You have a fun night out, and the next morning, you swear off alcohol forever because you have woken up to what feels like a marching drum band playing in your head. But, like Barney and Robin of How I Met Your Mother, you’re lured back by the siren call of happy hour, only for the whole thing to happen again. Sounds familiar?
What if there was a way to avoid the hangover without sacrificing the fun or having to remember to pop an anti-hangover pill before the party? Low ABV (alcohol by volume) tipples, a post-pandemic trend especially popular with the GenZ crowd, has been fast gaining traction for its promise of a fun night out without the morning distress.
“Spritzers (think Aperol Spritz) opened up the category of low-ABV drinks. This trend is picking up around the world, including India. It’s cheaper because it’s got less booze, you can join the party without the after effects of coming home not being able to function, and it’s still fancy if it’s a cocktail!” said Arijit Bose, ace mixologist and co-founder of Countertop India.
To understand the trend better, My Kolkata spoke to a few mixologists who helped us break down the zero or low-ABV drinks trend.
The highs, the lows and the zeroes
Pankaj Singh Gusain of AMPM
So, what are low ABV drinks? These are any beverages with a lower alcohol content compared to standard alcoholic beverages, while zero ABV drinks are those with no alcohol content, explained Pankaj Singh Gusain, mixologist from AMPM Kolkata. “These drinks are often preferred by those who want to enjoy a drink without consuming too much or any alcohol,” he added. Examples of low ABV drinks include light beers, wine spritzers and cocktails made with less alcohol or non-alcoholic spirits, while no ABV includes beverages like zero-proof gin.
An Old Fashioned, which has alcohol, some syrup and ice, can be considered a high ABV beverage Shutterstock
A zero-proof or zero drink is a no-alcohol beverage, so everything from mixers to fresh lime sodas and complicated multiple-ingredient mocktails. Recently, there have also been a line of drinks in the market from various brands which have zero alcohol but mimic the taste of your favourite tipples including wine, beer and gin. A mild beer cocktail or a shandy — a half-lemonade, half-beer cocktail — could be considered low ABV drinks.
The standard cocktail has 60ml of the alcoholic beverage and the dilution is usually 3x or 2x — three or two parts mixer to one part alcohol. However, something like an Old Fashioned, which has alcohol, some syrup and ice, can be considered a high ABV beverage.
Flair bartender, mixologist and performing artist Ami Shroff
Flair bartender, mixologist and performing artiste Ami Shroff said she isn’t sure what is legally considered low ABV, “but wines and beers have four or three percent alcohol.” But is that low enough? She added that the percentage might differ from country to country. According to drinkaware.co.uk, government guidance says low-alcohol drinks can be up to 1.2% ABV.
A good time without consequences
Ipsita Chakraborty of Skinny Mo’s Jazz Club
Post-pandemic, many bars have seen a rise in popularity for low or zero ABV drinks. “Low or zero ABV came from the consciousness of consumers wanting to drink but not get hammered while doing so. Sober gins, non-alcoholic beers, all steam from the idea of wanting to consume a familiar taste but not get intoxicated by it. Post Covid, health factors were a huge reason why this has become more popular,” said Ipsita Chakraborty, mixologist from Skinny Mo’s Jazz Club.
While not having the side effects of a drunken misadventure is a big plus, some people also opt for lor ABV drinks to keep a check on the amount of alcohol they consume while keeping the option of having more than one drink.
Manoj Singh Rawat from Sorano Krishnungshu Gangopadhyay
While low or zero ABV drinks sound like a healthy and responsible way to enjoy a party, is it possible to make drinks that taste like hard liquor with less or no alcohol? Manoj Singh Rawat from Sorano, who has experience making such gins, explained to My Kolkata how it is done.
“Crafting a zero ABV gin using a rotary evaporator allows for precise control over the infusion of various flavours and botanicals. This method involves distilling the ingredients at low temperatures to preserve their delicate aromas and tastes while removing the alcohol. Through this process, we can create a non-alcoholic gin that still captures the essence of traditional gin, offering a complex and flavorful beverage suitable for those seeking a sophisticated alternative to alcohol,” said Manoj. He has also had the opportunity to use non-alcoholic bitters and vermouths, which can be used to create low-ABV cocktails.
Whether it is the bright citrus notes of lemon and orange, strong tastes of juniper and coriander, or the subtle hint of floral botanicals like lavender and rose petals, each infusion can be tailored to create a unique and refreshing zero ABV gin experience.
Pre-packaged fun
While low and zero ABV drinks are being served at different clubs and bars, is it possible to get your hands on pre-made ones? While light beers have always been available, you also have zero beers and a few brands in India are making low and zero ABV drinks According to Ipsita, brands in India like TILT (wine spritzer in a can), Budweiser Zero, Sober Gin and other new non-alcoholic mixers available in the market are part of the shifting trend of drinking less alcohol or not at all.
Ami cited Bacardi Breezer as a classic example for low ABV drinks. “They are diluted spirits with a sweetened beverage. It is mainly about hydrating yourself and enjoying the taste,” she concluded.
