Not just for January: make low alcohol work for you
Consumers are increasingly health conscious and, coupled with the boom in premium mixers, it has never been more topical 鈥� or easy 鈥� to go low alcohol. Not only good to prevent a hangover, drinking less is easier on the liver and doesn鈥檛 necessarily have to mean going 鈥榙ry鈥�.
Generation Z* are predicted to be the most health-conscious and environmentally-friendly generation yet, indicating a growing demand for low-alcohol alternatives in the future.
While there are lower-alcohol wines available, the trick lies in the cocktail scene. Often synonymous with heavy mixing of different spirits, many of the classic cocktails contain close to 100% alcohol. But it doesn鈥檛 have to be that way.
We take a look at three low-alcohol options for those partial to a mixed drink or four:
Not just a mixer: Vermouth聽
Long pushed into a dusty corner along with mixers and secondary cocktail ingredients, vermouth is perhaps wrongly known only as a component of the classic martini. It wasn鈥檛 always this way. In fact, up until the 1800s vermouth was mainly drunk neat as an aperitif. But it makes a cracking primary cocktail ingredient, too.
For our take on an Espresso Martini, we swap vodka (usually around 40% ABV) for Belsazar Red Vermouth, which sits at 18% ABV. For a little natural sweetness without the coffee liqueur 鈥� and extra ABV 鈥� the secret is agave syrup.
Method
鈥� Shake all ingredients vigorously in a Boston Shaker
鈥� Strain into a chilled coupe glass
鈥� Garnish with coffee beans
Been here all along: The Long Cocktail
Low-ABV cocktails have been sitting on cocktail menus since the dawn of, well, cocktail menus. Drinks like the classic Mule and Cuba Libre 鈥� which combine fresh lime juice with one type of spirit and ginger beer 鈥� are perhaps the more understated low alcohol alternatives.
If you鈥檝e tried these old favourites, we鈥檝e got a delicate, summery cocktail with a green tea zing for you. And the only alcohol in this refreshing long drink is Fiorente Elderflower Liqueur, at 20% ABV (and a dash of bitters!)
Method
鈥� Shake the Fiorente, sugar syrup, lemon and bitters together in a Boston Shaker
鈥� Pour into a highball glass filled with ice
鈥� Top up with light green tea
鈥� Garnish with a lemon slice or flower
Teetotal tipple: Seedlip
This new non-alcoholic distilled spirit is taking the market by storm. Appealing largely to gin drinkers, Seedlip is made from six distilled botanicals and can be enjoyed simply with tonic or in a cocktail. 鈥淔rom a cocktail point of view, Seedlip isn鈥檛 sugary or sweet 鈥� you can sip and enjoy,鈥� says sales ambassador Tori Udale.
Seedlip creators love to experiment with vinegars and herbs, and you鈥檒l find a host of homemade shrubs in their suggested cocktails, which adds a complex texture and flavour that feels uncannily spirit-like.
Method
鈥� Shake all ingredients vigorously in a Boston Shaker
鈥� Strain into a coupe glass
鈥� Garnish with a sprig of rosemary
*Also known as Post-Millennials, Gen Z is the demographic cohort after the Millennials.
