Discover the top keto-friendly alcohol choices and mixers for your diet. Explore spirits, wines, low-carb beers, and more. Enjoy keto alcohol
Keto and Alcohol: A Comprehensive Guide to Best and Worst Drinks
Introduction
If you're following a keto diet, you might wonder whether alcohol can still be a part of your lifestyle. The good news is that you can enjoy alcoholic beverages on a keto diet, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. In this ultimate guide, we will explore the best low-carb options for alcohol, discuss the keto-friendly choices you can make, and highlight the drinks to avoid. Whether you're planning a night out with friends or a relaxing evening at home, we've got you covered with the best and worst drinks for your keto journey.
Keto-Friendly Alcohol When it comes to alcohol on a keto diet, the key is to choose beverages that won't kick you out of ketosis. While most alcoholic drinks lack nutrition labels, there are plenty of keto-friendly options to enjoy without compromising your diet.
Spirits Spirits are generally safer options for keto-friendly alcohols. Look for spirits with around 40% alcohol content and avoid those with a sweet taste, as they likely contain more carbs. Some keto-safe spirits include:
Gin (Roku, Hendrick’s, Bombay Sapphire) Vodka (Smirnoff, Absolut, Grey Goose) Whiskey (Haig Club, The Glenlivet, Jameson) Rum (Kraken, Dead Man’s Fingers, Lamb’s) Brandy & Cognac (Soberano, Courvoisier, St-Remy) Tequila (Patrón, Olmeca Altos, Jose Cuervo) When mixing spirits, be cautious about your choice of mixer, as many mixers contain significant amounts of carbs. We'll explore low-carb mixers later in the article.
Wine Yes, you can still enjoy wine on a keto diet, but moderation is essential. Dry wines are more suitable for keto as the fermentation process converts most of the grape sugar into alcohol. Some keto-friendly dry and medium wines include:
Red Wines:
Claret reserve Cote du Rhone Chateauneuf-du-pape Chianti Classico Rosso Rioja Doura Reserva Reserve Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon White Wines:
Dry, Muscadet Sancerre Bianco Moncaro Medium, Pinot Grigio Sauvignon Blanc Chablis Always check the label for the exact carb content, but dry wines generally have lower carb counts compared to sweet wines.
Sparkling Wines Champagne and other sparkling wines can also be enjoyed on a keto diet. Opt for the driest versions (often referred to as Brut) and avoid the sweet ones. Some suitable sparkling wines include Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava, which have approximately 1.45g of carbs per 100ml.
Recommended Keto Wines For specific keto wine options, consider the following brands and products:
Slimline Wine:
These wines are crafted to be zero carbs and delicious, with only 450 calories (60 per glass) per bottle and an alcohol content ranging between 10 and 11 percent. Furlan:
Furlan is an artisan winery located in Conegliano, Northern Italy. Their wines contain less than 10g of carbs per liter, making them suitable for keto dieters.
Furlan Lightly Sparkling Prosecco Brut: Available at Amazon, with 7.5g of carbs per 750ml bottle.
Furlan Prosecco Brut Dry:
Available at Amazon, with 5.25g of carbs per 750ml bottle. Low Carb Beers
While beer is generally high in carbs and not ideal for keto, some brands offer low-carb options that can be consumed in moderation. Here are a few examples of keto-safe beers and lagers:
Bud Light: 3.5% ABV, 9.0g of carbs per 440ml can, 2.0g of carbs per 100ml. Coors Light: 4.0% ABV, 11.88g of carbs per 440ml can, 2.7g of carbs per 100ml. Marston’s Resolution: 4.7% ABV, 3.5g of carbs per 275ml bottle, 1.27g of carbs per 100ml. Michelob Ultra: 3.5% ABV, 2.0g of carbs per 330ml can, 0.6g of carbs per 100ml. SkinnyBrands Lager: 4.0% ABV, 3.0g of carbs per 330ml bottle, 0.91g of carbs per 100ml. K1 Sugar Free Beer: 4.8% ABV, 4.0g of carbs per 330ml bottle, 1.21g of carbs per 100ml. While these beers have fewer carbs than regular ones, they should still be consumed in moderation, as they can add up quickly.
Hard Seltzer Hard seltzer has become increasingly popular among keto enthusiasts due to its low-carb nature. These beverages are alcohol-infused sparkling water and can often be made with sweeteners resulting in virtually zero carbs. Some keto-friendly hard seltzer options include:
Kopparberg Hard Seltzer:
Kopparberg offers a range of hard seltzers that use stevia and aspartame as sweeteners, providing virtually zero carbs. They come in various flavors and have an alcohol content of 5% ABV. Mixed Berries:
Available at Morrisons, Tesco, and other stores. Nutrition per can (330ml): Energy:
92.4 Kcal, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g, Salt: 0.01g. Passion Fruit:
Available at Morrisons, Tesco, and other stores. Nutrition per can (330ml): Energy:
92.4 Kcal, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g, Salt:
0.01g. Black Cherry:
Available at Morrisons, Tesco, and other stores. Nutrition per can (330ml): Energy:
92.4 Kcal, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g, Salt: 0.01g. DRTY Drinks:
DRTY Drinks is another brand of hard seltzer that contains 0 carbs and is only 83 calories per 330ml can. They are available in two flavors and have an alcohol content of 4% ABV. Raspberry Rosé:
Available at Amazon. Nutrition per can (330ml): Energy:
83 Kcal, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g, Salt: <0.01g. White Citrus:
Available at Amazon. Nutrition per can (330ml): Energy:
89 Kcal, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein:
0g, Salt: <0.01g.
With these hard seltzer options, you can enjoy a refreshing and keto-friendly drink without worrying about carb intake.
Alcohol to Avoid While there are plenty of keto-friendly alcohol options, some drinks are best avoided due to their high carb content. Here are some alcoholic beverages that you should skip on a keto diet:
Beer & Cider Beer and cider are generally high in carbs, making them unsuitable for a keto diet. Although some low-carb beer options exist, most regular beers have significant carb counts ranging from 3g to 14g per 330ml serving. Cider is also higher in carbs, starting at around 2g per 100ml.
Sweet / Dessert Wines Wines that still contain residual sugar from grapes are high in carbs and should be avoided. This category includes fortified wines like Port, Sherry, Madeira, and Vermouth. On average, fortified wines contain about 12g of carbs per 100ml, while sweet wines can range from 5.9g to 12g of carbs per 100ml.
Wine Coolers & Alcopops Wine coolers and alcopops are fizzy drinks that contain a lot of sugar, making them completely unsuitable for a keto diet. Pre-mixed drinks found in cans and bottles may also contain high carb counts. Always check the nutrition label before consuming these drinks.
Flavored Alcohol Alcoholic beverages with added flavorings usually contain sugar, making them non-keto-friendly. While the base alcohol may be keto-safe, the added ingredients increase the carb content. Flavored gins and liqueurs often fall into this category. Opt for plain gin or vodka and add your flavorings instead.
Sugary Mixers, Syrups, and Fruit Most mixers contain sugar, which can significantly increase the carb count of your drink. For example, tonic water can contain around 7.4g of carbs per 150ml serving. Instead, look for low-carb or slimline alternatives when mixing your drinks. Additionally, be cautious with drinks mixed with fruit juice, as they are not keto-friendly. However, some no-added-sugar juices, like Tesco's Cranberry, contain less than 1g of carbs per 100ml.
Low Carb Mixers If you prefer to have your keto-friendly alcohol in a longer drink, you can choose from a variety of low-carb mixers. Many popular mixers have diet or zero versions that are sweetened with aspartame or sucralose and are safe for keto. Here are some examples of keto-friendly mixers:
Coke:
Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Max are all keto-safe options sweetened with artificial sweeteners.
Tonic:
Look for low-calorie, light, or slimline tonic counterparts. Some products, like Fever-Tree Naturally Light, still contain 3.8g of carbs per 100ml. Lemonade:
Most brands offer diet versions of lemonade that are low in carbs. Always check the nutrition label, as some may still contain a few grams of carbs per 100ml. Sparkling Water:
Carb-free sparkling water is a great mixer option, as long as it's not flavored or contains added sugar.
Ginger Ale:
Diet versions of ginger ale are available, but some still contain a small amount of carbs, typically less than 1g per 100ml. Keto Alcohol Drink Ideas Now that you have a good understanding of keto-friendly alcoholic beverages and mixers, let's explore some fantastic drink ideas for your keto journey:
Dry Red or White Wine:
Enjoy a glass of your favorite dry wine, such as Claret reserve, Chateauneuf-du-pape, or Chianti Classico. Champagne, Cava, or Prosecco: Celebrate with a glass of sparkling wine without worrying about carb intake. Spirits: Indulge in classic spirits like gin, whiskey, tequila, rum, or vodka. Mixed Drinks for a Night Out: Gin & Slimline Tonic: A refreshing and low-carb option that won't derail your keto diet. Dry Martini: A classic cocktail made with gin and dry vermouth, keto-friendly when prepared without sweeteners. Skinny Bitch: Vodka with diet lemonade for a light and guilt-free drink. Conclusion In conclusion, alcohol can be a part of your keto lifestyle if you choose wisely and consume in moderation. Stick to keto-friendly spirits, dry wines, and low-carb beers, and avoid high-carb options like beer, cider, sweet wines, and flavored alcohols. Be mindful of your mixer choices and opt for low-carb alternatives whenever possible. With a little planning and awareness, you can enjoy a variety of delicious and keto-friendly drinks while staying on track with your diet goals.
Remember that alcohol can affect people differently on a keto diet, so be mindful of your alcohol intake and drink responsibly. Enjoy your keto journey and the occasional keto-friendly drink, but always prioritize your health and safety.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
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