Quick Answer
Crown Royal whisky can generally be enjoyed in moderation on a keto diet. Most straight whiskeys like Crown Royal contain zero carbs and sugar, making them a keto-friendly liquor option. However, it’s important not to overconsume alcohol on keto, as it can stall weight loss. Enjoy 1-2 servings of Crown Royal per day while following a keto diet.
What is Crown Royal?
Crown Royal is a popular brand of Canadian whisky, first created in 1939 to commemorate King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Canada. It’s a blend of over 50 whiskies, aged a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels. Crown Royal offers several varieties, including Crown Royal Deluxe, Crown Royal Vanilla, Crown Royal Black, Crown Royal Peach, and more. Their signature purple bag and bottle are iconic.
Nutrition Facts for Crown Royal
| Serving Size | 1.5 fl oz (one shot) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 97 |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbs | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, one 1.5 ounce shot of regular Crown Royal whisky contains 97 calories, 0g carbs, 0g fat, and 0g protein. This nutrition profile makes it generally suitable for the ketogenic diet.
Is Alcohol Keto-Friendly?
Hard liquors like whisky, vodka, gin, rum, and tequila tend to be keto-friendly in moderation due to their low carbohydrate and sugar content. However, alcohol is not considered a “keto food” because it can disrupt the ketosis state.
Here’s how alcohol impacts ketosis:
- Alcohol is metabolized first – When consumed, alcohol takes priority for burning before other macronutrients like carbs, fat, and protein. This pauses ketosis while the alcohol is processed.
- Impacts blood sugar – Alcohol causes dips and spikes in blood sugar, which makes maintaining ketosis more difficult.
- Provides “empty” calories – Pure alcohol itself contains 7 calories per gram with no nutritional value. This can also promote fat storage if over-consumed.
For these reasons, alcohol slows down the process of ketosis and should be limited on a keto diet for best results. Low-carb liquors like whisky and vodka are less disruptive in smaller servings.
Is Whisky Keto-Friendly?
Most types of straight whiskey like Crown Royal contain zero carbs or sugar and are considered keto-friendly. “Straight” whiskeys go through minimal processing and do not contain added sugars or flavors. Some examples are:
- Bourbon whiskey
- Tennessee whiskey like Jack Daniels
- Scotch whisky
- Irish whiskey
- Rye whiskey
- Canadian whisky like Crown Royal
On the other hand, flavored whiskeys may contain added carbs or sugars:
- Honey whiskey
- Maple whiskey
- Cinnamon whiskey
- Fruit whiskey
- Vanilla whiskey
If you choose a flavored whiskey, check the nutrition label for carb content. Unflavored spirits like regular Crown Royal whisky are always sugar-free.
Drinking Crown Royal on Keto
Here are some tips for drinking Crown Royal whisky while following a keto diet:
- Stick to 1-2 servings max per day – This equals 1.5-3 ounces.
- Drink slowly and add water – Sipping whisky slowly over ice can help control portions.
- Avoid mixing with sugary additions – Skip high carb mixers like cola, ginger ale, juices, simple syrups.
- Choose low carb mixers – Opt for club soda, water, or zero carb flavorings.
- Don’t drink while in ketosis – Save occasional whiskey for special occasions or carb refeed days.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and symptoms like keto headache or constipation.
Drinking moderate amounts of Crown Royal whisky should not significantly impact ketosis for most people. However, alcohol tolerance varies – pay attention to how your body responds. Signs you may be overdoing it include cravings, appetite increase, fatigue, slowed weight loss, or GI distress.
Cocktail Recipes with Crown Royal for Keto Diet
You can certainly enjoy delicious zero carb cocktails made with Crown Royal whisky while following the keto diet. Here are some popular keto cocktail ideas:
Keto Whisky Sour
- 2 oz Crown Royal whisky
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1⁄2 oz sugar free simple syrup or erythritol
- Dash orange bitters
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
Build in a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with cherry.
Keto Maple Old Fashioned
- 2 oz Crown Royal Northern Harvest whisky
- 2-3 dashes maple flavoring
- Dash aromatic bitters
- Orange twist for garnish
Add maple flavoring and bitters to a rocks glass with ice and stir. Add whisky and stir again until chilled. Garnish with orange twist.
Keto Cranberry Mule
- 1.5 oz Crown Royal whisky
- 3-4 oz sugar free cranberry juice
- Squeeze of lime juice
- 1⁄2 tsp powdered monk fruit sweetener (optional)
- Ginger beer
- Lime wedge garnish
Build whisky, juices, and sweetener over ice in a copper mug. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with lime.
Keto Irish Coffee
- 1.5 oz Crown Royal whisky
- Hot coffee
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
- Sugar free flavoring like vanilla, almond or maple
Brew coffee and pour into an Irish coffee glass or mug. Add whisky and choice of sugar free flavoring. Float heavy cream on top.
Low Carb Crown Royal Cocktail Mixers
To keep Crown Royal whisky keto-friendly, choose low carb mixers like:
- Soda water, club soda, or sparkling mineral water
- Diet tonic or diet ginger ale
- Unsweetened nut milk like almond milk or coconut milk
- Sugar free energy drinks
- Diet cranberry juice
- Sparkling ice water
- Flavored Seltzer water
- Lemon juice, lime juice, or other fresh juices without added sugar
- Cold brew coffee or espresso
Avoid regular sodas, tonic water, juices, and other mixers with added sugars. Also steer clear of cream liqueurs which can be high in carbs.
Keto Alcohol Substitutes for Crown Royal
If regular whisky like Crown Royal is not your preference, consider these other keto-friendly alcohol options:
- Dry wines – Dry red and white wines usually contain under 5g carbs per glass.
- Champagne – Brut, extra brut, and ultra brut champagne are lowest in sugar.
- Vodka – Unflavored vodkas are sugar-free.
- Tequila – Straight, silver tequila is your best low carb option.
- Rum – White rum contains 0g carbs.
- Gin – Regular gin has zero carbs or sugar.
- Low carb beer – Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite have 2-3g carbs per bottle.
- Hard seltzer – Brands like White Claw have 2g carbs or less per can.
You can create keto-friendly cocktails by combining these options with low carb mixers. As always, aim to drink in moderation – no more than 1-2 drinks per day.
Crown Royal Nutrition Facts Review
Let’s take another quick look at the nutrition facts for Crown Royal whisky:
| Serving Size | 1.5 fl oz (one shot) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 97 |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbs | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
With zero carbs, sugar, and protein per serving, Crown Royal can fit into a keto diet when consumed in moderation. The 97 calories come from the alcohol itself.
Some flavored Crown Royal varieties like peach or maple may contain a few grams of carbs from added flavors. Check the nutrition label if choosing these options.
The Bottom Line – Is Crown Royal Keto?
Straight Crown Royal Canadian whisky contains no carbs, sugar, or nutritional value. This makes enjoying an occasional glass or cocktail made with Crown Royal permissible for most ketogenic diets.
However, those following a keto diet may want to limit total alcohol intake to 1-2 servings daily since alcohol can temporarily pause ketosis. Whiskey drinks also pack nearly 100 calories per shot, so overdoing it can hinder weight loss.
Practice moderation, be mindful of your alcohol tolerance, and don’t drink on an empty stomach. As long as you drink responsibly, Crown Royal can be part of a balanced low carb lifestyle. Just account for the calories in your daily intake and remain hydrated.
When you choose to indulge in Crown Royal whisky, combining with zero carb mixers and sipping slowly can help keep your keto diet on track. With the right portion sizes, you can certainly raise a glass of delicious Canadian whisky on occasion while sticking to your low carb goals.
