The lowest-carb alcoholic drinks are plain spirits such as vodka, gin, whiskey and tequila, which contain no carbohydrate, followed by dry wine and light beer. A 150 ml glass of dry wine has about 4 g of carbohydrate, while a 355 ml (12 oz) regular beer has about 13 g, based on USDA FoodData Central. Mixers are often the bigger problem: the same amount of regular cola or tonic water has over 30 g. Remember that no drink is “healthy”: the World Health Organization says no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health.
Carbs in alcoholic drinks
Per typical serving, calculated from USDA FoodData Central values per 100 g:
| Drink | Serving | Carbohydrate | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodka, gin, rum, whiskey (40%) | 44 ml (1.5 oz) shot | 0 g | 97 |
| Dry red wine | 150 ml (5 oz) | 3.9 g | 128 |
| Dry white wine | 150 ml (5 oz) | 3.9 g | 123 |
| Light beer | 355 ml (12 oz) | 5.8 g | 103 |
| Regular beer | 355 ml (12 oz) | 12.6 g | 153 |
| Regular cola (as a mixer) | 355 ml (12 oz) | 36.9 g | 149 |
| Tonic water (as a mixer) | 355 ml (12 oz) | 31.2 g | 121 |
Serving sizes and strengths vary a lot, so check labels where you can. Sweet wines, ciders, alcopops, liqueurs and cocktails are usually much higher in sugar.
Keto-friendlier choices
- Spirits with a zero-carb mixer: vodka and soda water with lime, gin with diet tonic, whiskey with water.
- Dry wine: a small glass of dry red, white or sparkling wine (look for “brut” or “extra brut”).
- Light beer in place of regular beer, if you drink beer.
- Alcohol-free options: sparkling water with lime or cucumber, or alcohol-free versions of beer and spirits, many of which are low in carbohydrate. Check the label.
Drinks to avoid on keto
- Regular beer, ale and stout
- Cider and alcopops
- Sweet and dessert wines, port and sherry
- Liqueurs and cream liqueurs
- Cocktails made with juice, syrups or regular soda
- Regular tonic water, cola, lemonade and juice as mixers
Our keto food list covers other drinks.
Calories still count
Alcohol itself provides 7 calories per gram, close to the 9 in fat, as the NHS points out. A zero-carb drink is not a zero-calorie drink. The NHS gives examples: a standard 175 ml glass of 12% wine has up to 158 calories, and a pint of 5% beer up to 222. Our guide to calories in alcohol compares more drinks.
Safety: alcohol, keto and blood sugar
Alcohol can lower blood sugar, and very low-carbohydrate eating can add to that risk in people taking certain medicines. Diabetes UK explains that people who use insulin or sulfonylureas are more likely to have a hypo (low blood sugar) after drinking, and that the risk can last up to 24 hours. A 2026 review of keto’s contraindications also flags insulin and sulfonylureas as needing care on keto.
If you take diabetes medicines:
- Talk to your doctor about alcohol before starting keto.
- Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
- Check your blood sugar before bed and the next morning if your doctor advises it.
- Make sure someone with you knows the signs of a hypo, which can look like being drunk.
Whatever diet you follow, drink slowly, keep track of what you’ve had, and never drink and drive.
How much is too much?
The WHO states that no level of drinking is safe for health. If you do drink, the NHS advises not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days. One unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol, and a 175 ml glass of 12% wine is about 2.1 units.
Don’t drink alcohol at all if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, are under the legal drinking age, take medicines that interact with alcohol, or have been advised not to by your doctor.
Tips for drinking less on keto
- Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water or soda water.
- Choose a small glass or a single measure.
- Decide on your limit before you go out.
- Have several alcohol-free days each week.
- Try alcohol-free beers and spirits, many of which are low in carbohydrate.
Before you start
Safety note: A ketogenic diet isn’t safe for everyone. Don’t start one without medical supervision if you have type 1 diabetes, take insulin or other diabetes medicines (especially SGLT2 inhibitors such as empagliflozin or dapagliflozin), take medicine for high blood pressure, have kidney, liver, pancreas or gallbladder disease, are underweight or have had an eating disorder, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Children should only follow keto as a medical treatment run by a specialist team. A 2026 review of keto’s contraindications lists these and other situations that need care, so talk to your doctor first if any apply to you.
Common questions
Will one drink kick me out of ketosis?
A glass of dry wine or a spirit with soda water adds little or no carbohydrate, so it’s unlikely to on its own. But alcohol adds calories and can make it harder to stick to your plan, so keep it occasional.
Is hard seltzer keto?
Many hard seltzers are low in carbohydrate, but recipes vary. Check the label for carbohydrate and sugar per can.
Is zero-alcohol beer keto?
Some are low in carbohydrate and some aren’t. Alcohol-free beers often have fewer calories than regular beer, but check the carbohydrate on the label.
What snacks go with drinks on keto?
Olives, cheese, nuts, small amounts of salami or ham, and vegetable sticks with a dip are all low in carbohydrate. Our keto food list has more.
Does alcohol affect sleep?
Alcohol can make you feel sleepy, but many people find they sleep less well after drinking. If you’re tired on keto, cutting back on evening drinks is worth trying.
Is red wine better than white on keto?
They’re very similar, at about 2.6 g of carbohydrate per 100 ml for both, based on USDA values. Choose whichever you prefer, and keep the glass small.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before making big changes to how you eat, especially if you have a health condition, take regular medication, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
