Alcohol is a staple of social gatherings and celebrations, but why is it that we seem to enjoy drinking so much? Well, with so many different types of alcohol, there is bound to be a beverage that is suitable for any event. Whether you’re looking to go for an afternoon drink with your friends or for a nightcap with your spouse after dinner, there is a drink for you.
Alcohol is one of the most heavily abused substances in the world. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, alcohol is the most widely used drug in the world, and is responsible for 2.8% of all the deaths worldwide. This statistic shows that alcohol is more dangerous than any other drug, and that the risks far outweigh the benefits it provides. However, not every alcoholic drinks alcohol in an unhealthy way. Although it may seem difficult, there is a way to drink alcohol without facing any problems.
As a ketogenic dieter, you’re probably familiar with the popular low carb alcoholic beverages like wine, beer, and hard liquors. But what if you’re not a fan of those beverages? Or, what if you’re looking to try something that’s completely keto alcohol-free?. Read more about keto cocktails and let us know what you think.
Keto sweets, new takeaway choices, and keto alcohol have made going low-carb simpler than ever before. There are many keto alcohol choices to select from, whether you’re heading out for happy hour with friends or simply enjoying a drink with supper.
Before you ask for the cocktail menu, there are a few things you should know. We’ll go through the best and worst keto alcohol choices in this article, as well as some simple recipes you may create at home.
Let’s get the science out of the way before we begin. The more you know about ketosis, the simpler it will be to make wise choices.
The Science of Keto and Alcohol
Keto alcohol, such as hard liquor and spirits like rum and vodka, will not knock you out of ketosis, but they will have an effect on your fat burning and ketosis.
The liver produces ketones using fat as fuel, but in the presence of a toxin like alcohol, the liver must switch to detox mode. In order to maintain generating ketones and rid your body of the poisonous chemical, it will switch to utilizing alcohol for energy. This implies you’ll still be in ketosis, but you won’t be using fat as a source of energy.
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It’s also worth noting that alcohol isn’t calorie-free. Because one gram of alcohol includes seven calories, consider all of the benefits and drawbacks before proceeding.
Tolerance to Alcohol on the Keto Diet
When you and your pals go out for pizza and beer, the carbohydrates in the pizza absorb part of the alcohol in your system, resulting in a slower buzz. Because there is less glucose in the circulation when you follow a keto diet, the alcohol goes directly to the liver to be metabolized, resulting in a more faster intoxication.
On a keto diet, it’s normal to have a reduced tolerance for alcohol, therefore many individuals find they need to restrict their alcohol consumption or start slowly.
Keto-Alcohol-Induced Hangovers
You’re correct if you believe the hangovers are worse on keto. Both the keto diet and alcohol have a diuretic impact on the body, meaning they cause the body to flush out all of the water it has accumulated. Goodbye, dehydration.
Electrolytes are important for things like brain fog, energy, and muscular cramping, but they’ll also assist with hangovers if you’re on a keto diet. To ensure that you remain hydrated, we suggest taking electrolytes before and after you consume alcohol.
If you’re still concerned about the hangover and want to reduce the negative effects, eat some additional carbohydrates before you drink. Extra carbohydrates will keep you out of ketosis, but it’s a trade-off you may be willing to accept.
Options for Keto Alcohol
The following spirits are all zero-carb, making them excellent keto choices. Just keep in mind that they’re not zero-calorie, and if you’re combining them, go for sugar-free alternatives.
- Vodka
- Rum
- Tequila
- Gin
- Whiskey
- Rye
- Scotch
Alcoholic Keto Mixers
You’ll most likely mix with diet soda or water at a bar or restaurant, but there are a plethora of sparkling waters and keto mixers to select from when entertaining at home.
Some of our favorite keto cocktails are made using Zevia Mixers. They’re available at most supermarkets and on the internet.
Are Cocktails Keto-Friendly?
For taste, most drinks will include sugars and simple syrup. Let’s look at a few famous beverages and how you can make them keto-friendly.
Cocktails from the past
Gin and Tonic: This seemingly simple cocktail, which consists of just gin, tonic water, and a lime slice, is really very rich in carbohydrates. Tonic water and soda water are often confused, however when it comes to carb content, they are very different. Tonic water contains 33g of carbohydrates per 12 fluid ounces, while soda water has none! Replace the gin and soda with a gin and tonic.
Old Fashioned: Traditionally prepared with bourbon, bitters, sugar, and soda water, but you may remove the sugar cube or replace it with erythritol to make the cocktail carb-free. You may also use monk fruit sweetener in this recipe.
Mojito: I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now. You may make a low-carb cocktail by replacing the sugar with your preferred keto sweetener. The Mojito, prepared with rum, soda water, and mint, is similar. Try this low-carb variation!
Fruity and fancy
Margarita: Most margaritas include approximately 28g of carbohydrates per serving and are often prepared with orange liqueur and simple sugar. Make your own keto margarita at home using tequila, club soda, and a lime wedge instead.
Daiquiri: To create this tropical drink, all you need is sugar, lime, and rum. You can simply replace the sugar in this low-carb recipe with a keto-friendly sweetener.
Whiskey Sour: The egg white is the distinguishing component in a whiskey sour, which is keto-friendly on its alone but not when mixed with simple syrup. Instead, try this keto Whiskey Sour.
Cocktails for Keto Diet
The Moscow Mule, named from the copper cup in which it is served, is a drink prepared with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. Try our Moscow Mule with Apple Cider Vinegar. It’s tasty and low-carb.
Bloody Mary: This drink is far from basic, needing horseradish, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a variety of spices. Try making a keto version with all the fixings.
Irish Coffee: You may make Irish Coffee without sugar, but we believe that adding some sweetness helps to reduce the bitterness of the alcohol and coffee, making it a more pleasant experience. See for yourself by trying Keto Irish Coffee.
Is it true that wine and beer are keto-friendly?
On a keto diet, choosing a wine or beer takes a bit more thought than combining rum and diet cola.
Wines with Low Carbohydrate Content
The drier the wine, the better when looking for a low-carb option. The less residual sugar there is in the wine, the less sweet it will taste. The carbohydrate content of the following drinks ranges from 0 to 5 grams per glass.
This low-carb winery ferments its wine completely, leaving no residual sugar behind, yielding just 1g of sugar per liter.
Beers with Low Carbohydrate Content
Beer is one of the most difficult alcoholic beverages to keep low-carb while still tasting nice. However, as low-carb diets grow more popular, manufacturers continue to develop lighter alternatives. Before you start shopping, read our Low-Carb Beer Guide.
Blue Moon’s new LightSky is the newest low-carb beer to reach the market. It has a strong tangerine flavor and just 3.6 grams of carbohydrates per serving. This is something you should definitely try this summer.
The Worst Keto Beer and Wine
It’s often simpler to simply know what’s keto-friendly and what’s not. Save yourself the trouble of having to read these labels. We took care of things for you.
Wines with a lot of carbohydrates
Beers with a lot of carbohydrates
Seltzers with Low Carbs
Health-conscious customers choose beverages like White Claw and the new Bud Light Seltzer. Seltzers are made out of carbonated water, alcohol, and flavoring.
For keto dieters searching for sugar-free alternatives at the liquor shop, these canned beverages have altered the game.
Should You Drink While on a Keto Diet?
It’s entirely up to you whether or not you drink on a keto diet. Some individuals explore and discover that their tolerance is significantly lower on keto, so take things slowly at first.
Eating While Drunk
After a night of drinking, it’s no surprise that people go to fast food restaurants or order pizza. Your impulse control and leptin (the hormone that signals your body when you’re full) are both affected by alcohol. After a few drinks, you may get hungry and make bad food choices. If individuals are pursuing a keto diet to reduce weight, this may deter them from drinking.
If you’re on a low-carb diet, look for low-carb menus at your favorite fast food restaurants.
- McDonald’s offers low-carb options.
- Chick-fil-Keto A’s Menu
- At Taco Bell, Here’s How to Eat Keto
To sum it up
On a keto diet, alcohol is not forbidden, and there are many methods to make your favorite beverages keto-friendly.
- While alcohol may delay fat loss, it has no effect on ketosis.
- On a keto diet, hangovers are likely to be severe, so be sure to take electrolytes.
- Spirits such as rum, whiskey, and vodka are carb-free but not calorie-free.
- Low-carb mixers, such as diet soda, sparkling water, and other low-sugar beverages, should be used.
- In your favorite drinks, replace sugar with keto sweeteners.
- Carbohydrate content is lowest in dry wines.
- Light or low-carb beers are available in a number of styles. When you drink more than one beer, the carbohydrates add up quickly.
- Drinking may lead to bad eating habits, which can sabotage your weight reduction efforts.
Do you use alcohol while on a ketogenic diet? Please let us know! If you have a recipe for a keto alcoholic beverage, please share it in the comments section.
Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances, but, regardless of how much you may want to drink, you should avoid drinking any alcohol. And, even though you should not drink alcohol, many people are curious about what you may or may not drink on a ketogenic diet.. Read more about keto mixed drinks to order at a bar and let us know what you think.
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