Ahoy there, gin lovers! Are you a fan of the classic Gin & Tonic but looking for a way to mix things up? Or maybe you’re on the keto diet and wondering how to enjoy delicious drinks without sabotaging your progress? Well, have no fear, because we’re here to introduce you to the wonderful world of keto gin drinks!
Whether you’re a seasoned keto dieter or just looking to cut back on carbs, these tasty cocktails are the perfect way to indulge in a little bit of boozy goodness without the guilt. With a wide variety of low-carb mixers and ingredients to choose from, you can create delicious, refreshing drinks that fit perfectly into your lifestyle – no matter what that lifestyle may be.
So raise a glass to the power of keto gin drinks, and let’s dive into this world of delicious, guilt-free mixology together. Cheers, my fellow gin enthusiasts!
What is Keto?
Ah, the age-old question: what the heck does “keto” even mean? Is it short for “ketones”? Is it a secret code word for “keep eating those Oreos”? Well, fear not, my fellow confused friend – I’m here to shed some light on this mysterious acronym.
In short, “keto” is short for “ketogenic”, which refers to a low-carb, high-fat diet that puts your body into a state of ketosis. Basically, by cutting out carbs and upping your fat intake, you force your body to burn fat for energy instead of glucose. It’s kind of like putting your metabolism into turbo mode, except with less Vin Diesel and more avocado.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But wait, doesn’t fat make you… well, fat?” But surprisingly, no! When your body enters ketosis, it becomes super efficient at burning fat for fuel, which can lead to some serious weight loss and other health benefits.
Is Low Carb the something as Keto?
That’s a great question – is “keto” just a fancy way of saying “low carb”? Well, it’s kind of like asking if a pirate and a sailor are the same thing. While they both may involve boats and the ocean, there are some key differences that set them apart.
Similarly, while keto and low-carb diets do share some similarities (namely, cutting out carbs), there are some key differences between the two. Keto diets typically require you to drastically limit your carb intake (we’re talking 20-50 grams of carbs per day), as well as increasing your fat intake to enter a state of ketosis. Low-carb diets, on the other hand, typically allow for a bit more flexibility in terms of carb intake, and may not necessarily focus on increasing fat intake.
So while keto and a low carb diet may be distant cousins in the world of nutrition, they’re not exactly interchangeable. But don’t worry, matey – no matter which diet you choose, you can still enjoy delicious gin drinks without blowing all your net carbs in one sip. So grab your shaker and let’s mix up some magic with these keto cocktails!
Keto Gin Drinks Recipes
Cucumber and Mint Gin Fizz
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz stevia syrup (or your preferred low-carb natural sweetener)
- 4-5 slices of cucumber
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
Muddle the cucumber and mint in a cocktail shaker. Add the gin, lime juice, and stevia syrup and shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a cucumber slice and mint sprig.
Blackberry Thyme Gin and Tonic
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz thyme-infused stevia syrup (or your preferred low-carb sweetener)
- 3-4 fresh blackberries
- Tonic water
Muddle the blackberries in a shaker. Add the gin, lime juice, and thyme syrup and shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice, top with tonic water, and garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme and extra blackberries.
Spicy Ginger Gin Fizz Cocktail
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz ginger-infused stevia syrup (or your preferred low-carb sweetener)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Soda water
Combine the gin, lime juice, ginger syrup, and cayenne pepper in a shaker and shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a lime wedge and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
Keto Bloody Mary
- 2 oz gin
- 4 oz tomato juice
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp horseradish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tabasco or hot sauce to taste
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a celery stalk, lemon wedge, and olives.
Keto Moscow Mule
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz ginger-infused stevia syrup (or your preferred low-carb sweetener)
- 4 oz sugar-free ginger beer
Combine the gin, lime juice, and ginger syrup in a shaker. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wedge.
Keto Dry Martini
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz dry vermouth
- Olive or lemon twist for garnish
Combine the gin and dry vermouth in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an olive or lemon twist.
Keto Classic Tom Collins
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz stevia syrup (or your preferred low-carb sweetener)
- Soda water
Combine the gin, lemon juice, and stevia syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Keto Singapore Sling
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz cherry-flavored stevia syrup (or your preferred low-carb sweetener)
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- Club soda
Combine the gin, lime juice, cherry syrup, and almond extract in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a cherry and a pineapple wedge.
Keto Friendly Mixers
When it comes to keto-friendly mixers for your gin drinks, the possibilities are endless. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to know which ones to choose – especially if you’re trying to avoid hidden carbs and sugars.
Luckily, there are plenty of keto-friendly mixers that will help you shake up delicious drinks without sabotaging your diet. Some great options include:
- Freshly squeezed citrus juices (like lime, lemon, and grapefruit)
- Sugar-free syrups and sweeteners (like stevia or erythritol)
- Low-carb fruit purees (like strawberry or raspberry)
- Club soda or sparkling water
- Herbal teas (like chamomile or mint) steeped and chilled
Of course, you could always try making your own mixers from scratch – that way, you have even more control over the ingredients and carb count. Plus, there’s just something satisfying about knowing you made your drink from scratch, right?
But let’s be real – making your own mixers can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’re short on time or just want to enjoy a quick and easy drink. So if you don’t feel like whipping up your own simple syrup or fruit puree, don’t worry – there are plenty of store-bought options that will work just as well.
At the end of the day, the key is to find mixers that are low in carbs and sugars, but high in flavor and fun. So whether you’re using store-bought or homemade mixers, rest easy knowing that you can still enjoy delicious gin drinks while sticking to your keto diet.
Want more? Check out our other cocktail recipes!
Fizzy Waters… ?
Let’s take a dive into the wonderful world of fizzy water. But wait – what exactly is the difference between soda water, seltzer water, and tonic? And can you make them at home? Let’s find out!
First up, we’ve got soda water. This is essentially just water that has been carbonated or infused with carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. Soda water is also sometimes referred to as “club soda,” and often contains added minerals such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium sulfate to enhance its flavor and texture.
Next, we have seltzer water. Like soda water, seltzer is simply water that has been carbonated with CO2 gas. However, unlike soda water, seltzer does not contain any added minerals or flavorings.
Finally, we come to tonic water. While tonic water is also carbonated, it contains a few additional ingredients that give it a distinct flavor. Most notably, tonic water contains quinine, a bitter compound that is derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. Tonic water also often contains added sugar or sweeteners and citrus flavors to balance out the bitterness of the quinine.
Now, as for making your own fizzy water at home – it’s actually quite easy! All you need is a home carbonation system (such as a SodaStream) and some plain tap water. Simply fill up the carbonation bottle with water, attach it to the carbonator, and push the button to infuse it with CO2 gas. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy your homemade fizzy water to your heart’s content!
Worst Alcoholic Drinks?
If you’re trying to follow a keto diet, you may be wondering which alcoholic beverages are the best (and worst) choices for keeping your carb intake in check. And let’s be real – some of the worst offenders might surprise you!
First up on our list of the worst keto-friendly drinks? Margaritas. While this popular cocktail may be delicious, it’s also usually loaded with sugar in the form of margarita mix (which can contain upwards of 30 grams of carbs per serving). Yikes!
Next, we have beer. While there are some low-carb beer options out there, most types of beer contain a significant amount of carbs from the grains used to brew them. Sorry, beer lovers – looks like you’ll have to enjoy your brews in moderation if you want to stay in ketosis.
And finally, we have sweet wines such as Moscato and dessert wines. These wines are often made with added sugars or fruit juices, making them a no-go for keto dieters.
So what’s a keto drinker to do? Good news- there are still plenty of delicious alcoholic options that won’t derail your diet. Opt for spirits like vodka, gin, and whiskey, which are all low in carbs and perfect for mixing into low-carb cocktails (a classic cocktail like a gin and tonic, minus the tonic water). And if you’re feeling fancy, treat yourself to a glass of dry champagne or a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.
At the end of the day, like with any diet, moderation is key. By keeping an eye on your carb intake and choosing your drinks wisely, you can still enjoy a delicious cocktail or glass of wine without sacrificing your keto progress. Cheers to that, me hearties!
Mocktails
If you’re looking for a delicious and low-carb way to enjoy a cocktail without the buzz, look no further than Ritual Zero Proof. This innovative non-alcoholic spirit is perfect for keto dieters who want to cut down on their alcohol intake but still enjoy a tasty drink. I am absolutely in love with the gin. I mix it with sparkling water (made in my SodaStream) and enjoy the view from my front porch. It is a way to enjoy the “ritual” of a drink without all of the calories, it’s the perfect drink for any weeknight Happy Hour.
What makes Ritual Zero Proof so great? For starters, it’s free of alcohol, so you don’t have to worry about any pesky hangovers or other side effects that can come with drinking. Plus, it’s made with all-natural ingredients and botanicals, giving it a complex, nuanced flavor that’s perfect for mixing into all sorts of cocktails.
Whether you’re craving traditional cocktails like a gin and tonic, a vodka soda, or a classic whiskey sour, Ritual Zero Proof has got you covered. Simply substitute the spirit in your favorite recipe and enjoy a delicious, low-carb cocktail that won’t leave you feeling fuzzy-headed the next day.
And let’s not forget about the fitness benefits of drinking non-alcoholic cocktails. Without any alcohol to slow you down, you’ll be able to wake up bright and early for that morning run without any grogginess or sluggishness. So go ahead, indulge in a delicious Ritual Zero Proof cocktail, and feel good about your low-carb, alcohol-free choices.
At the end of the day, whether you’re a die-hard gin lover or a whiskey aficionado, there’s a non-alcoholic option out there for everyone. So why not give Ritual Zero Proof a try and see how delicious an alcohol-free lifestyle can be? Cheers to that, me hearties!
Final thoughts?
We’ve covered a lot of ground today when it comes to low carb cocktails and the best choices for keto dieters. But let’s be real – when it comes down to it, everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to enjoying a delicious, low-carb drink.
For me personally, I’m a big fan of gin-based cocktails when I’m trying to keep things low-carb. Gin is naturally low in carbs and has a clean, refreshing flavor that’s perfect for mixing into all sorts of tasty drinks. Whether you’re sipping on a classic gin and tonic (hold the tonic water, please!), a bright and citrusy gimlet, or a spicy gin-based Bloody Mary, there’s no shortage of delicious gin cocktails to enjoy.
Of course, if gin isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other low-carb liquor options to choose from as well. Vodka, for example, is another great choice for keto dieters, as it’s also low in carbs and has a neutral flavor that makes it perfect for mixing into all sorts of cocktails (including the ever-popular vodka soda).
And let’s not forget about whiskey, which can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, or mixed into classic cocktails like a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. While whiskey does contain a small amount of carbs from the grains used to produce it, it’s still a relatively low-carb option that’s perfect for sipping on a cozy winter night.
At the end of the day, whether you prefer gin, vodka, whiskey, or another liquor entirely, the most important thing is to find a low-carb cocktail that you truly enjoy. With so many delicious options out there, there’s no reason why you can’t indulge in a tasty drink while still sticking to your keto goals. So bottoms up, me hearties – here’s to many happy, low-carb cocktail hours ahead