As Texans, native or not, many of us feel like a great margarita is our birthright. But, let’s face it, the high sugar content in a margarita can be a drawback.
However, thanks to Mike Hiller, a former medical doctor, chef, and restaurant critic, we can enjoy a delicious margarita with no sugar. No sugar, no stevia, no monk fruit, no weird aftertaste.
Hiller, from Dallas, created Liquid Zero, a sweetener made with all-natural allulose which is found in figs, raisins, corn, beets, and maple syrup. The creation of Liquid Zero led to a sugar-free margarita that is so delicious, it’s now served at restaurants including Mesero, Pappas Brothers Steakhouse, and Bowen House, and a few event venues you be familiar with: AT&T and Globe Life Stadiums.
“We sell more margaritas at AT&T Stadium than any other on-premise venue in America,” said George Wasai, vice president of food & beverage at the stadium. “As soon as we tasted them, we knew we had to have Liquid Zero cocktails at the Stadium. The margaritas, old-fashioneds and mojitos taste amazing, and no one can tell they’re sugar-free. Our fans tell us they love Liquid Zero and especially love that we offer something that’s both keto-friendly and has no sugary carbs.”
Dissatisfied with the current options, Hiller started experimenting in 2020 with recipes to create a better tasting sugar-free margarita. After several iterations, he presented it to friends in the culinary and mixology worlds and, with their feedback, created a sugar-free margarita that went from having a few served at Mesero to more than 100,000 served and thousands more to come.
Liquid Zero cocktails are served as frozen margaritas or as individual cocktails served in their own packaging. Since the successful adoption of his margarita, Hiller has extended the product line to include mojitos, espresso martinis, and an old fashioned made with Hiller’s own recipe for black walnut bitters.
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For now, only the frozen margarita is on tap, while other drinks are served in clever plastic packaging that triples as a drinking vessel and a cocktail shaker. To make the cocktail, just add water and the spirit of choice and shake. The mixes also work well with zero-proof spirits and club soda. For an authentic cocktail feel, the mixes also include dried fruit and coffee beans for garnishes.
What is allulose and is this too good to be true? Dr. Anne VanBeber, a registered dietitian and professor of nutritional sciences at TCU endorses allulose as a sweetener.
“I approve of it,” she said. “It’s not quite as sweet as sucrose and it has fewer calories.”
Allulose is keto friendly due to the minimal impact on blood sugar levels. Hiller’s cocktails contain zero calories but some carbs due to the inclusion of erythritol, a commonly used artificial sweetener. The mixes have zero net carbs.
Liquid Zero cocktails are not meant to be a health drink, just a healthier way to consume cocktails.
Find them at drinkliquidzero.com, Amazon, and select restaurants. [UPDATE: Now available at Central Market on Lover’s Lane in Dallas.]
Kersten Rettig, a freelance writer with leadership experience in the food and travel industries, lives in the Park Cities, where she is known as “the restaurant sherpa” for her recommendations. Follow her on Instagram @KerstenEats.
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