Okay, I posted a thread on here not too long ago about alcohol. I am not minding anything about this WOE at all (except maybe drinking all the water - gag), however, my gf and I like to get together about once every six weeks and cocktails are part of it. That is the only time I really want to drink. I usually have three wines in an evening. We are looking to get together soon and I don’t want to drink water, like I did the last time I got together with a different friend. I would have no problem limiting my alcohol consumption to once very six weeks, however, I am so afraid I am going to go off ketosis. On the other hand, I think I have to figure out a way I can sustain this WOE long term and enjoy these few things every once in a while. Can anyone relate to wanting to have cocktails every now and then?
Permission
No one can give you permission but yourself. If it’s worth it, just deal with the consequences. Bear in mind, the longer you’re on Keto, the more of a lightweight you’ll become.
I don’t see the problem. If you want to have beer - then just deal with the consequence of the carbs.
… else …
Have at it - all hard liquors are good (no added flavors e.g. spiced rum) - just watch the mixers. Gin & Tonic - No bueno since tonic is sugar loaded (diet tonic is icky) Any hard liquor neat is fine. A couple glasses of dry red/white wine - ok (not port, white zin, dessert wines etc.)
Obviously not
ideal but according to MFP, an entire bottle of this (delicious!) white wine is 18.1g carbs. You will probably get kicked out of ketosis but only for a few hours so I wouldn’t be too worried about it! Hope you have a great night! 
If you are going to do it and worried about ketones - just fast beforehand and take a long fasted walk the next morning.
Just be careful about using this sort of hack too often - becomes a slippery slope.
I drink 3 glasses of dry red (Cabernet) once a month or every 6 weeks. I get a buzz. It does not drop me out of ketosis but I feel bad the next day unless I drink a lot of water in the middle of the night. Sometimes totally worth it.
The liver burns the alcohol out before fat. So you stop fat burning for the x hrs it takes. I usually eat the next day and then fast for a day or two after. I use to drinks several times a week before strict keto.
You and only you can give yourself permission.
And since 750 mL is intended to be 5 servings, that limits the amount of carbohydrate per serving.
That was my understanding, too, but in a recent lecture I saw, Dr. Phinney says that metabolizing alcohol doesn’t interfere with ketogenesis.
I drink occasionally. Red wine or bourbon. Usually no more than two drinks per occasion. I seem to tolerate it pretty well. Just keep amounts moderate, and don’t do it in a situation where the alcohol will trigger you to eat the wrong things.
Brut Champagne is really low on the carb scale too. If you’re going to drink wine just once in a while why not make it a celebration? Cheers 
There is a difference between sugar laden cocktails and a few glasses of red wine which can be enjoyed now and then. Yes it does stall your weight loss a little but all of life is a balance. The important thing is to consider it so that it is a planned deviation.
Personally I am on this WOE for life so a bit of a stall now and then in order to enjoy time with friends without stressing is worth it to me.
Its a personal choice.
I firmly believe that a joie de vivre is essential to good health and happiness!
Have a lovely evening!
I haven’t heard that before but, for most, I think the important point is that while the liver is dealing with alcohol - it might not be dealing with fat.
I am late to reply, but I find merlot or cabernet does not knock me out of ketosis. If it does it’s short lived. I have a couple glasses once a week or so. Now on the slippery slope of fasting and trying to consume the amounts prior to keto, let me tell ya it is not a road you want to travel. Case in point, I went to a Saint Paddy’s Day festival Saturday, I decided since I’m near my goal weight and I enjoy IPA so much that I would imbibe a few and fast on Sunday. I had eggs, bacon and sausage that morning. All I remember about the festival is maybe the first 2 to 3 beers. I blacked out! Thank goodness my husband was with me and got me home safely. I was very sick for well over 24 hours. I could not hold anything down. I finally began to feel better this morning! Almost 36 hours of feeling like I was dying! Enjoy your wine, I promise you that you will benefit from the pleasure and relaxation a lot more than the few hours of ketosis you may miss out on (if any.) Just be weary of the fact that alcohol affects us a lot quicker than pre-keto. I used to drink a 12 pack of IPA with no problem 
Three glasses of wine won’t ruin your life, but it most likely will take you out of ketosis. You have to decide if it’s worth it. If you’re looking for some cocktail options without as many carbs (your liver still has to deal with the alcohol):
- Bourbon or whiskey with a bit of water or soda
- Rum and diet coke (add a lime)
- Martini (vodka, gin, dirty, Gibson, etc., but not the fruit-tini non-Martinis)
- Vesper (gin, vodka, & Lillet combined)
- Lime Rickey (gin or vodka, plus plain lime juice and sparkling water)
I had a few glasses of cab franc last night toasting a recently passed in law. I only drink a bottle of wine over two days every 4 to 6 weeks. I felt like shit this morning. I think it was dehydration. I drank 16 oz of water and a cup of black coffee and downed 2 ibuprofen. 30 minutes later felt a lot better. My drinking has slowed down a lot on strict keto and now I remember why.
Eric I couldn’t keep water down! Nor Gatorade Zero or even Pedialyte! I had a severe case of alcohol poisoning lol. I do find a glass or two of a good wine gives me a nice buzz and I can’t drink the cheap stuff at all anymore. I guess we can count that as another keto NSV.
P/S Sorry for the loss of your in-law 
Since ketones are intermediate products of fat metabolism, then there is nothing to fear, if Dr. Phinney is right about alcohol metabolism not interfering with ketogenesis.
That was my understanding, too, but in a recent lecture I saw, Dr. Phinney says that metabolizing alcohol doesn’t interfere with ketogenesis.
No advice here, just my experience. I used to drink about 3/4 bottle of wine a day (often more), regular as clockwork. I hardly had a day off booze for 30 years.
5 years ago, I thought I might be an alcoholic, so to prove to myself that I wasn’t hooked, I went a week with no booze. I found I did it easy. And more than that I actually felt much better without the alcohol.
So, I went another week without any, same story, and then another week, and another… and so on. I am now on week 250 or so with no booze. Never touched a drop since that first week. Why? Simply that I feel so much better without it.
I now never miss it, never crave it, and never have to worry about how to get home without drink driving!
I would recommend abstaining to anyone. Obviously all personal choice. But I found a better place without it, and some others may also benefit from at least a period without it.
Just a thought.