Updated: October 13th 2023
There is nothing quite like enjoying a refreshing beer or sipping a glass of wine. However, alcohol can impact blood sugar levels and cause blood sugar fluctuations, which is dangerous when living with diabetes. Thankfully, there are non-alcoholic drinks that have low sugar and carbs and still taste good.
Read on for our recommendations on eleven diabetic-friendly non-alcoholic drinks that are more than just water or unsweetened tea – from spirits, beers, and wines.
Can Diabetics Drink Non-Alcoholic Drinks?
Yes, diabetics can drink non-alcoholic drinks, as long as you stick to zero or low carbs and sugar non-alcoholic options.
If you enjoy drinking alcohol — or you’re tired of drinking water all the time — avoid alcoholic drink options and instead opt for a non-alcoholic beer, wine, or mixer with zero or low carbs and sugar.
You would also want to avoid non-alcoholic drinks with added sugar such as glucose. Some non-alcoholic drinks are sugar-sweetened in order to enhance the flavor after the alcohol is removed. Sugar-sweetened non-alcoholic drinks are absorbed into your bloodstream much faster than sugar-free drinks.
Also Read: Can Diabetics Drink Alcohol-Free Beer? Learn The Facts!
Are Non-Alcoholic Drinks High In Sugar?
No, not all non-alcoholic drinks are high in sugar. In general, most non-alcoholic drinks contain less carbs and sugar than soda or even fruit juices.
For example, a typical 12 oz can of soda contains about 39 g of carbs, whereas an average can of non-alcoholic beer would have a few grams of carbs and sugar.
What Is Good Non-Alcoholic Drink For Diabetics?
A good non-alcoholic drink for diabetics is a drink with zero or low sugar. You would also want to avoid drinks with high carbs since carbs convert to sugar.
Drinks with a high amount of sugar can cause hyperglycemia or high blood sugar, which can cause you to become severely dehydrated and enter a diabetic coma.
If you’re sick of sticking only to water, low-fat milk, or unsweetened tea and coffee, then you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of exciting sugar-free non-alcoholic drink options.
Non-Alcoholic Spirits For Diabetics
Seedlip Spice 94 Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirit
Seedlip Spice 94 is the perfect non-alcoholic spirit for diabetic since it is sugar, calorie, and sweetener-free.
Made from an aromatic blend of All Spice, Green Cardamom, Cascarilla, and fresh citrus fruits, serve it on ice with ice Indian tonic water or ginger ale and a dash of lemon juice. You can find Seedlip served in cocktail bars, Michelin-starred restaurants, and luxury hotels around the world.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Proof No More (within the United States) and Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Optimist Botanicals
Optimist Botanicals makes a line of zero-proof spirit alternatives inspired by the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Los Angeles. The company uses a whopping 10 to 15 types of botanicals in each flavor, then distills and extracts the final product.
- Bright – A vodka alternative with heavy notes of citrus, jasmine, and herbs. Mix with tonic or sparkling water for a thirst-quenching, zero-sugar mocktail.
- Smokey – A tequila alternative that will blow you over with its woody, citrusy, and spicy notes.
- Fresh – An extra-herby gin alternative featuring notes of cilantro, fennel, and basil.
Order Optimist Botanicals from the Optimist Botanicals website (within the United States).
Non-Alcoholic Beers For Diabetics
Partake Brewing Pale Ale
Hailing from Canada, Partake Brewing Pale Ale contains just 10 calories, 0g of carbs, and 0g of sugar in each 12oz/355 mL serving.
This pale ale is brewed using only natural ingredients, including water, barley, hops, and yeast. Expect flavors like orange zest and grapefruit, with a slight bitterness that’s softened by the sweetness of caramel malts.
People love the taste of this pale ale, and it has even won Best Beverage at the 2018 Grocery and Speciality Food West Show. Read our full review of the Partake Brewing Pale Ale here.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Budweiser Zero
An American classic, fans of regular Budweiser will be happy to know that Bud Zero tastes almost the same. This American-style lager contains 50 calories, 3.3g of carbs, 0g of sugar per 100ml, making it a perfect alcohol-free beer for diabetics.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Drop Bear Beer Yuzu Pale Ale
If you’re in the UK, you need to try Welsh’s Drop Bear Beer Co. The Drop Bear Beer Yuzu Pale Ale is a great tasting non-alcoholic beer option for diabetics. It contains just 25 calories, 1.3g of carbs, and 0.3g of sugar in each 330 mL serving.
This delightful pale ale is brewed with yuzu extract, US hops (Chinook, Cascade, and Centennial), barley malts, wheat malt, and flaked oats. Caramel malts dominate the flavor profile, followed by a lime-like bitterness from the yuzu that complements the bitterness of the hops.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Dry Drinker (within the UK).
UNLTD. IPA
UK’s UNLTD. is an award-winning NA IPA that contains 13 calories, 3.3g of carbs, and 0.3g of sugar per 330 mL serving.
Brewed using water, yeast, hops, barley malt, and wheat, this IPA has a strong malt flavor with some notes of lightly roasted barley, caramel, and licorice. You’ll also get a subtle hint of lemon and passionfruit.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Wise Bartender (within the UK).
Non-Alcoholic Wines For Diabetics
Thomson & Scott Noughty Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Chardonnay
Based in London and crafted from Chardonnay grapes grown in the vineyards of Southern Spain, this organic vegan sparkling Chardonnay contains 2.9g of sugar per 100ml – almost half the sugar content of other non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
It certainly looks and smells like a Champagne with its hue and crisp apple aroma note. Taste-wise it isn’t too sweet, has a dry finish and is as sparkly as you would expect from a bubbly.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailers Proof No More (within the United States) and ZeroZilchZip (within the UK).
Giesen 0% New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Giesen 0% New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc contains 13 calories, 2.5g of carbs, and 1.8g of sugar per 100ml.
Giesen is an established winemaker in New Zealand, and their non-alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc has a light and zingy mouthfeel, with a dry finish and sour citrus notes. You also get the crisp tartness one would expect from a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Order online from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Other Diabetic-Friendly Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Lagunitas Brewing Hoppy Refresher Non-Alcoholic Seltzer
Lagunitas’ Hoppy Refresher has all the perks of a seltzer (no alcohol, no carbs, no sugar, and no calories) without the boring seltzer taste.
Described as an IPA-inspired refreshment, this drink is bursting with flavorful Citra, Equinox, and Centennial hops guaranteed to wake up your taste buds and leave you feeling refreshed. Read our full review of Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher here.
Order it online from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Leilo Lite “Piña Colada”
If you’re craving a Piña Colada but don’t want the sugar or the alcohol, then check out this sugar-free mocktail by Leilo. Besides having zero sugar and lower calories than many mocktails (only 10 calories), Leilo Lite “Piña Colada” also contains Kava, a natural plant from the South Pacific used for calming the mind.
Order it online directly from Leilo (within the United States).
Dram Sparkling Water
Y’all these may look like basic seltzers, but they’re so much more than that. Dram bills itself as an apothecary and one of its founders is an expert in herbal medicine, so it’s safe to say its sparkling water has little in common with your daily La Croix. Dram makes several zero-sugar drinks including:
- Cardamom & Black Tea – A Good Foods award winner, this sparkling water is perfect right out of the can or as a mixer in your favorite non-alcoholic cocktails.
- Lavender & Lemon Balm – Made with Colorado-grown lavender flowers and lemon balm, this flavor is a pure delight to the senses.
- Citrus & Blossoms – Organic grapefruit, lemon, and lime rinds evoke summer days, no matter the season.
Order Dram Sparkling Water from Dram Apothecary (within the United States).
Find Your New Favorite Sugar Free Non-Alcoholic Drinks
With many diabetic-friendly non-alcoholic drinks available from non-alcoholic beers to wines, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Interested in learning more about non-alcoholic drinks for diabetics? Check out our other resources below: