Trend Alert: Low ABV Cocktails

The world is a’changing, folks. How we socialize, how we work, and yes, even how we drink. Thanks to things like the internet and the millennial self-care craze, “treat yo self” has taken on a more wholesome and health-conscious meaning in recent years. 

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Since the general public seems to be paying attention to their health more than ever before, these days people are more likely to reach for their yoga mat than for a bottle of wine...or at least reach for the yoga mat before the bottle of wine. We don't judge.

If you’re not familiar with the meaning of ABV, it stands for alcohol by volume. This is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in a given volume of an alcoholic beverage, and it is defined as the number of milliliters of pure ethanol (pure alcohol) present in 100 milliliters. Popular in different cities throughout Europe, low-ABV cocktails have made a recent splash in American bar culture. Becoming a staple in cocktail programs of every caliber and every depth, whether it be in a five-star restaurant or your favorite craft cocktail bar, the chances are high that you’ll surely find something like a sake based concoction on the menu, or maybe a riff on the Aperol Spritz — perhaps the most popular low-ABV cocktail out there.

With all the hours spent in the kitchen by modern mixologists perfecting infusions and syrups galore just searching for the next best thing, it was inevitable that low-ABV drinks would come around in the states eventually. Whereas your garden-variety Old Fashioned stands just under 40%, the aforementioned Aperol Spritz is about 11% which is great if you’re the kind to pace yourself and take it easy. Say you love a Negroni, but you can only drink one before the room starts to feel like a funhouse. Subbing a sparkling rosé for gin in this classic puts a fun, effervescent spin on it without compromising the body or complexity of the Campari or your vermouth of choice. So no, low-ABV doesn’t translate to less flavor, and it also doesn’t mean that you don’t get enough bang for your buck — it means an even pace.

We encourage you to play with your drinks and how you enjoy them. Whether your version of self-care is more along the lines of facials and indulgent bath products or sipping on your drink of choice in great company, the next time you go out on the town try out the old saying, “slow and steady wins the race”, and go low-ABV. Featured below is one of our most popular low-ABV concoctions, The Suspender.

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The Suspender LOW-ABV Cocktail:

  • 1.5 oz Alessio Bianco Vermouth
  • .25 oz Lemon Juice
  • .25 oz Orange Juice
  • .75 oz Simple Syrup
  • 2 dashes Reagan's Orange Bitters 
  • 4 oz. Soda Water
  • Garnish with a lemon peel
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