If you’re mindful about what you eat and drink, it makes sense to pay attention to what’s in your can too. Low-carb alcohol makes that choice a little simpler, giving you an option without the sugar and carbs found in many traditional premixes.
But what is low-carb alcohol? How can a drink contain no sugar or carbs and still deliver plenty of flavour? Here’s a quick primer on low-carb alcohol, where we’ll unpack how it’s made, what goes into it and what to look for when choosing your next drink.
Because choosing something lighter on sugar and carbs shouldn’t mean missing out on flavour.
How can we even make low-carb alcohol?
Different types of alcohol carry different nutritional profiles. For example, wine and beer can both contain carbohydrates as a result of how they’re made. Many premixes also contain sugar or other ingredients that increase the calorie, carb and sugar content. So, finding good low-carb alcohol that still tastes great isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.
We’re pretty obsessed with creating a great premix, so we approach the challenge from two angles: the spirit, or the actual alcohol, and the flavours that go with it.
Choosing the right spirit
Plenty of great spirits can make delicious premixes, but not all of them suit that light, refreshing style we’re after. We wanted to choose clear spirits that are naturally carb-free and use them as the basis for our premixes. So, we went with vodka and gin as our base spirits.
From there, it’s all about creating the right balance of flavour and fizz for an easy-drinking result.
Using fruit essences and extracts
We often get questions about how we keep our range sugar- and carb-free while still creating fruity flavours.
The answer is fruit essences and extracts. They let us create fresh, fruit-forward flavours without relying on the sugar you’d typically find in juices or full-sugar mixers. That means you can enjoy all that flavour without adding sugar or carbs to your drink.
With those two aspects sorted, you have the foundations for a whole range of refreshing low-carb alcohol premixes.
Benefits of Choosing Low-Carb Alcohol & Premixes
If you’re going to have a drink, choosing low-carb alcohol can be an easy way to be more mindful about what’s in your can.
Here are a few reasons people are making the switch.
Stay clear on your goals
This is the big one. Whether you're eating low carb, following a particular way of eating or simply trying to be more mindful about your sugar intake, traditional premixes may not always fit the plan.
Sugar and carbohydrates can quickly add up across cocktails, mixers and premixed drinks, particularly if you’re having more than one.
Choosing an option with no sugar and no carbs takes the guesswork out. You can check the label, know what’s in your drink and make a choice that suits you.
Skip the unnecessary sugar
A spirit might naturally contain no carbohydrates, but that can change quickly once you add juices, syrups, soft drinks, and other sweetened mixers. These ingredients often contain sugar, which is a carbohydrate, so a drink that starts with a carb-free spirit can end up containing both sugar and carbohydrates once mixed.
That’s why it pays to look at the finished drink rather than the spirit alone. Choosing a low-carb alcohol option that is also low or no sugar can help reduce both, as removing added sugar also removes one of the main sources of carbohydrates in many mixed drinks.
At Clean Collective, we take this approach by using natural fruit essences to create our fruit-forward flavours rather than fruit juice or sugary mixers. This allows us to deliver refreshing flavour without adding sugar or carbohydrates to the finished drink.
Of course, no sugar doesn’t change the fact that alcohol is alcohol. Drink responsibly, pace yourself, stay hydrated and make sure you eat properly along the way.
Low-carb alcohol? Cheers to that.
No sugar, no carbs, natural flavours. That’s it. That’s the drink.
At Clean Collective, we’re obsessed with making great-tasting drinks without loading them up with sugar and carbs. Explore our low-carb alcohol and clean energy drinks online, or find your nearest stockist today.
