Low Carb Drinks At Sonic Drive-in & Best Home Options
Are you now on a keto diet or low-carb diet and wondering if there are low-carb drinks at Sonic? You will be happy to hear there are a few low-carb options available on the Sonic menu!

Sonic Drive-In offers a variety of drink options, and while many of their famous slushes and shakes are high in carbs, they do have low-carb drinks for those watching their carbohydrate intake. Not only are these options good for a low-carb diet but most are also low calorie.
These sugar-free drinks are great while eating low-carb and even keto. However, if you are following the strict keto diet, not all low carb drinks at Sonic options will work for you as they use artificial sweeteners. But if you are dirty keto, then you are just fine.
If you like these tips, you may also want to check out our post on Keto Pistachio Latte Recipe (Starbucks Copycat).
Best Option Low Carb Drinks At Sonic:
Here’s a list of low-carb drink choices you can consider when visiting a Sonic fast food chain. Keep in mind that specific nutritional values can vary, so it’s always a good idea to check the most current nutrition facts on Sonic’s website and the Sonic app or ask when ordering.
Unsweetened Iced Tea:
Unsweet tea is zero carbs! If you want to change it up, a great option is to ask for sugar-free flavor add-ins and some sugar-free sweeteners. The flavorings really turn the unsweetened tea into some true sonic drinks! A favorite of ours is to get a peach unsweet iced tea. You may also like mixing the peach and the mango with the tea.
Diet Soda:
Most diet soft drinks have zero or very few carbs. Sonic carries a variety of diet drink options. They have a few options of diet soda to choose from such as Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite Zero, and Diet Dr. Pepper. These too can have sugar free add ins. Try adding some sugar-free cherry syrup to a diet dr pepper! YUM!
Water and Sparkling Water:
You can order a bottle of water or you can ask for a cup of water with ice. You can also make it more refreshing on a hot summer day by adding a sugar-free flavoring to the water.
Coffee (Iced or Hot):
Black coffee has no carbs. Be cautious with cream and sugar; consider using heavy cream in small amounts or a sugar substitute. One of the best keto drinks (dirty keto) is an iced coffee with heavy cream and a splash of sugar-free flavoring.
Sonic Seltzer:
If available, Sonic’s seltzer water options would be low in carbs. Check for specific flavors and their carb counts.

Diet Cherry Limeade:
This one just may be one of the best menu options. The Diet Cherry Limeade is a mix of Sprite Zero, Diet Cherry Flavor, Ice, Cherry Fruit, and fresh limes. Depending on size it has 3-4 g net carbs. Most of the carbs come from the added fresh fruits on top and a little from the lime juice. So if you do not eat those or order without, the carb count will be even less.
Diet Limeade:
With the classic limeades being a popular choice, this is another one of our top picks. This one is made with Sprite Zero, Ice, and Lime Fruit. Depending on the size it has 1-2 carbs.
Raspberry Limeade:
This one is not on the menu but you can have it made. Simply order a Sprite Zero and ask for a squeeze of lime and the sugar-free raspberry add-in. It is a flavor not many have tried as they just don’t know they have the option.
Customization Tips:
- Add Flavor Without Carbs: Ask for sugar-free flavor add-ins to add to iced tea or sparkling water if available. Sonic occasionally offers sugar-free options like sugar-free mango, blackberry, peach, cherry, or raspberry flavor add-ins.
- Cream: Adding a splash of heavy cream to your iced coffee or tea can make it more satisfying without adding significant carbs, but be mindful of the amount since the calories can add up.
- Avoid Sugary Add-ons: Sonic is famous for its variety of add-ons like real fruit and candy pieces, but these will increase the carb count significantly.
Ordering Strategy:
- Be Specific: Clearly state your preferences for sugar-free syrups and avoid any mix-ins or toppings that are high in sugar.
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask the staff for nutritional information if you’re unsure about the carb content of a drink.
While Sonic’s menu is more renowned for indulgent treats, with a bit of careful selection and customization, you can still enjoy a refreshing drink that fits within a low-carb lifestyle.
Low Carb Drinks At Sonic Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Does Sonic have any sugar free slushies?
A. No. All of their slush mix has added sugar. But if you order one of the limeades we mentioned above, it is a close runner-up if you ask me. Another good option would be to take the limeade home and run it through the blender and make your own slushie.
Q. Are there any low-carb or keto options for food to go with drinks?
A. Sure! You can order food at just about any fast food place that will fit your low-carb and dirty keto lifestyle. Try ordering a bunless burger and you can even add some crispy bacon. Just be sure to skip the onion rings and french fries. If you are visiting for breakfast you can toaster or breakfast sandwich and pull off the bread. Or you can order the breakfast burrito and simply do not eat the tortilla.
Q. Can you make low carb drinks at home?
A. You sure can! Below we are going to share some ideas for you.
How To Make Sonic Drinks At Home:
You can make a version of Sonic’s Cherry Limeade at home that’s sugar-free. The key is to use sugar substitutes and sugar-free ingredients to capture the essence of the original drink. Here’s a simple recipe to try:
- 12 oz Sprite Zero
- 1 tbsp Lime juice
- 1 tbsp sugar-free cherry syrup (you can find this in stores that sell coffee syrups or online)
- Ice cubes (or small nugget ice if you have as it is closer to the Sonic ice)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Lime Juice: Squeeze the juice from the lime into a large glass.
- Add the Cherry Syrup: Pour the sugar-free cherry syrup into the glass with the lime juice. Stir well to combine.
- Mix with Sprite Zero: Add the sugar-free soda to the cherry-lime mixture. Gently stir to combine everything well. Taste and adjust the cherry or lime flavor according to your preference by adding a bit more syrup or lime juice.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the cherry limeade over the ice. Garnish with a slice of lime on the rim of the glass, if desired.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately for a refreshing, sugar-free treat that brings a taste of Sonic right into your home.
Tips:
- Adjust Sweetness: Depending on your taste and the sweetness of the cherry syrup you use, you might want to adjust the amount. Start with less and add more as needed.
- Sugar-Free Cherry Syrup: If you have trouble finding sugar-free cherry syrup, you can also make your own by cooking down sugar-free cherry juice with a sugar substitute until it’s reduced and syrupy, then cool it before using.
- Lime-Flavored Soda: Using lime-flavored soda can enhance the lime taste without adding extra calories or sugar. While the recipe uses Sprite zero sodas, you could use any diet lemon-lime soda.
Drink Mix Packets:
If you do not want to go through all the steps of making a drink, they do also sell Sonic drink mixes in a few low-carb flavors that you can get at the grocery store or order online from places like Amazon. They have flavors like Cherry Limeade, Ocean Water, and Strawberry Lemonade.
These drink mixes can be simply mixed with a bottle of water. However, if you want to take it to the next level try adding part of a packet to a diet soda such as Sprite Zero or Coke Zero.
These are also a great on-the-go option and you can toss a few packets in your glove box of the car, your purse, or your laptop bag. Then simply snag a bottle of water or soda and mix the packet in.
These homemade versions allow you to enjoy a classic Sonic flavor while sticking to a sugar-free diet or a dirty ketogenic diet. Plus, it’s customizable, so you can tweak it to perfectly match your taste preferences! They also work really well if there are no Sonic locations near you.