Hosting Thanksgiving? Get the free keto game plan.

Keto TuxedoBlack-tie low carb

Drinks / Cocktails

How many carbs in a gin and tonic (regular tonic)?

Not keto-friendly

Not really. An 8 oz gin and tonic (regular tonic) has about 14–18 g of carbs, 56 to 72% of a 25 g daily limit in one drink.

Share of a 25 g net-carb day (high end)72%

Where the carbs come from

Tonic water is a sweetened soda.

Tonic water is sugar water.

How to order it

Ask for diet or light tonic, or gin with soda and a squeeze of lime.

Lower-carb orders

Gin and tonic (diet tonic)
8 oz0–1 g
YesGin and soda
8 oz0–1 g
Yes

Cocktails, lowest to highest

The spirit in a cocktail is rarely the problem. The carbs come from what it is mixed with: juice, tonic, ginger beer, sour mix, simple syrup and sweet liqueurs. Nearly every classic has a lower-carb way to order it.

Dry martini3 oz
0–1 gcarbsGin and soda8 oz
0–1 gcarbsGin and tonic (diet tonic)8 oz
0–1 gcarbsVodka soda with lime8 oz
0–1 gcarbsDirty martini3 oz
1–2 gcarbsKeto espresso martini4 oz
1–2 gcarbsManhattan3 oz
3–5 gcarbsOld fashioned3 oz
2–5 gcarbsSkinny margarita6 oz
4–7 gcarbsNegroni3 oz
5–8 gcarbsBloody Mary6 oz
5–10 gcarbsDaiquiri (classic)4 oz
6–10 gcarbsMimosa6 oz
6–10 gcarbsWhiskey sour (sour mix)4 oz
8–14 gcarbsAperol spritz6 oz
12–15 gcarbsMojito8 oz
10–15 gcarbsCosmopolitan4 oz
10–16 gcarbs
Gin and tonic (regular tonic)8 oz
14–18 gcarbs
Espresso martini (with liqueur)4 oz
12–20 gcarbsMoscow mule8 oz
12–20 gcarbsMargarita (bar mix)8 oz
15–30 gcarbsLong Island iced tea8 oz
20–35 gcarbsPiña colada8 oz
30–45 gcarbs

At a glance

Serving8 oz
Carbs14–18 g
CategoryCocktails
VerdictNot keto-friendly

Typical range for a standard pour. Carbs in drinks are mostly sugar, so net and total carbs are about the same.

The rule for cocktails

Spirit plus soda, a dry martini, or a classic made with fresh citrus and a sugar-free sweetener.

Add up your night

Carb ranges are approximate and vary by brand, recipe and pour. Alcohol can hit harder on a low-carb diet. Do not drink if pregnant or underage, and talk to your doctor about alcohol if you take medication or have diabetes. See our health disclaimer.

Quick answers

Is gin and tonic (regular tonic) keto?

Not really. An 8 oz gin and tonic (regular tonic) has about 14–18 g of carbs, 56 to 72% of a 25 g daily limit in one drink.

How many carbs are in gin and tonic (regular tonic)?

About 14–18 g per 8 oz. Tonic water is a sweetened soda. Brands, recipes and pours vary, so treat it as a range.

How do I order gin and tonic (regular tonic) on keto?

Ask for diet or light tonic, or gin with soda and a squeeze of lime.

What is the lowest-carb cocktail?

Dry martini (0–1 g), Gin and soda (0–1 g), Gin and tonic (diet tonic) (0–1 g). Spirit plus soda, a dry martini, or a classic made with fresh citrus and a sugar-free sweetener.

Free pocket guide

The drink chart, in your pocket

The Keto Dress Code includes a one-page drink carb chart and the bar orders that work anywhere.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe in one click. By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy.

The libraries

Keto for real life

17 game plans

Every occasion

From black tie to the gas station: airports, road trips, game day, first dates and the office party.

Explore →22 cuisines

Dining out

What to order, what to skip and exactly what to say, from sushi to the sports bar.

Explore →30 swaps

The swap library

The best keto stand-ins for rice, pasta, bread, flour, sugar and more, with the carbs compared.

Explore →54 ingredients

Hidden carbs

Maltodextrin, IMO, maltitol, “tapioca fiber”: what each label word means and how to count it.

Explore →