Ever since my diabetes diagnosis, I’ve been searching for sugar-free alternatives to the things I love. One of the hardest to give up? A refreshing ice-cold beer or a smooth single malt whiskey on the rocks. At first, I thought those drinks were off-limits, but did you know there are plenty of sugar-free alcoholic drinks out there? Some are definitely better than others.
To make this list, a drink must be completely sugar-free and as low in carbs as possible. Sadly, that’s why only one beer made the cut. Ready to find your next guilt-free drink? Let’s dive in.
Busch Light Beer
Busch Light is the best choice for a sugar-free beer. It has 0 grams of sugar and only 3.2 grams of carbohydrates per 12-ounce can. For anyone watching their sugar intake, this is the best you can pick up based on all the beers I looked at for this list.
I’ll be the first to admit that it doesn’t taste as good as full-flavor beers packing sugars and depth, but it was never going to come out on top in flavor tests. Yet, this list is about sugar-free alcoholic drinks, and it’s the best of the bunch. If you want something cheap, light, crisp, and sugar-free, Busch Light is worth considering.
Related: 9 Healthy Sodas That You Can Enjoy Guilt-Free in 2025
Un’Sweet White Pinot Grigio
Un’Sweet White Pinot Grigio is a zero-sugar wine that offers a fresh fruit taste with hints of honeysuckle, fig, and pear. Each 5-ounce (148 ml) serving contains approximately 113 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates.
Despite the name, this white wine tastes sweet, perfect for moments when that part of your taste palette needs satisfying. However, it’s not the hints of pear that stand out to me, but the taste of apples and citrus. The fact it satisfies sweet cravings briefly and contains no sugar per glass is fantastic. It’s the perfect white wine if you’re craving a quick sweet fix.
Whiskey on the Rocks
Whiskey, whether it’s bourbon, Scotch, or rye, contains no sugar or carbohydrates. A standard 1.5-ounce serving has about 97 calories, making this alcoholic drink one of the best sugar-free options going.
I love whiskey and have amassed a very respectable collection over the years. This is without a doubt my drink of choice, always on the rocks, as you don’t want to spoil the flavor. What I didn’t know before I was diagnosed with diabetes was that whiskey is completely sugar-free. I’d always assumed most spirits had at least some sugar, especially given how smooth and rich whiskey can taste. If you’re looking for zero-sugar alcoholic drinks, consider whiskey on the rocks.
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Sunny with a Chance of Flowers Pinot Noir
Sunny with a Chance of Flowers Pinot Noir is a zero-sugar red wine from Monterey County, California. Each 5-ounce serving contains 85 calories and 3.4 grams of carbohydrates.
Out of red or white, I’ve always preferred red wine, especially as I love red meat. I’ve never looked into why I like the taste of red wine and red meat, but apparently, it pairs well with protein because the tannins in red wine bind with proteins in food. It’s fantastic that I can still enjoy that combination in moderation, as this red wine is sugar-free and surprisingly affordable.
For those curious, tannins are natural compounds in red wine that taste bitter and make your mouth dry. When you eat protein-rich foods, like red meat, the tannins bind to the proteins in the food rather than the proteins in your saliva. This makes the red wine taste smoother and less bitter.
Vodka and Seltzer
Vodka is a clear spirit that contains no sugar or carbohydrates. A standard 1.5-ounce serving has about 97 calories. This combination makes it a top option on this list.
In my youth, vodka and energy drinks were my go-to spirit combo. I’ve not touched vodka in a long time; however, for this list, my research led me to the discovery that vodka is zero sugar, and if you mix it with seltzer water or a similar mixer, it’s one of the best alcoholic drinks for those seeking a sugar-free option.
Skinny Margarita
A Skinny Margarita is a healthier version of the classic cocktail, made with tequila, fresh lime juice, and a sugar-free sweetener like stevia drops or monk fruit syrup. By avoiding sugary mixers, this drink stays sugar-free while still delivering the refreshing citrus and tequila flavor.
A standard 4-ounce skinny margarita has around 130 calories and less than 2 grams of carbohydrates (depending on how much sweetener you use). Many skinny margarita recipes tell you to use agave syrup, but we recommend stevia drops or monk fruit syrup if your goal is to keep this cocktail sugar-free.
Unlike agave nectar, which is high in fructose, stevia and monk fruit are natural sweeteners that contain zero sugar and have no impact on blood sugar levels.
Finding this combination out and about is impossible, so it might be something you can only enjoy at home. The important thing to note is that this cocktail tastes just like the original, and as my wife loves a margarita, that’s high praise indeed.
Also Read: 9 Tips to Eating Healthy on a Tight Budget
Gin and Diet Tonic
Gin contains no sugar or carbohydrates. A standard 1.5-ounce glass has about 97 calories. When mixed with diet tonic water, which also contains no sugar or carbs, you have a drink that’s around 120 calories and sugar-free.
For years, every Christmas and birthday, my wife would receive a bottle of flavored gin, and as we’re both hitting middle-age, that’s a lot of gin built up. Weirdly, she hates the taste of unflavored gin, so this drink makes the list purely on the back it’s sugar-free. So, if you enjoy gin, know that it’s not going to spike your sugars (not if you drink it with a diet tonic that is).
Pure The Winery Rose
Pure The Winery Rose contains zero sugar and no carbohydrates. Each 5-ounce glass has approximately 81 calories, which according to the company is 30% fewer calories compared to traditional wines with higher alcohol and sugar content. It’s also vegan and all-natural.
We had a couple of bottles over Christmas to test it out with family. We picked it because it was about the only rose I could find that wasn’t over the top with sugars and didn’t cost a silly amount of money (less than $20 per bottle). We had family over, got through the bottles, and no one complained about its taste. It was very sweet and recommended if you like peaches and apricots, which you can taste almost instantly.
Tequila on the Rocks
Pure tequila, especially when labeled as “100% agave,” contains no sugar and no carbohydrates. A 1.5-ounce glass has about 97 calories. I know earlier in the list I wrote that you should avoid agave syrup when making a skinny margarita, but this is different:
Despite being made from the agave plant, tequila is sugar-free because the fermentation process converts all-natural sugars into alcohol. The distillation also removes any leftover sugar. In comparison, agave syrup retains its sugar content.
The truth is, outside of parties back in my youth or my wife’s penchant for margaritas, I’ve not touched straight tequila for decades. So, like gin and diet tonic, this isn’t a drink I tasted as part of this list. But if you enjoy tequila, 100% agave tequila on the rocks is a solid sugar-free option.
Related: 11 Healthiest Alcoholic Drinks, According to Nutritionists
2021 LifeVine Pinot Noir
LifeVine’s 2021 Pinot Noir is a zero-sugar wine with an alcohol content of 13.2%. Each 5-ounce glass contains approximately 116 calories. I know this is the second red wine on this list, but I had to include it because the brand LifeVine delivers fantastic zero-sugar options.
This Pinot Noir is probably the best of the bunch. The issue with this is that they don’t ship all over the country, making their wines sometimes more difficult to find. If you’re in a state where you can find one of their wines and need zero sugar, you should check them out
