My go-to, no-brainer cocktail is a Gin Tonic. This classic and easy drink is light, refreshing, and perfect for any occasion. Here is my twist, a No-Guilt, Low Carb Gin Tonic Cocktail! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
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Low Carb Twist on a Classic Gin Tonic
About a year ago, I had to switch to a low carb (carbohydrate) diet and I was bummed that I wouldn't be able to enjoy my favorite cocktail. Since carbs suddenly became precious, I didn't want to exhaust my daily allowance in drinks:-)
Well, they say that necessity is the mother of all new cocktails (if I may twist the phrase a bit). I tried several different options, including diet tonic (yuck) and using club soda instead.
Finally I came to this simple hack: start with a good quality Gin and just replace half the tonic with club soda, and you can barely tell the difference.
Fewer Carbs Than a Glass of Red Wine
In fact, with half the tonic, it turns out that a Gin Tonic has lower carbs and lower calories than a glass of red wine!
Each ounce of tonic water has about 2.5 grams of carbs. Gin has zero carbs. So, a regular Gin Tonic, with 3 ounces of tonic, is about 130 calories and 7.5 grams of carbs, all in the form of added sugar (as much carbs as half a slice of bread).
The recipe below has 1.5 ounces of tonic (one measure of the Standard Jigger) and 1 ounce of soda, leading to about 110 calories, but only 3.75 grams of carbs. A glass of red wine has about 125 calories and 3.8 grams of carbs. See, I told ya!
So, next time you have an urge for a Gin Tonic, try this no guilt, low carb, and lower calorie recipe. This is my favorite low carb cocktail.
By the way, my favorite Gin currently is "Rangpur Tanqueray"; if you haven't tried it already, believe me its worth a shot.
More Low Carb Cocktails on the Blog
More Drinks from my Kitchen
📖 Recipe
Low Carb, No Guilt Gin Tonic Cocktail
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Ingredients
- ⅓ cup ice : about 6-8 medium sized ice cubes
- 1.5 ounces gin : 1 standard jigger. I recommended Rangpur Tanqueray
- 1.5 ounces tonic water : 1 standard jigger. I recommended Fever Tree Tonic Water
- 1 ounces club soda or seltzer water : 2 measures of the small side of a standard jigger
- 1 lemon twist or 2 drops of lemon juice
Instructions
- Put ice in a nice high-ball glass
- Use a standard jigger to add the gin, tonic and soda. I keep my gin in the freezer, so that its absolutely chilled and also use chilled tonic and soda.
- Twist and add a lemon peel or a full lemon slice to the glass. You can alternatively put a few drops of lemon juice.
- Stir gently and sip away!
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been updated with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips.
Freida says
Thanks for the recipe. I've been doing low carb for a few weeks to control my blood sugar after a severe reaction to a new and expensive diabetes medicine for put me in the ICU. It's working wonders but we are about to go on vacation and I'm craving g&t by the pool. Looking forward to trying this. I've been drinking brut champagne after reading it's low carb but sun and pool screams g&t to me!!!
Aneesha says
I hope you enjoy this one Freida!
Ashley says
Have you tried diet tonic and club soda? I know under 4 carbs isn't much but with only 20 carbs a day that's high for just one drink (For Me lol).
Aneesha says
I hear ya! I tried diet tonic but that had an aftertaste, which is what led me to experiment with regular tonic + club soda. But I'm glad it's working for you- cheers!
Al says
You just discovered the “gin sonic” (soda/tonic)
Aneesha says
LoL! Thank you, had no clue this even existed! I learn something new each day 🙂
AL says
You got it. Thanks for the Rangpur tip ????
Aneesha says
You're most welcome! We love Rangpur, made Gimlets last weekend 🙂
Tolga says
Thanks Aneesha
Youre of great help and gin tonic my favourite!
Aneesha says
Hi Tolga, you're most welcome! Glad you enjoyed this recipe. Cheers!
Gary says
Thank you for saving my happy hour. My wife and I have happy hour around 5:00 almost every day. I wanted to go low card and thought I was not going to be able to have my GT but your recipe saved me and I wanted to thank you. Just fixed myself one and it is great!!!????
Aneesha says
Hi Gary, that is the sweetest comment I have ever received! That is so cool that you and your wife have a happy hour at home! I need to start that with my husband now 🙂 And I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe. My husband and I started experimenting with our drinks when we started our low carb diet and really enjoyed this version too! Cheers to more and THANK YOU for taking the time to comment 🙂
Gary Timm says
I’ve been on low carb diet for 2 months now. I bought some Perrier and lime water. It tasted so good I thought of adding some beefeater and I think it’s great. No carbs, and low calorie. I even add a little more lime twist. Refreshing on hot days! No guilt!
Aneesha says
Sounds yum, thanks Gary! Gotta try that!
Matt says
Try it with your choice of crystal light, zero carbs.
Aneesha | Spice Cravings says
Hi Matt, You've got me curious now. Will try it over the weekend 🙂 Thanks for the tip!
Mike says
I was adding water, but will try club soda now. Rangpur Tanqueray makes this work better, since it has a bit of fruitiness already. I also found the Fever Tree Light Tonic is really tasty. It is likely just tonic + club soda, and I can save money by mixing myself.
aneeshasg says
Hi Mike, Oh yes, you'll be able to tell the difference when you switch from water to club soda. I hope you love this version! Thank you!
Sheryl A. Fisher says
Just curious...why not just replace regular Tonic Water with Diet Tonic Water?
aneeshasg says
Hi Sheryl, I tired that several times, but diet-tonic has an after-taste, probably from the artificial sweetener, that I did not like at all. It takes away from this refreshing cocktail 🙂