Where the carbs come from
Orange liqueurs such as triple sec are sweetened; they add sugar to margaritas, cosmopolitans and Long Islands.
How to order it
Ask for the cocktail without the orange liqueur, or with a dash of orange bitters.
Lower-carb orders
Spirits, lowest to highest
Distillation leaves the sugar behind, so plain spirits such as vodka, gin, whiskey, tequila and brandy have essentially no carbs. Liqueurs and aperitifs are different: they are spirits with sugar added after distilling.
At a glance
Typical range for a standard pour. Carbs in drinks are mostly sugar, so net and total carbs are about the same.
The rule for spirits
Plain spirits are zero. Anything called a liqueur, cream, schnapps or aperitivo is sweetened.
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 triple sec / orange liqueur keto?
Not really. A 1 oz triple sec / orange liqueur has about 6–9 g of carbs, 24 to 36% of a 25 g daily limit in one drink.
How many carbs are in triple sec / orange liqueur?
About 6–9 g per 1 oz. Orange liqueurs such as triple sec are sweetened; they add sugar to margaritas, cosmopolitans and Long Islands. Brands, recipes and pours vary, so treat it as a range.
How do I order triple sec / orange liqueur on keto?
Ask for the cocktail without the orange liqueur, or with a dash of orange bitters.
What is the lowest-carb spirit?
Brandy / cognac (0 g), Gin (0 g), Rum (plain) (0 g). Plain spirits are zero. Anything called a liqueur, cream, schnapps or aperitivo is sweetened.
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