Yes, tequila is keto-friendly. Zero carbs, zero sugar, won’t break ketosis. Learn which tequilas work best, keto-friendly mixers to use, and low-carb cocktail recipes.
Yes, pure 100% agave tequila is completely keto-friendly. Zero carbs, zero sugar, zero impact on ketosis. Tequila ranks among the cleanest spirits for low-carb lifestyles.
Eighteen percent of Americans tried a high-protein diet in the past year, with 4% specifically following keto. If you’re among these dieters, then you can happily drink tequila without breaking your macros. Just keep in mind that while the spirit stays keto-friendly, the mixers you add to it might not
This guide covers why tequila works on keto, what to watch out for, the best zero-carb mixers, and keto-friendly cocktail recipes that keep you in ketosis.
Yes, tequila is keto-friendly because it contains zero carbs and zero sugar. Pure 100% agave tequila won’t kick you out of ketosis. The tequila distillation process converts agave sugars into alcohol during fermentation, then strips out everything except alcohol and water during distillation.
Tequila is in the same zero-carb category as vodka, whiskey, rum, and gin. All distilled spirits lose their sugars during production. With North America driving 37.6% of the global ketogenic diet market in 2024, keto dieters need to know which drinks fit their macros. Tequila does.
One hundred percent agave tequila guarantees zero additives. Check the label for those words and you’re good.
The real problem is the mixers and cocktails. Margarita mix packs 24 grams of sugar per four ounces. Orange juice adds ten grams of carbs. Grapefruit soda brings 32 grams. Tequila contains zero sugar naturally, but cocktails destroy that advantage.
Here’s what you’re getting in a standard pour of tequila:
All 97 calories come from alcohol at seven calories per gram. No carbs, no sugar, no fat, no protein. Just alcohol and water.
Tequila won’t spike your blood sugar or trigger an insulin response. The zero-carb profile means your body stays in ketosis while processing the alcohol. Vodka, whiskey, rum, and gin show identical numbers. All distilled spirits are keto-friendly from a macro perspective.
This applies to pure, unflavored tequila only. Flavored varieties contain added sugars that destroy the zero-carb advantage. Stick to 100% agave versions and see tequila’s complete nutritional breakdown for different serving sizes and more detailed information.
Tequila won’t kick you out of ketosis, but alcohol does affect how your body burns fat. Your liver treats alcohol like a toxin and prioritizes processing it above everything else. While your liver handles the alcohol, fat burning hits pause. This isn’t the same as eating carbs.
Carbs restore glycogen and actually disrupt ketosis by giving your body glucose to burn instead of fat. Alcohol just pauses the fat-burning process temporarily. No glycogen gets restored. No ketosis gets broken. Once your liver finishes processing the alcohol, fat burning resumes exactly where it left off.
Moderation is important here. One or two drinks won’t derail your progress. Excessive drinking will slow results because your liver will spend hours processing alcohol instead of burning fat. Fifty-three percent of Americans now consider moderate drinking bad for health, according to a 2025 Gallup poll. That awareness means more people want to minimize health impacts when they do drink. Choosing zero-carb spirits like tequila helps.
Alcohol also lowers inhibitions. That’s when the real keto damage happens. Chips, queso, tortillas, and other carb-heavy snacks suddenly look appealing after drink three. The tequila stays keto-friendly. Your decisions after drinking it might not be.
Not all tequila works equally well for keto. Here’s what to look for.
Always check the label for “100% agave” before buying. That phrase guarantees zero carbs and no hidden sugars. Health-conscious consumers now make up 33% of premium spirit purchasers, with these buyers specifically favoring clean labels and transparent sourcing. One hundred percent agave tequila delivers exactly that.
Nearly three in four consumers globally now reconsider purchases based on ingredient lists. When the label says 100% agave, you know what you’re getting. Pure tequila with nothing added.
Mango, strawberry, coconut, and other flavored varieties usually contain added sugars that destroy the zero-carb advantage. These bottles can pack five to ten grams of carbs per serving. Stick to pure, unflavored versions. And good news for those with other dietary restrictions: tequila is also naturally gluten-free.
All tequila types have zero carbs regardless of aging time. Blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo. Pick based on taste preference, not carb concerns. Oak aging adds flavor, not carbohydrates.
Pure tequila is zero carb. Mixers are where keto dieters get into trouble.
No added sugar ranks as the most important better-for-you claim consumers watch for when buying spirits. Low-calorie and no-added-sugar claims on alcoholic beverages have nearly tripled in the past five years in the US. That awareness matters when you’re mixing drinks.
Best keto-friendly mixers for tequila:
Mixers to avoid when doing keto:
You don’t have to drink tequila straight to stay in ketosis. These cocktails keep carbs minimal whilst letting you chase your tequila with something smoother.
The classic gets a makeover with sugar-free sweeteners and fresh citrus.
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The easiest keto-friendly cocktail you can make.
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Mexico’s favorite cocktail goes keto with sugar-free grapefruit soda.
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Keep these tips in mind to enjoy tequila without stalling your keto progress:
León Y Sol is 100% blue Weber agave from Los Altos de Jalisco. Zero carbs, zero sugar, zero additives. No artificial flavors or sweeteners that could mess with your ketosis. What’s in the bottle is agave, water, and time in American and French oak barrels. Nothing else.
Highland agave from volcanic soil creates natural sweetness without adding carbohydrates. Clean enough to sip neat when you want something simple. Versatile enough for keto cocktails when you want more complexity. When you’re watching every macro and tracking every gram, you need a tequila with nothing to hide. León Y Sol delivers exactly that.
Pure 100% agave tequila is completely keto-friendly. Zero carbs, zero sugar, zero problems. Watch the mixers. Skip the flavored varieties. Stick to clean spirits that fit your macros without compromise.
Try León Y Sol for a keto-approved pour that delivers quality without hidden additives.
Zero. Pure 100% agave tequila contains no carbohydrates. All calories come from alcohol at seven calories per gram. Check the label for “100% agave” to guarantee zero carbs.
No, tequila on its own won’t kick you out of ketosis. Tequila has zero carbs so it won’t disrupt ketosis. Alcohol temporarily pauses fat burning while your liver processes it, but ketosis resumes once the alcohol is cleared.
Any 100% agave tequila works for keto. Blanco, reposado, and añejo all have zero carbs. Avoid flavored varieties with added sugars. Choose your tequila based on your taste preference, not carb content.
Yes, you can have a margarita on keto if you use fresh lime juice and sugar-free sweeteners instead of traditional margarita mix. Pre-made mixes pack 24 grams of sugar per serving. Make it fresh or skip it.
Tequila and vodka are nutritionally identical for keto. Both have zero carbs and zero sugar. However, tequila is most commonly enjoyed pure while vodka tends to come in flavored varieties that contain sugar and other additives that make it keto-unfriendly. Quality 100% agave tequila is always the way to go for people doing keto.
