Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (2024)

Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (1)

It’s a looong hot summer, so you’d better to cool yourself with some of the coolest sugar-free low-carb drinks. If you don’t get chilled (out) with these, it would be worth thinking of moving to the North Pole!

I’ve collected a bunch of various drink recipes, some of them are my low-carb versions of classic drinks, some are my wild, new creations. Enjoy!

Update: You might want to check my drink book (in Kindle format here) for more refreshing summer drink recipes! Over 40 recipes, plenty of variations, each serving under 1 gram net carbs!

Sugar-Free Mint Julep

Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (2)

Let’s start with an old, refreshing favorite — this time sweetened with stevia instead of syrup. By the way, liquid stevia is a very handy sweetener, it comes ready in a bottle and you don’t have to cook it like sugar syrup.

Sugar-Free Mint Julep

2 mint sprigs
5–10 drops liquid stevia
crushed ice
2 oz = 60 ml bourbon

Directions

  1. Place the mint leaves from 1 mint sprig and the stevia in an old-fashioned glass.
  2. Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour bourbon over the ice.
  3. Garnish with the remaining mint sprig.
Nutrition informationProteinFatNet carbskcal
One serving:0.1 g0.0 g1.0 g140 kcal

Low-Carb Long Drink “Lonkero”

Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (3)

Next a Finnish favorite, long drink “lonkero“, which was first introduced into the 1952Olympics. Usually lonkero is sweetened with sugar, or I guess nowadays it contains whatever super unhealthy syrup and other artificial flavorings. Because I’m not in favor of industrial unhealthy stuff, I created a sugar-free syrup-free version of this extra refreshing drink which we Finns love to drink especially after sauna, or actually at any time in the summer.

Currently there do exist numerous different flavors of lonkeros, but I stuck with the basic version, although in the photo above I used red grapefruit juice instead of white grapefruit juice.

Low-Carb Long Drink “Lonkero”

1 tablespoon gin
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed juice from organic white grapefruit or red grapefruit
1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice from organic lemon
10 drops liquid stevia
1 cup = 240 ml sparkling water

Directions

  1. Combine the gin, juices and the stevia in a highball glass. Stir.
  2. Add the sparkling water and stir gently.
Nutrition informationProteinFatNet carbskcal
One serving:0.2 g0.1 g4.1 g53 kcal

Sugar-Free Vodka Collins


Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (4)

Here is again an old classic, which I converted into low-carb. The low-carb versions I’ve seen before contain Splenda or other artificial sweeteners. Because to my knowledge stevia is much safer, I chose that to sweeten my Vodka Collins. I also modified this drink to contain a bit less alcohol — you won’t feel too dizzy after enjoying this chilling and refreshing golden oldie. This is one of the best sugar-free vodka drinks I’ve ever tried!

Sugar-Free Vodka Collins

1 oz = 30 ml vodka
1 oz = 30 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice from organic lemon
10 drops liquid stevia
4 oz = 115 ml sparkling water

Directions

  1. Fill a shaker or jar with crushed ice.
  2. Add the vodka, lemon juice and the stevia, close the shaker or the jar tightly and shake vigorously.
  3. Strain into an old-fashioned glass.
  4. Add the sparkling water and stir.
Nutrition informationProteinFatNet carbskcal
One serving:0.1 g0.0 g0.5 g75 kcal

Raspberry Surprise


Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (5)

This fruity drink is developed completelyby me. It all started from my craving for a fruity, fresh and long drink. Fresh raspberries are both fruity and very low in carbs. Flavor bursting raspberry juice, sweetened with vanilla stevia, a tiny bite from lime and lots of refreshing, ice-cold sparkling water create a perfect drink for any hot summer day.

Raspberry Surprise

1–2 oz = 30–60 ml light rum
2 oz = 60 g fresh organic raspberries, crushed
20 drops vanilla stevia
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice from organic lime
3/4 cup = 180 ml ice-cold sparkling water

Directions

  1. Combine the rum, raspberries, vanilla stevia and the lime juice in a small bowl. Mix well.
  2. Press the mixture carefully through a sieve or a (tea) strainer so that you get as much liquid as possible.
  3. Pour the mixture into a highball glass.
  4. Add the sparkling water and stir gently.
Nutrition informationProteinFatNet carbskcal
One serving, if 1 oz (30 ml) rum used:0.6 g0.5 g2.5 g94 kcal
One serving, if 2 oz (60 ml) rum used:0.6 g0.5 g2.5 g163 kcal

Merry Cherry Berry


Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (6)

Here is again a drink developed by me. iHerbsells lovely cherry flavor, and I thought I simply have to use it for a luscious, short drink. Here is the tasty result, sip it slowly and feel the cheery taste of summer!

Merry Cherry Berry

2 teaspoonscherry flavor
20 drops berry-flavored stevia
2 oz = 60 ml light rum
1/4 cup = 60 ml crushed ice

Directions

  1. Shake all the ingredients in a shaker or in a tightly covered jar.
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Nutrition informationProteinFatNet carbskcal
One serving:0.1 g0.0 g0.1 g138 kcal

Citrus Explosion Martini


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Let your taste buds explode with this triple citrus martini! This drink is again developed by me — though I don’t wonder if somebody somewhere has come to similar ideas, this drink is simply a winner. I dare you to try!

Citrus Explosion Martini

2 oz = 60 ml vodka
1 teaspoon freshly grated organic lemon peel, only the yellow part
1 teaspoon freshly grated organic lime peel, only the green part
1 teaspoon freshly grated organic orange peel, only the orange part
20 drops liquid stevia

Directions

  1. Start preparing the drink on the previous day. Combine the vodka and the peels in a small jar. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
  2. Next day, when ready to prepare the drink, take the jar and strain the contents into a shaker with ice.
  3. Add the stevia, close the lid and shake vigorously.
  4. Strain the contents into a chilled cocktail glass.
Nutrition informationProteinFatNet carbskcal
One serving:0.1 g0.1 g0.1 g138 kcal

Sugar-Free Russian Coffee


Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (8)

It’s time for dessert. What would be a better end to a summer dinner than a slushy combination of coffee, cream and vodka? — Nothing! All served in one, chilly and refreshing drink.

Sugar-Free Russian Coffee

1 cup = 240 ml crushed ice
1 oz = 30 ml vodka
1 oz = 30 ml organic heavy cream
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules (can be also decaffeinated)
15 drops liquid stevia

Directions

  1. Place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.
  2. Pour into a chilled highball glass.
Nutrition informationProteinFatNet carbskcal
One serving:0.6 g10.5 g0.9 g168 kcal

Cherry Apple Drink


Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (9)

My husband — who is German — loves Apfelschorle, a traditional German drink, which consists of half apple juice and half sparkling water. Because apple juice has quite some carbs, I developed this drink of lesser carbs for my family. Well, my husband still sticks to the traditional Apfelschorle, but I and my son could gulp down gallons of this tasty cherry and apple flavored drink.

Cherry Apple Drink

2 teaspoons cherry-flavored stevia crystals
1 1/4 cup = 300 ml organic freshly pressed apple juice
4 cups = 950 ml ice-cold sparkling water

Directions

  1. Combine the stevia crystals and the apple juice in a pitcher. Stir until the crystals are dissolved.
  2. Pour in the sparkling water and stir gently.
Nutrition informationProteinFatNet carbskcal
In total:0.3 g0.3 g33.0 g138 kcal
Per serving if 4 servings in total:0.1 g0.1 g8.3 g35 kcal
Per serving if 6 servings in total:0.1 g0.1 g5.5 g23 kcal

Liquid Dessert (Creamy Cherry Cinnamon Drink)


Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (10)

For those who try to avoid alcohol I developed this sweet and creamy drink — dessert in fluid form. Actually, the cherry flavor has a trace of alcohol, like most of the flavors and extracts, so if you are completely avoiding alcohol, you might want to search for a cherry flavor which contains absolutely no alcohol whatsoever. Cinnamon gives a surprising and exciting note, which goes perfectly with cherry and heavy cream. This drink you simply cannot miss!

Liquid Dessert (Creamy Cherry Cinnamon Drink)

2 oz = 60 ml organic heavy cream
1 teaspoon cherry flavor
10 drops alcohol-free vanilla stevia
a couple of shakes ground cinnamon (or ground ginger)

Directions

  1. Shake all the ingredients in a shaker or in a tightly covered jar.
  2. Pour into a small glass.
Nutrition informationProteinFatNet carbskcal
One serving:1.3 g21.1 g1.9 g203 kcal

For these recipes I got some inspiration from books Low-Carb Cocktailsby Dr. Douglas J. Markham and 1001 Cocktails, the Finnish edition. Even these drinks are tasty, refreshing and easy to gulp down, they should beenjoyed in moderation.

Like you might have noticed, this blog post is quite much different from all my other blog posts. I just wanted to try out something else. However, this way turned out to be enormously laborious, so I keep these multiple recipes containing blog posts to the minimum in the future, even I have to say that I enjoyed every second of developing these recipes and taking the photos in my summer cottage in the middle of nowhere.

P.S. A Canadian magazine Marine Matters is celebrating their first anniversary and they have my cupcake photo as their magazine cover. You might want to check the July issue, it’s free, great quality and also interesting for non-mariners.

Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (11)

Related posts:

Low-Carb Lassi and Variations — Day VI — Raspberry Cantaloupe LassiSugar-Free Cantaloupe Agua Fresca (Vegan)Low-Carb Lassi and Variations — Day VII — Orange Ginger Lassi3-Ingredient Slushy Keto Lemonade with Exciting Variations

Sugar-Free Summer Cocktails - Low-Carb, So Simple! -- gluten-free, sugar-free recipes with 5 ingredients or less (2024)

FAQs

What cocktail has the least amount of sugar in it? ›

  • Caipirinha (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Cosmopolitan (no added sugar* & low-calorie) ...
  • Daiquiri (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Espresso Martini (no sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Fitzgerald (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Gimlet (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Gin Basil Smash (no added sugar & low-calorie)

What drinks have no sugar and no carbs? ›

The quick answer: Water is perfect and zero carb, as is coffee and tea (without sugar, of course). The occasional glass of wine is fine too. Check out this visual guide for more good options, and what to definitely avoid. Just remember, what you add to your drink is just as important as the drink itself!

What is the best sugar-free alcoholic drink? ›

Let's check out some of the most popular alcoholic beverages and their nutritional values:
  • Vodka: 0 grams of sugar & 100 calories per 50 ml.
  • Gin: 0 grams of sugar & 97 calories per 50 ml.
  • Tequila: 0 grams of sugar & 97 calories per 50 ml.
  • Whiskey: 0.03 grams of sugar & 105 calories per 50 ml.
Apr 13, 2022

What cocktails can diabetics drink? ›

Sweet drinks like margaritas and mojitos don't have to be off-limits. Use sugar-free mixers for margaritas and fresh fruit for daiquiris. And instead of pouring simple syrup into mojitos and martinis, try a natural sweetener like stevia or a sugar substitute.

What alcohol has 0 carbs and 0 sugar? ›

Spirits Pure spirits like gin, whisky, vodka, and tequila are suitable drink choices for people following a keto diet. These drinks are low-calorie and contain zero added sugar and zero carbs. You can drink them plain or mix them with low-carb mixtures like soda water, diet soda, or sugar-free tonic water.

What can I eat that has no carbs and no sugar? ›

Meat and low carb animal products: chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, venison, bison, pork, eggs, butter, lard, cheese. Seafood: salmon, tilapia, cod, shrimp, sardines, herring, crab. Seasonings: herbs and spices. Zero-calorie beverages: water, black coffee, and plain tea.

What is the best low-carb no sugar alcohol? ›

Many low carb alcohol options are available if you follow a keto diet. For instance, pure forms of alcohol like whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, and vodka are all completely free of carbs. You can drink them straight or combine them with low carb mixers for more flavor.

Which alcohol is least harmful to your liver? ›

Take a look at this list of the least-damaging alcoholic drinks from Legends at White Oak to help you drink consciously.
  • Red Wine. ...
  • Light Beer. ...
  • Tequila. ...
  • Gin & Rum & Vodka & Whiskey.
Mar 7, 2021

What alcohol does not turn into sugar? ›

Gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey

These liquors contain 0 grams of carbs per 1.5-ounce (45-mL) serving ( 24 ). However, the carb content of your drink may vary depending on what you mix the liquor with. Avoid mixing liquor with sugary juices or sugar-containing soda.

What is the healthiest alcohol to drink? ›

5 healthier drink options
  • Dry red wine. Lower in sugars and higher in antioxidants. ...
  • Dry white wine or champagne. Pretty much the same reasoning as above, just without the extra antioxidants.
  • No-fuss cocktails. ...
  • Light beer. ...
  • Hard kombucha.
Oct 19, 2023

What should diabetics drink first thing in the morning? ›

Water is the best all-round drink. If your family likes flavoured waters, make your own by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or strawberries. Children often need reminding to drink, so give them a colourful water bottle with a funky straw.

What three drinks should diabetics avoid? ›

What drinks should people with type 2 diabetes avoid?
  • Alcoholic drinks. While alcohol in strict moderation can be safe to drink for people with diabetes, it can cause damage due to its hypoglycemic effect and also high-calorie content. ...
  • Sports drinks/energy drinks. ...
  • Sweetened and unsweetened fruit juices. ...
  • Sodas. ...
  • Sweet tea.

What is the drink that lowers diabetes? ›

Green tea

Green tea already boasts plenty of health benefits. And recent research suggests that it may have favorable effects on your blood sugar, too. For instance, a 2019 meta-analysis of 27 studies found that short- and long-term green tea consumption lowered fasting blood sugar levels.

Which alcoholic drinks are lowest in sugar? ›

If what you're looking for is the lowest-calorie, lowest-sugar alcohol, you'll want to stick with clear liquors, registered dietitian Alex Aldeborgh says. This includes vodka, gin, rum, tequila, soju and sake, among others, which will generally have less calories and less sugar.

Which drink has the least amount of added sugar? ›

10 Low-Sugar Drinks That Are Way Better for You Than Soda
  1. Sparkling Water. Nutrition Facts: 0 grams of sugar; 0 calories per serving. ...
  2. Lemon Water. Nutrition Facts: 1.2 grams of sugar; 11 calories per one lemon, juiced. ...
  3. Kefir. ...
  4. Tea. ...
  5. Coffee. ...
  6. Milk. ...
  7. Vegetable Juice. ...
  8. Kombucha.
Mar 28, 2023

What mixed drinks don't have a lot of sugar? ›

The Best Low-Sugar Cocktails
  • Paloma. The Paloma is a classic cocktail that's lower down on the sugar scale. ...
  • Gimlet. Gimlet's are a pretty old-school cocktail that was almost forgotten by everyone but mixologists until the resurgence of gin. ...
  • Basil Whiskey Sour. ...
  • White Wine Mojito. ...
  • Find More Cocktail Inspiration at UrbanBar.

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