Low-Carb Frozen Margarita Cocktail

Martina SlajerovaUpdated 18 July 2021★★★★★4.7 (118 ratings)

Ready in 5m
8.1 g net carbs
133 kcal
Serves 1

This post may contain affiliate links, see our disclaimer.

Most cocktail drinks are loaded with sugar and are a "no-no" in low-carb diets. This recipe is not zero-carb but the only sugar you get is from fresh fruits. You can occasionally reward yourself with a treat like this one. If you can't drink alcohol, make it without tequila. You can also try this drink with dark or white rum.

I'm using my Watermelon Sorbet but you can simplify the recipe by using frozen strawberries. to do that, use the following ingredients:

¹/₂ cup frozen strawberries (72 g/ 2.5 oz)
¹/₂ lime, juiced (30 ml)
3-6 drops liquid Stevia extract, powdered Swerve or Erythritol, to taste
1 shot gold tequila (45 ml/ 1.5 fl oz)
¹/₂ cup water or ice
sea salt and lime for garnish

How Does Alcohol Affect Weight Loss?

Several alcoholic drinks are allowed on a low-carb ketogenic diet. You should avoid all drinks high in sugar like sweet wine, beer and most cocktails. So, which drinks are low-carb? Clear spirits such as vodka, whiskey, tequila, etc. are zero-carb, while dry wine is still low-carb if you drink no more than a glass. If there is no medical constraint (such as liver or kidney condition) and you drink in moderation, there is no reason to give up alcohol completely.

Keep in mind that alcohol will slow down your weight loss progress. Even if there is no sugar, your body can't store alcohol as fat - it has to metabolise it. This means that it will utilise alcohol instead of body fat. You also shouldn't have a large dinner and drink alcohol at the same time.

To quote Atkins on the effects of alcohol:

"The body burns alcohol for fuel when alcohol is available. So, when it is burning alcohol, your body will not burn fat. This does not stop weight loss; it simply postpones it. Since alcohol does not get stored as glycogen, you immediately get back into lipolysis after the alcohol is used up. But keep in mind that alcohol consumption may increase yeast-related symptoms in some people and interfere with weight loss. If it does not slow your weight loss, and occasional glass of wine is acceptable once you are out of Induction so long as you count the carbohydrates in your daily tally."

Another point to make is that ketosis lowers your alcohol tolerance and you have to be aware of it. Because alcohol dehydrates your body, always drink a glass of water while having a glass of an alcoholic drink. This will make you drink less alcohol and stay hydrated.

I'm personally careful with alcohol because it makes me hungry and I tend to eat more. So, if you prefer to avoid alcohol, you can always try Virgin Margarita with no tequila.

You can read more about low-carb alcohol in our guide.

Step-by-step

If you have Watermelon Sorbet, take it out of the freezer 20-30 minutes before you start preparing your Margarita and leave at room temperature. Place a cocktail glass in the freezer for at least 20 minutes. This will keep your drink cool for longer.
Place all the ingredients in a blender that can handle ice and pulse until smooth.
Remove the glass from the freezer and spread some lime juice on the rim of your glass. Put the salt into a shallow plate and rim the glass in it.
Garnish with a slice of lime and serve immediately.

Recipe