The Ketogenic Diet is a low-carbohydrate method of eating that has helped people lose weight while experiencing other health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and improving mood and energy. So what do people on keto do when they desire a cocktail?
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If you're following a keto diet, there are still plenty of low-carb alcoholic beverages and keto drinks that you may enjoy in moderation. For example, pure forms of liquor, including vodka, rum whiskey, gin, brandy, scotch, and tequila, are entirely carbohydrate-free.
So you can enjoy these liquors straight up (neat), on the rocks, or combined with low-carb mixers for more sophisticated flavors. Dry wines and low-carb beers can also be drunk in moderation on keto.
Per the CDC, a standard alcoholic beverage is equal to 14.0 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol found in:
- 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol content).
- 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content).
- 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content).
- 1.5 ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor (rum, gin, vodka, tequila, brandy, whiskey).
Keto-Friendly Mixers
Low-carb mixers, including sugar-free tonic water, seltzer, diet soda, flavored sugar-free sparkling water, powdered drink packets, and soda water, are all viable mixers for your keto diet.
Additionally, you can use sugar-free syrups to sweeten drinks for fancier flavors. Avoid sugary mixers such as juice, soda, and energy drinks. Here are a handful of popular keto-friendly cocktails found on Reddit.
1. Skinny Mojitos
A Skinny Mojito is a deliciously refreshing alternative to straight liquor. All you need is your preference for white rum, diet 7-UP, lime juice, and fresh mint. Many people agree that Skinny Mojitos are a hit.
2. Keto Frozen Margaritas
For good Frozen Margaritas, you'll need sugar-free lemonade, fresh lime juice, tequila, and ice. Toss into the blender, and voila! You can substitute Smirnoff Orange Vodka if you prefer flavored.
A shot has 0.5 net carbs. Alternatively, Absolut or Burnett's Raspberry vodkas have 0 net carbs per 240ml serving and are acceptable. Because strawberries are moderately allowed as part of a keto diet, tossing a few frozen ones in the blender makes this drink tastier.
3. Keto Lime Margarita on the Rocks
Sipping a traditional lime margarita-flavored drink is doable on keto. All you need is Tequila, soda water, and a dash of lime juice or a squeeze of fresh lime. You can also use Erythritol as a substitute for Triple Sec, but it’s unnecessary.
Salt the rim, and it's a diet margarita! Alternatively, you can use Crystal Light sparkling lime drops or powdered packets to create a refreshing citrus taste. Sugar-free margarita mixers also exist.
4. Keto Orange Creamsicle
To enjoy the delicious taste of an orange creamsicle, you'll need 1.5 ounces of vodka, 2 ounces of heavy whipping cream, a dash (¼ tsp.) of vanilla and orange extracts, and 4 ounces of diet orange soda.
Alternatively, you can skip the soda and orange extract and substitute orange Mio drops and lime Lao Croix sparkling water. Warning: there are conflicting reports online about using whipped cream vodka on keto. However, whipped cream vodka has carbs, so read the labels!
5. Keto Sangria
For a delicious keto spin on Sangria, combine a quarter packet of Fruit Punch Crystal Light with equal parts dry red wine and club soda. Serve over ice, garnish with a few raspberries, and voila, keto-friendly Sangria that tastes like dessert!
6. Keto Lemon Drop Martini
For a simple but refreshing drink, keto-friendly Lemon Drop Martinis are it. It requires a martini shaker for optimal results.
Add vodka, lemon-flavored sugar-free sparkling water, three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a tablespoon of Erythritol or Monk Fruit sweetener. Shake for at least 45 seconds to ensure the sweetener dissolves, and enjoy!
7. Keto Moscow Mule
A keto Moscow Mule is a refreshing cocktail served best in its traditional copper cup. Add ⅛ teaspoon of raw ginger root, a teaspoon of fresh lime juice, and mint leaves (optional), and muddle the ingredients in the cup.
You can use a wooden spoon if you don't have a traditional muddler. Then, add ice, vodka, and a slow pour of lime-flavored sparkling water or seltzer.
Alternatively, people substitute keto-friendly ginger beer instead of lime-flavored sparkling water and raw ginger. Both are keto-friendly options for enjoying an alcoholic beverage without breaking your diet.
Also, check out these Starbucks drinks that won’t break your keto diet!
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