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Drinks / Cocktails

How many carbs in a margarita (bar mix)?

Not keto-friendly

Not really. An 8 oz margarita (bar mix) has about 15–30 g of carbs, 60 to 120% of a 25 g daily limit in one drink.

Share of a 25 g net-carb day (high end)120%

Where the carbs come from

Margarita mix is sugar, citric acid and flavoring, plus orange liqueur.

Mix is mostly sugar.

How to order it

Ask for a skinny margarita: tequila, fresh lime, soda, and no mix.

Lower-carb orders

Skinny margarita
6 oz4–7 g
LimitVodka soda with lime
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 gcarbsGin and tonic (regular tonic)8 oz
14–18 gcarbsEspresso martini (with liqueur)4 oz
12–20 gcarbsMoscow mule8 oz
12–20 gcarbs
Margarita (bar mix)8 oz
15–30 gcarbs
Long Island iced tea8 oz
20–35 gcarbsPiña colada8 oz
30–45 gcarbs

At a glance

Serving8 oz
Carbs15–30 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 margarita (bar mix) keto?

Not really. An 8 oz margarita (bar mix) has about 15–30 g of carbs, 60 to 120% of a 25 g daily limit in one drink.

How many carbs are in margarita (bar mix)?

About 15–30 g per 8 oz. Margarita mix is sugar, citric acid and flavoring, plus orange liqueur. Brands, recipes and pours vary, so treat it as a range.

How do I order margarita (bar mix) on keto?

Ask for a skinny margarita: tequila, fresh lime, soda, and no mix.

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.

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