Is Tequila Keto? Carbs in Tequila (Blanco & Reposado)
How many carbs are in tequila? Pure tequila has zero carbs and about 97 calories per shot. Why tequila is keto-friendly and the best low-carb ways to drink it.
Nutrition Writer · July 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Pure tequila has zero carbs and about 97 calories per 1.5 oz shot, so blanco, reposado, and añejo are all keto-friendly. The agave sugars are fermented and distilled away, leaving a carb-free spirit — every carb in a tequila drink comes from the mixer, not the tequila. Here's the breakdown and how to drink it low-carb.
Carbs and calories in tequila
| Tequila (1.5 oz) | Carbs | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Blanco (silver) | 0g | ~97 |
| Reposado | 0g | ~97 |
| Añejo | 0g | ~97 |
| 100% agave | 0g | ~97 |
| Flavored tequila | 3–6g+ | ~108+ |
Like all distilled spirits, tequila comes out of the still with no sugar or carbohydrates. Watch out only for flavored tequilas and pre-made tequila cocktails, which add sugar.
Isn't tequila made from sugar (agave)?
It is — and that trips people up. Tequila is distilled from the agave plant, which is high in sugar. But fermentation converts those sugars to alcohol, and distillation leaves the rest behind, so the finished spirit has zero sugar and zero carbs. Don't confuse tequila with agave syrup (a sweetener that's almost all sugar) — the syrup is what makes a "skinny" margarita not actually keto.
Why tequila is keto-friendly
Tequila adds zero net carbs to your day, so the only question is what you mix it with:
- Tequila neat or on the rocks: ~0g ✅
- Tequila soda + lime: ~0g ✅
- Ranch water (tequila + lime + sparkling water): ~1g ✅
- Keto margarita (sugar-free sweetener): ~3g ✅
- Paloma with diet grapefruit soda: ~2g ✅
- Classic margarita (mix): ~24–36g ❌
- Regular paloma (Squirt/Fresca full-sugar): ~30g+ ❌
The best low-carb tequila drinks
Ranch water — ~1g net carbs
The keto tequila drink. Combine 1.5 oz tequila, the juice of half a lime, and sparkling mineral water (Topo Chico or club soda) over ice. Crisp, refreshing, and about 1g of carbs — it's basically a tequila soda with extra lime.
Keto margarita — ~3g
Swap the sugary mix for tequila, fresh lime, water, and a sugar-free sweetener (monk fruit or allulose) with a salt rim. See the full keto margarita recipe — about 3g versus 30g+ for the bar version.
Skinny paloma — ~2g
Tequila, fresh lime, and a splash of diet or zero-sugar grapefruit soda (or grapefruit sparkling water). A regular paloma made with full-sugar Squirt runs 30g+, so the diet swap is what keeps it keto.
Drinking tequila on keto
Tequila won't add carbs, but the alcohol still pauses fat-burning while your body processes it, and it tends to hit faster and harder in ketosis. Sip slowly, alternate with water, and don't let a few rounds loosen your grip on food carbs later.
The easiest way to keep drinks keto is to track them. CarbMeNot shows the net carbs for spirits, mixers, and cocktails and logs them from a photo — free on iOS and Android. See carbs in vodka, carbs in whiskey, and keto cocktails, and check any drink with the free Is It Keto? tool.
Frequently asked questions
- How many carbs are in tequila?
- Pure tequila — blanco, reposado, or añejo — has zero carbs. A 1.5 oz shot has about 97 calories, all from the alcohol, with no sugar or carbohydrates. The agave sugars are fermented and distilled out, so 100% agave tequila is carb-free. Flavored tequilas can have added sugar, so check those.
- Is tequila keto-friendly?
- Yes — tequila has zero carbs, so it's one of the most keto-friendly drinks. Sip it neat or on the rocks, or mix it with soda water and lime. The carbs only appear when you add margarita mix, juice, or regular soda.
- How many calories are in a shot of tequila?
- A 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof tequila has about 97 calories. Higher-proof bottles run a little more (110–125 for 90–100 proof), since the calories come from the alcohol content.
- Does tequila have sugar or carbs from agave?
- No. Tequila is made by fermenting and distilling agave, which removes the sugars — the finished spirit has zero sugar and zero carbs. This is different from agave syrup (a sweetener), which is nearly all sugar.
- What's the best low-carb tequila drink?
- A tequila soda or 'ranch water' (tequila, fresh lime, and sparkling water) is about 1g of carbs and the most keto-friendly way to drink tequila. A keto margarita made with a sugar-free sweetener is around 3g. Avoid classic margaritas (24–36g) and palomas made with regular grapefruit soda.
Sources
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