need.
Popular options
Vodka
Usually okay≈ 0 g / 100 ml
Practically carb-free, though alcohol can still affect ketosis.
Whiskey
Usually okay≈ 0 g / 100 ml
Carb-free, but the amount still matters.
Gin
Usually okay≈ 0 g / 100 ml
Usually fine as long as it is not mixed with sugary drinks.
Dry Red Wine
Usually okay≈ 2.6 g / 100 ml
Usually a steadier choice than sweeter wines.
Dry White Wine
Usually okay≈ 2.4 g / 100 ml
Usually lower in carbs, but portion size still matters.
Brut Champagne
Usually okay≈ 1.5 g / 100 ml
Usually one of the lighter sparkling options when it is a brut style.
Regular Beer
Use caution≈ 3.6 g / 100 ml
Carbs add up quickly, especially in larger servings.
Light Beer
Use caution≈ 1.8 g / 100 ml
Lower in carbs, but it is easy to overdo it on volume.
Non-Alcoholic Beer
Better to avoid≈ 6.1 g / 100 ml
Often higher in carbs than people expect, even when the alcohol is minimal or absent.
Margarita
Better to avoid≈ 8.5 g / 100 ml
Usually made with sugary mixers and syrups.
Mojito
Better to avoid≈ 10 g / 100 ml
Most of the carbs come from the sweet ingredients.
Spirits
6 drinks
Vodka
Usually okay≈ 0 g / 100 ml
Practically carb-free, though alcohol can still affect ketosis.
Whiskey
Usually okay≈ 0 g / 100 ml
Carb-free, but the amount still matters.
Gin
Usually okay≈ 0 g / 100 ml
Usually fine as long as it is not mixed with sugary drinks.
Rum
Usually okay≈ 0 g / 100 ml
Carb-free on its own, but often used in sweet cocktails.
Tequila
Usually okay≈ 0 g / 100 ml
One of the simpler options if you skip syrups and juice mixers.
Brandy
Usually okay≈ 0 g / 100 ml
Very low in carbs, but moderation still matters.
Wine
5 drinks
Dry Red Wine
Usually okay≈ 2.6 g / 100 ml
Usually a steadier choice than sweeter wines.
Dry White Wine
Usually okay≈ 2.4 g / 100 ml
Usually lower in carbs, but portion size still matters.
Brut Champagne
Usually okay≈ 1.5 g / 100 ml
Usually one of the lighter sparkling options when it is a brut style.
Semi-Sweet Wine
Use caution≈ 5.8 g / 100 ml
Carbs are already noticeable here, so portion control matters.
Sweet Wine
Better to avoid≈ 9.8 g / 100 ml
The sugar content makes it a poor fit for keto.
Beer
4 drinks
Regular Beer
Use caution≈ 3.6 g / 100 ml
Carbs add up quickly, especially in larger servings.
Light Beer
Use caution≈ 1.8 g / 100 ml
Lower in carbs, but it is easy to overdo it on volume.
Non-Alcoholic Beer
Better to avoid≈ 6.1 g / 100 ml
Often higher in carbs than people expect, even when the alcohol is minimal or absent.
Craft Beer
Better to avoid≈ 6.2 g / 100 ml
Often higher in carbs than people expect.
Cocktails
5 drinks
Margarita
Better to avoid≈ 8.5 g / 100 ml
Usually made with sugary mixers and syrups.
Mojito
Better to avoid≈ 10 g / 100 ml
Most of the carbs come from the sweet ingredients.
Pina Colada
Better to avoid≈ 14 g / 100 ml
Very high in carbs because of the sweet add-ins.
Whiskey Cola
Better to avoid≈ 10.6 g / 100 ml
Most of the carbs come from the sugary cola.
Vodka Juice
Better to avoid≈ 9.4 g / 100 ml
High in sugar because of the fruit juice.
Alcohol table
A quick comparison of alcohol choices by carbs and keto status.
| Alcohol | Carbs per 100 ml | Keto |
|---|---|---|
Vodka 0 g per 100 ml Usually okay | 0 g per 100 ml | Usually okay |
Whiskey 0 g per 100 ml Usually okay | 0 g per 100 ml | Usually okay |
Gin 0 g per 100 ml Usually okay | 0 g per 100 ml | Usually okay |
Rum 0 g per 100 ml Usually okay | 0 g per 100 ml | Usually okay |
Tequila 0 g per 100 ml Usually okay | 0 g per 100 ml | Usually okay |
Brandy 0 g per 100 ml Usually okay | 0 g per 100 ml | Usually okay |
Dry Red Wine 2.6 g per 100 ml Usually okay | 2.6 g per 100 ml | Usually okay |
Dry White Wine 2.4 g per 100 ml Usually okay | 2.4 g per 100 ml | Usually okay |
Brut Champagne 1.5 g per 100 ml Usually okay | 1.5 g per 100 ml | Usually okay |
Semi-Sweet Wine 5.8 g per 100 ml Use caution | 5.8 g per 100 ml | Use caution |
Sweet Wine 9.8 g per 100 ml Better to avoid | 9.8 g per 100 ml | Better to avoid |
Regular Beer 3.6 g per 100 ml Use caution | 3.6 g per 100 ml | Use caution |
Show 8 more choices
Light Beer 1.8 g per 100 ml Use caution | 1.8 g per 100 ml | Use caution |
Non-Alcoholic Beer 6.1 g per 100 ml Better to avoid | 6.1 g per 100 ml | Better to avoid |
Craft Beer 6.2 g per 100 ml Better to avoid | 6.2 g per 100 ml | Better to avoid |
Margarita 8.5 g per 100 ml Better to avoid | 8.5 g per 100 ml | Better to avoid |
Mojito 10 g per 100 ml Better to avoid | 10 g per 100 ml | Better to avoid |
Pina Colada 14 g per 100 ml Better to avoid | 14 g per 100 ml | Better to avoid |
Whiskey Cola 10.6 g per 100 ml Better to avoid | 10.6 g per 100 ml | Better to avoid |
Vodka Juice 9.4 g per 100 ml Better to avoid | 9.4 g per 100 ml | Better to avoid |
Alcohol calculator
Use the keto alcohol calculator to quickly check a serving and compare drinks.
Also worth checking
If you want to compare alcohol with regular drinks, open the main keto drinks section.
How alcohol affects keto
Even at zero carbs, your body still processes alcohol first, which can temporarily slow fat burning and ketosis.
What to choose
Straight spirits without sugar and dry wines are usually the easiest choices, but portion size still matters.
Common mistakes
The biggest mistakes are ignoring serving size, choosing sugary cocktails, and looking only at carbs instead of the overall alcohol effect.