Find Out Here if You Can Still Drink Tequila While Enjoying a Low-Carb Lifestyle
How Many Carbs Are in Tequila?
💡 ZERO – Tequila contains zero carbs, which makes it an excellent alcoholic drink choice for those following a low-carb diet.
Have you been limiting your carb intake but still like to indulge in a tasty cocktail every now and then? If so, there’s no doubt that you’ve already asked yourself “what are the carbs in tequila?”
This Mexican spirit is served all over the world, however, its nutritional value tends to be forgotten.
In this blog post, we’ll not only explore how many carbs exist in tequila, but we will also analyze whether or not it is keto-friendly as well as discover some of the potential health benefits associated with drinking it moderately.
From useful tips for healthier consumption of tequila to easy-to-make keto-friendly cocktails, we’ve got it all laid out. Keep reading and find out more about the carb count of tequila and how you can savor every sip guilt-free!
Table of Contents
- What Is Tequila?
- Carbs in Tequila: Nutrition Facts
- Is Tequila Keto-Friendly?
- Health Benefits of Tequila
- Tips to Make Your Tequila Healthier
- Keto-Friendly Tequila Cocktails
- Other Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Drinks
- Alcoholic Drinks to Avoid on Keto
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
What Is Tequila?
Tequila has become an internationally beloved spirit due to its smooth and flavorful taste. Made with the blue agave plant, producing tequila requires a laborious process including harvesting the agave plants, roasting them, fermenting their juice, and distilling it.
This drink has been a prominent part of Mexican culture for centuries and is regularly used in festivities and celebrations. From its rich history to its smooth taste, tequila provides something special to all who indulge.
Tequila comes in various types, each with its unique taste and aging process. The list below shows the three main types of tequila:
- Blanco: Otherwise known as silver tequila, this has a transparent look and a potent flavor. This type of tequila is unaged and bottled directly after the distillation process.
- Reposado: Aged for a minimum of two months and a maximum of one year in oak barrels, Reposado tequila is revered by connoisseurs for its smoothness and complexity.
- Añejo: Aged to perfection in oak barrels for a span of one to three years, this type of spirit boasts an exquisite amber hue and a smooth yet sophisticated flavor profile.
Whether enjoyed solo or as part of cocktails, Tequila undoubtedly creates a delightful drinking experience!
Carbs in Tequila: Nutrition Facts
For those following a low-carb or keto diet, tequila is an excellent alcoholic drink of choice due to its lack of carbohydrates. Every 1.5-ounce shot contains zero carbs and a glycemic index of 0, meaning it has no effect on blood sugar levels.
Additionally, being distilled means that there are neither natural nor added sugars within the drink unlike many other alcoholic beverages, only pure tequila.
Here are the nutrition facts per shot (42 grams) of tequila according to USDA:
- Calories: 97
- Fat: 0 gram
- Net carbs: 0 gram
- Protein: 0 gram
Although it’s essential to indulge in tequila in moderation, it can be a brilliant selection for those aiming to reduce their carbohydrate consumption while still relishing a tasty alcoholic beverage.
Is Tequila Keto-Friendly?
As tequila contains zero carbs and is low in calories, it is considered keto-friendly and can even help you lose weight. Just remember that many mixed drinks may contain added sugars that can increase carb and calorie content significantly, something to keep top of mind as you enjoy your tipple.
As a result, the ideal way to engage in tequila consumption while keeping your ketosis intact is to have neat tequila shots or prepare cocktails with low-carb and sugar-free ingredients.
Health Benefits of Tequila
Tequila is not just a tasty drink to be shared with friends and family, it is also a beverage strongly rooted in tradition and culture, which has become a staple in bars and homes alike.
It can be enjoyed in many different ways, from neat, on the rocks, or as a base for cocktails. Its versatility and distinct taste make it a favorite among many, and its potential health benefits are an added bonus.
That said, let’s take a look at some of the ways tequila can improve your overall well-being.
Aids in Digestion
Tequila has been used for centuries to aid digestion, relieving and soothing the stomach after meals. Its high insulin content stimulates the proliferation of good bacteria in your gut which makes it easier to process food along its digestive path.
May Improve Heart Health
Tequila, when consumed in a responsible manner, has the ability to positively influence heart health. In fact, research suggests that consuming light to moderate amounts of alcohol can reduce one’s risk for certain cardiovascular diseases.
Promotes Immune Function
Tequila, which is made with agave, conveys a powerful punch of antioxidants that nurture and strengthen your immune system.
Agave syrups have been found to have significant amounts of antioxidative components, such as tannins, compared to other natural sweeteners. Tannins aid in boosting immunity by helping cells communicate to coordinate an effective response.
These antioxidative compounds can play a role in promoting immune function, allowing the body to ward off illnesses and diseases more efficiently.
Tips to Make Your Tequila Healthier
Those who are looking to responsibly enjoy tequila can successfully do so by following these steps:
- When making cocktails or mixes, replace sugary ingredients with sugar-free ones to escape the unnecessary or added sugar and calories.
- Skip the soda and opt for seltzer water or club soda instead to avoid unnecessary sugar and calories.
- Opt for pure agave tequila as this will abstain from any extra sugars or calories added during production.
- Opt for silver tequila to avoid congeners that can lead to severe hangovers.
- Keep your alcohol consumption in check. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to major health issues, so heed the advised intake recommendations. Stick to the recommended guidelines and remember that no alcohol is hangover-free.
Follow these tips so that you can savor tequila responsibly and safely.
Keto-Friendly Tequila Cocktails
Staying true to a strict keto diet doesn’t mean you have to give up on the idea of enjoying an exquisite cocktail. Tequila makes for the perfect alcoholic base that adheres to all dietary guidelines and offers a wide range of tasty cocktails!
To help make things easier, we will explore some delicious tequila-based drinks that are sure to tantalize your taste buds while keeping you firmly within your keto lifestyle. These can also be enjoyed with our Italian hangover cake recipe.
Keto Bloody Maria
The Keto Bloody Maria is the ideal beverage for those seeking a little heat in their drinks. This Mexican twist on the classic cocktail features tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and spices mixed with tequila instead of vodka to give it an extra bold flavor.
With just a few simple ingredients, this keto-friendly concoction is easy to craft and makes any occasion special!
Here’s the nutritional information per serving of this Keto Bloody Maria recipe:
- Calories: 140
- Fat: N/A
- Net carbs: 6 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
Keto Tequila Sunrise
Give your taste buds a treat and reduce carbs in this Keto Tequila Sunrise recipe by switching out traditional ingredients for low-sugar orange juice and sugar-free grenadine syrup to add with the Blanco tequila.
Enjoy the same delicious flavor without worrying about consuming too many carbohydrates!
Here’s the nutritional information per serving of this Keto Tequila Sunrise recipe:
- Calories: 117
- Fat: 0.2 gram
- Net carbs: 4.7 grams
- Protein: 0.2 gram
Keto Lime Frozen Margarita
Enjoy the delight of a Keto Lime Frozen Margarita at your next summer get-together!
Created with just five ingredients, which are tequila, monk fruit, orange zest, lime juice, and ice, this keto margarita offers an invigorating mix of tart citrus flavor and smooth tequila. Ready in minutes for any convenient occasion!
Here’s the nutritional information per serving of this keto lime frozen margarita recipe:
- Calories: 156
- Fat: 0 gram
- Net carbs: 4 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
Other Keto-Friendly Alcoholic Drinks
Don’t feel deprived of socializing during the happy hour just because you’re sticking to the keto diet. There are several tasty low-carb, keto-friendly cocktails that can tantalize your taste buds without the dauntingly high carb count.
Transform classic drinks into ketogenic versions by substituting sugary ingredients with low-carb mixers or choosing spirits with fewer carbs than usual.
Here are some keto-friendly alcoholic drinks and their carb count per serving:
- Dry Wine (dry red wine, dry white wine, dry sparkling wine): 0 – 4 grams of carbs
- Hard liquor (vodka, gin, brandy, rum, whisky, bourbon, etc.): 0 – 3 grams
- Champagne: 1 – 4 grams
- Seltzer: 0 – 2 grams of carbs
With a few simple tweaks, you can still be part of the fun while keeping up with your health goals!
Alcoholic Drinks to Avoid on Keto
Although there are many alcoholic drinks that fit within the confines of a keto diet, some should be completely avoided as they contain too much sugar and carbs. These can quickly sabotage your progress and knock you out of nutritional ketosis.
Here are a few of the worst alcoholic drinks you need to avoid while on keto and their carb count per serving:
- Beer: 13 – 17 grams of carbs
- Mixed drink (that doesn’t use sugar-free ingredients): 10 – 36 grams
- Drinks with tonic water, juice, or soda: 15 – 39 grams
- Liqueurs (Aperol, Bailey’s, amaretto, Cointreau, Campari, etc.): 7 – 30 grams of carbs
If you’re aware of the components in your beverages, you can still have a night on the town without jeopardizing your keto diet by choosing low-carb options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Tequila Make You Gain Weight?
Tequila may not be directly correlated to weight gain, but those high-calorie mixers definitely will if indulged in too often. To make sure that doesn’t happen, it’s best to opt for sugar-free ingredients when preparing your favorite tequila concoctions!
For example, Jello Shots are even better when made with sugar-free jello and a shot of tequila.
What Happens if You Drink Tequila Every Day?
Drinking tequila each day will steadily amplify your alcohol tolerance, however, it may still lead to hangovers if you consume alcohol of low quality. Drinking alcohol can be damaging to your health over time when excessive, so always remember to drink responsibly and in moderation.
What Is the Healthiest Alcohol?
Researchers have found that red wine is the healthiest alcoholic beverage due to its high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, which can provide a plethora of benefits such as improved cardiovascular function, bone health, and enhanced cognitive abilities.
Final Thoughts
Tequila is an excellent keto-friendly choice, as it is both low in carbs and calories. However, beware of any mixers you pair with Tequila, these can add a large number of carbs and sugar.
For best results when following a ketogenic diet plan, sip on some neat tequila or squeeze in some lime juice for flavor without excessing adding additional sugars to your cocktail.
Keep in mind that moderate alcohol intake should be practiced while on keto as drinking excessively can kick you out of ketosis altogether.
If this blog post has been of help to you, be sure to share it with those who might find value also!