Guest Author - Lisa Shea

If you enjoy a cocktail before dinner, or a glass of wine with your steak, you'll be happy to know that most alcohols are zero carb! This list is for straight alcohols, like beer, wine, gin, etc.

The carb counts given here are effective carb counts, with the fiber removed. All amounts here are for a 1oz shot, except as indicated.

Armagnac - 0g
Beer (12oz) - 12.5g
Bourbon - 0g
Brandy - 0g
Cognac - 0g
Gin - 0g
Rum - 0g
Scotch - 0g
Tequila - 0g
Vermouth, Dry - 1.4g
Vermouth, Sweet - 4.5g
Vodka - 0g
Whiskey - 0g
Wine, Red (4oz) - 2.0g
Wine, White (4oz) - 0.9g

Note that there are of course mixed drinks that involve fruit juices, sugars, and other sweet concoctions. If you start mixing in sodas or juices for a cocktail, you're racking up the carbs very quickly. Use a diet soda whenever possible!

It's important to comment here that alcohol does have CALORIES. Alcohol, along with fats, carbohydrates and proteins, are one of the four "energy sources" for the human body. All four provide calories. It's important for you to understand how calories and carbohydrates differ, and what matters for the diet you're following.

For more carb counts for every food item and drink, visit the Low Carb Website.