20 Keto Alcoholic Drinks And Low Carb Cocktails Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it perfectly balances a refreshing minty lime flavor with the smooth kick of vodka, making it my go-to for a relaxed evening or a lively get-together. Plus, the addition of diet tonic water keeps it light and guilt-free, so I can enjoy every sip without the extra calories.

I enjoy making cocktails that are as low in carbs as they are refreshing. Take, for instance, a classic gin and dry vermouth.

Or consider a vodka-based concoction with fresh lime juice and diet tonic water. Whether you prefer these drinks straight up or on the rocks, they’re suitable for anyone on a low-carb diet.

Ingredients like vodka, gin, tequila, and bourbon deliver plenty of flavor without any negative dietary impact. My favorite keto cocktail is a rum mojito made with fresh mint and lime.

The drink has a zesty profile that straddles the line between a refreshing beverage and a dessert cocktail. I could sip it all day.

Ingredients

Vodka contains few carbohydrates, has a neutral taste, and is a versatile base.

Gin is a classic cocktail base.

It is a distilled beverage that is infused with a variety of botanicals.

Unlike most distilled spirits, gin contains no carbohydrates.

Juice of Lime: Flavor tart, source of vitamin C, enhances freshness.

Mint leaves: Scented, soothing, and supremely refreshing.

Vermouth, when dry, is an aromatic liquid with a low sugar content that works well with gin.

Bourbon: Flavor that is rich, moderate in carbs, and with a traditional aftertaste.

Bitters: Intensifies flavor, adds complexity, and contains no carbohydrates.

Rum: Low-carb, sweet notes.

Low-carb, indeed, but not quite as low as you might think.

Distilled from sugarcane, dried sugarcane, or other sugar materials, rum has some natural sweetness that’s evident even before you taste it.

I get this whole “diabetes” thing that’s driving a lot of low-carb thinking, but the reason low-carb diets work for some people is that when you’re restricted to eating only certain foods, you’re also restricted to eating only 10 million combinations of them.

And that helps to lower your blood sugar.

I’m not a doctor, and I don’t play one on the internet, but it seems to me that the more you tweak your diet and your booze in the direction of the keto-crazed, the weirder the whole situation gets.

Tequila:
Crafted from the humble blue agave, this spirit is the one with the fewest carbs and the most pronounced earthiness.

Espresso: Strong taste, few calories, jolt of caffeine.

Whiskey: Strong taste, minimal sweetness, age-induced subtleties.

Raspberries are low in sugar and high in antioxidants with a natural sweetness.

They are an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of fiber.

Plus, they’re simply lovely; delicate and beautiful, and so good for you.

Juice from a grapefruit: Refreshingly tart and loaded with Vitamin C.

Basil Leaves: Scented, anti-inflammatory, and having a delicious flavor, basil is often used in Italian cuisine.

Sweetener with No Sugar: Has no calories, makes things sweet.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz diet tonic water
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 5 mint leaves
• Ice cubes

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz dry vermouth
• Olive for garnish

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 sugar cube (optional)
• Orange peel for garnish

• 2 oz light rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz club soda
• Mint sprig for garnish

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 oz zero-carb margarita mix
• Salt for rimming (optional)

• 2 oz whiskey
• 1 tsp erythritol (optional)
• 4 dashes bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz coconut cream (unsweetened)
• 1 oz pineapple-flavored seltzer
• Pineapple slice for garnish (optional)

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee-flavored liqueur (sugar-free)
• 1 shot espresso
• Coffee beans for garnish

• 2 oz spiced rum
• 1 oz ginger beer (diet)
• 1 lime wheel for garnish

• 2 oz vodka
• 10 blueberries
• 1 oz lemon juice
• Sparkling water, to top

• 2 oz gin
• 3 cucumber slices
• 1 oz lime juice
• Mint leaves for garnish

• 2 oz whiskey
• 1 shot espresso
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Cinnamon stick for garnish

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 raspberries
• 1 oz lemon juice
• Sparkling water, to top

• 2 oz aged rum
• 1 oz diet cola
• 1 lime wedge for garnish

• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
• Club soda, to top
• Salt for rimming

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 5-6 basil leaves
• Club soda, to top

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz orange-flavored sparkling water
• Ice

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 tbsp sugar-free sweetener
• 1 oz lemon juice
• Club soda, to top

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz elderflower tonic water (diet)
• 1 lime wheel

• 2 oz whiskey
• 5 mint leaves
• 1 oz lemon juice
• Club soda, to top

Instructions

1. Minty Lime Vodka Tonic
In a shaker, muddle 5 leaves of mint with 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice. Add 2 oz vodka and ice cubes, then shake well. Strain into an ice-filled glass. Top with 1 oz diet tonic water.

2. Classic Gin Martini
Mix 2 oz gin and 1 oz dry vermouth in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until very cold, then strain into a martini glass that has been chilled. Garnish with an olive.

3. Bourbon Old Fashioned
In a glass, you can muddle an optional sugar cube with 4 dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of water. Then, add ice, 2 oz bourbon, and stir. Finally, garnish with an orange peel.

4. Light Rum Mojito
In a glass, muddle a mint sprig with 1 oz fresh lime juice. Fill the glass with ice and pour in 2 oz of light rum. Add 1 oz of club soda to the glass and stir gently.

5. Tequila Margarita
If desired, salt the rim of a glass. Combine in a shaker 2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, and 1 oz Margarita mix. (The zero-carb version is my favorite.) Fill with ice, shake well, and strain into the glass.

6. Whiskey Sour
Combine 2 oz whiskey, 1 tsp optional erythritol, and 1 oz lemon juice with ice in a shaker. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange peel.

7. Piña Colada Spritz
In a jigger, measure 2 oz of white rum. And 1 oz of coconut cream. Combine in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with 1 oz of pineapple-flavored seltzer, and garnish with a fresh pineapple slice, if desired.

8. Espresso Vodka Martini
In a shaker, mix together 2 oz of vodka, 1 oz of coffee-flavored liqueur, and 1 shot of espresso. Fill the shaker with ice, shake well, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans.

9. Spiced Rum Mule
Combine 2 oz of spiced rum and 1 oz of diet ginger beer in a glass over ice. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wheel.

10. Blueberry Vodka Fizz
Combine 10 blueberries and 1 oz of lemon juice in a shaker. Add 2 oz of vodka and ice; shake vigorously and strain into a glass over fresh ice. Top with sparkling water.

Equipment Needed

1. Cocktail shaker
2. Muddler
3. Jigger (for measuring ingredients)
4. Ice cube tray
5. Strainer
6. Mixing glass
7. Martini glass
8. Old fashioned glass
9. Highball glass
10. Citrus juicer (for fresh lime and lemon juice)
11. Bar spoon (for stirring)
12. Knife (for cutting garnishes)
13. Cutting board
14. Glass rimmer (optional, for salting the rim)
15. Spoon (for scooping coconut cream)

FAQ

• What makes these cocktails keto-friendly?These cocktails are suitable for a ketogenic diet because they utilize mixer options and sweeteners that are low in carbs, such as tonic water without sugar, ginger beer without sugar, and erythritol, which is a type of sugar alcohol.
• Can I substitute alcohol types in the recipes?Certainly, you can swap out the types of alcohol, but it will alter the cocktail’s flavor profile. Just ensure that what you’re using is also low in carbs.
• What can I use instead of sugar in these recipes?Use sugar-free sweeteners such as erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit extract to maintain the drinks’ low-carb status.
• Is there a non-alcoholic version for these cocktails?To create versions of the drinks that are free of alcohol, you can use spirits that don’t have any alcohol in them, or you can mix together the non-alcoholic components of the drinks—along with a splash of some sort of flavored seltzer, for excellent results.
• What is the purpose of garnishes in cocktails?Garnishing is principally about presentation. A well-garnished drink not only looks wonderful but also (and here’s where it gets interesting) can also smell and taste even better. How’s that? Well, it’s not just the flavor of the base liquor, modifiers, and bitters. It’s also the (subtle) flavor (or many flavors) of the garnish that goes into the balance of the drink.
• Can I use fresh fruit in these cocktails?However, you can use fresh fruit. Just keep in mind the carb content to maintain the drink’s keto-friendly status, particularly when using riper, sweeter fruits.
• How should I prepare the herbs used in these cocktails?Gently bruise herbs like mint or basil to let loose their essential oils and heighten the fragrance and taste of your beverage.

Substitutions and Variations

Vodka: Replace with gin or silver tequila.
Lime Juice: Replace with lemon juice for a contrasting citrus flavor.
Club Soda: Use sparkling water or tonic water (diet).
Basil Leaves: When fresh mint isn’t available, basil leaves can easily substitute in most recipes calling for mint. One reason: Fresh basil is an herbal wonder that shares the same flavor compounds as mint. Another reason: All the Mediterranean dishes that use basil as a principal flavoring agent also pair well with the lighter bodied, bright taste of fresh mint.
Bourbon: Use in place of whiskey for a slightly different flavor profile.

Pro Tips

1. Minty Lime Vodka Tonic Use fresh mint leaves to ensure a vibrant mint flavor. Gently muddle the mint to release the aromas without tearing the leaves, which can result in a bitter taste.

2. Classic Gin Martini Keep all your ingredients and glassware chilled. This helps maintain the crispness and purity of the flavors. Don’t over-stir; 30 seconds is usually perfect to avoid diluting the drink.

3. Bourbon Old Fashioned Express the oils from the orange peel by squeezing it over the glass before placing it inside. This adds a burst of citrus aroma with each sip.

4. Light Rum Mojito Use a fine mesh strainer to remove any mint bits when pouring the rum into the glass. This keeps the drink smooth and centered on the rum and lime flavors.

5. Espresso Vodka Martini Ensure the espresso is freshly brewed and chilled before mixing; hot espresso can melt the ice too quickly. For a foamy top, shake the ingredients vigorously.