Here is the problem with most diet books: they assume you are willing to give up everything that makes life fun. Keto Cocktails (2018) by Tasha Metcalf and Lain Bagwell takes the opposite approach. It is a cocktail book written for people on the keto diet — 75 low-carb, low-sugar drink recipes that let you keep your social life without blowing your macros. It is practical, fun, and genuinely useful.
About the authors
Tasha Metcalf is a food and drink writer and the creator of the blog Keto Cocktails, where she has spent years developing low-carb drink recipes. Lain Bagwell is a writer and editor who has worked across food, travel, and lifestyle media. Together they wrote Keto Cocktails as a practical guide for the growing community of keto dieters who did not want to give up cocktails — they wanted better ones.
What the book covers
The book opens with the essentials: what keto is, how alcohol fits into a ketogenic diet, and the science of why sugar-free mixers matter. It explains net carbs, sweeteners (and which ones are actually keto-friendly), and the basic tools and ingredients you need to build a low-carb home bar.
Then come the 75 recipes, organized by spirit: vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, and a section of zero-proof and low-ABV options. There are classics reimagined — a keto Margarita, a low-carb Moscow Mule, a sugar-free Old Fashioned — alongside original creations. Every recipe includes carb counts, so you know exactly what you are drinking.
What works
- The recipes are genuinely good, not just keto-compromises. The authors clearly tested them.
- The carb counts on every recipe make it easy to stay on plan.
- The sweetener guidance is practical — it tells you what to buy and why.
- The book is beginner-friendly. You do not need a home bar to start.
What does not work
- Some recipes call for specialty ingredients (specific sugar-free syrups, niche bitters) that take effort to source.
- If you are not on keto, the carb-counting focus is less relevant — though the recipes are still good drinks.
Who should read it
Read it if you are on keto (or low-carb) and miss cocktails. Read it if you host parties and want to offer drinks everyone can enjoy. Read it if you are simply curious how to make a great-tasting drink without the sugar.
Verdict
4 out of 5. A practical, well-tested cocktail book that solves a real problem: how to drink on keto without wrecking your progress. The recipes are solid, the guidance is clear, and the carb counts make it effortless to stay on plan. If you are keto and you like cocktails, this book is worth its weight in sugar-free syrup.
Frequently asked questions
What is Keto Cocktails about?
A cocktail recipe book with 75 low-carb, low-sugar drink recipes designed for people on the ketogenic diet, including carb counts for every drink.
Who wrote Keto Cocktails?
Tasha Metcalf, creator of the Keto Cocktails blog, and writer Lain Bagwell.
Are the cocktails actually keto-friendly?
Yes — every recipe is designed to be low in net carbs, with carb counts listed so you can track them.
Do I need special equipment?
No — the book covers basic bar tools and includes recipes for every skill level.
Is Keto Cocktails good for non-keto readers?
Yes — the recipes are good drinks regardless, but the carb-counting focus is most useful to keto and low-carb readers.
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