Noah Vinter
Filtering alcohol through a Brita filter has become a popular trend on TikTok, with users claiming that it improves the taste of cheap alcohol and makes it comparable to top-shelf liquor. The process involves pouring vodka or tequila through a Brita filter, which is a charcoal-based water filter designed for removing impurities from water. While some people have found that it makes the alcohol smoother and less pungent, others have reported no noticeable difference in taste. Experts advise against using activated charcoal in filtering whiskey, as it can remove desirable flavors. Additionally, while charcoal filtering may remove some odors and tastes, it does not significantly reduce impurities, and may even affect the texture of the alcohol.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness in removing alcohol | No |
| Effect on taste | Some claim it makes alcohol taste like water, others claim it doesn't change the taste much |
| Effect on texture | Makes alcohol more viscous |
| Effect on congeners | Removes congeners |
| Effect on hangovers | May reduce the severity of hangovers |
| Common use case | Making cheap vodka taste better |
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What You'll Learn
The science behind filtering alcohol with Brita
The science behind filtering alcohol with a Brita filter revolves primarily around the removal of congeners—organic compounds that can contribute to hangovers and impact flavour. While a Brita filter cannot change the concentration of alcohol, it can help reduce these congeners, potentially resulting in a milder hangover and a more neutral taste.
The key component of a Brita filter is charcoal, also known as activated carbon. Charcoal is microporous, allowing it to absorb tiny chemicals and particles left behind after the distillation process. This filtration step is common in alcohol production, particularly for clear liquors like vodka, which are often filtered with charcoal before bottling to ensure purity and improve taste.
The effectiveness of using a Brita filter to improve alcohol quality is debated. Some people claim that filtering cheap vodka through Brita results in a smoother, more neutral taste, akin to top-shelf liquor. However, others find the outcome underwhelming, describing the filtered vodka as bland and flavourless.
Limitations and considerations
While a Brita filter can remove congeners, it does not address the main culprits of hangovers—ethanol and methanol. Additionally, charcoal filtration may not be suitable for all types of alcohol. For example, wine enthusiasts advise against using activated charcoal on wine as it kills flavours and tannins, while whiskey experts caution that it can remove desirable flavours.
In conclusion, while the science behind using a Brita filter to purify alcohol is sound, the effectiveness may vary depending on personal preferences and the type of alcohol being filtered. It is important to note that charcoal filtration can alter flavours and textures, so experimentation and personal judgement are crucial in determining the optimal number of filtrations for desired results.
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Does it work for vodka?
A viral TikTok hack claims that filtering cheap vodka through a Brita filter can make it taste like top-shelf liquor. The premise is simple: grab a bottle of cheap vodka and a Brita filter, and you're ready for a DIY project. However, the results are mixed, with some people swearing by this trick and others claiming it does nothing.
The science behind this hack is that Brita filters use charcoal, or activated carbon, which can absorb tiny chemicals left behind after distillation. This filtration step is common in alcohol production to separate out unwanted solid particles. The idea is that running cheap vodka through a Brita filter will remove congeners, organic compounds that can make hangovers worse and give alcohol its flavour.
One source tested this hack with a large bottle of cheap vodka, pouring four ounces into a glass and four ounces into the Brita filter. They found that the filtered vodka had almost no smell and the burn of the alcohol was nearly gone. However, it tasted so watered down that they questioned whether there was any alcohol left. Another source filtered an $11 bottle of vodka through a Brita filter once, twice, three, and four times. After one pass, the taster said it tasted like "a Grey Goose taking a crap on a Lexus." After two passes, the taste did not improve much, described as tasting like "melting plastic."
Another source tested the hack with bottom-, mid-, and top-shelf vodkas in both linear and blind taste tests. After one filtration, the vodka was described as smelling milder, but the taste did not change. After two filtrations, the vodka smelled like wet rocks, and the offensive qualities had disappeared, but the flavour was still rough. After three filtrations, the vodka continued to get sweeter and more viscous, and after four filtrations, it gained even more viscosity. However, the blind taster said that the filtered bottom-shelf vodka tasted almost identical to the mid-shelf vodka after the second filtration.
Overall, while filtering vodka through a Brita filter may help to remove some congeners and improve the smoothness, it does not seem to transform cheap vodka into top-shelf liquor. The filtered vodka is described as tasting watered down, bland, and dull, with alcohol's flavour and intensity being part of the drinking experience. Additionally, filtering vodka multiple times can be costly and time-consuming, and it may not be worth the minimal improvement in taste.
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Does it improve the taste?
The idea of filtering cheap vodka with a Brita filter to improve its taste is not new. The hack went viral on TikTok, with users claiming that the filtered vodka "tastes like water" and that the filtered tequila tasted "watered down". However, opinions on whether filtering vodka through a Brita filter actually improves its taste are mixed. Some people claim that the filtered vodka tastes just like water, while others say that it does nothing to improve the flavour. One source says that filtering vodka through a Brita filter makes it marginally better, but not by much. Another source says that the filtered vodka tasted slightly sweeter, smoother, and brighter, but still not worth filtering.
It is important to note that a Brita filter is designed for water and uses charcoal or activated carbon to remove impurities. While charcoal filtering may remove some of the odours and tastes in your drink, it does not significantly improve the taste of vodka. Additionally, filtering alcohol through a Brita filter does not change the concentration of alcohol. It may help remove congeners, the organic compounds that can make hangovers worse, but these compounds also contribute to the flavour of the alcohol.
Some people have also tried filtering other types of alcohol through a Brita filter, such as whiskey and wine. However, experts advise against using activated charcoal to filter whiskey as it can remove the flavours you want to keep. Similarly, using a Brita filter on wine is not recommended as the carbon can kill the flavours and tannins in the wine.
Overall, while some people claim that filtering cheap vodka through a Brita filter improves its taste, others find that it does not make a noticeable difference or that it makes the vodka taste bland. The consensus seems to be that while it may marginally improve the taste, it is not worth the time and effort, and it is better to simply buy a nicer bottle of vodka.
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Does it remove impurities?
There is some evidence that filtering alcohol through a Brita filter can remove impurities. One source claims that after three filtrations, the vodka became sweeter and more viscous, leading the tester to suspect that the Brita filter was ridding the vodka of impurities while also affecting its flavour and texture.
However, another source states that there is no quantifiable difference in the removal of impurities when alcohol is filtered through a Brita. This source also mentions that most alcohols are filtered before they are bottled, and that a different technology used to clarify fluids at an industrial level (such as palm oil, biodiesel, and fracking water) works better for reducing impurities in alcohol.
It is worth noting that Brita filters are designed for water and use activated carbon or charcoal to filter out impurities. Charcoal is known to absorb many tiny chemicals, which is why it is often used in the filtration process for alcohol.
While there may be some reduction in impurities when filtering alcohol with a Brita, it is not a significant amount, and it may not be worth the time and effort. Additionally, filtering alcohol with a Brita may not improve the taste and could even make it worse, as it can remove congeners that give alcohol its flavour.
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Are there any alternatives to Brita filters?
While Brita is probably the best-known of the water filter pitcher brands, there are several alternatives available in the market. Here are some of the alternatives to Brita filters:
- ZeroWater filter: This is the only filter that was able to remove 100% of TDS, making it the top pick for the best pitcher and best filter cartridge. It is more expensive to replace at $13+ per filter, and it takes longer to filter compared to other filters.
- Purefast cartridge: This cartridge filters water as quickly as the standard Brita filter, taking between six and seven minutes to process a fill of the upper pitcher reservoir. After a filter has reached the end of its functional life, you can mail it back to Cyclopure for environmentally-friendly processing.
- Aarke filter: This filter is made from a glass and stainless steel frame with a sleek overall design. It reduces limescale, chlorine, and heavy metals such as lead and copper. It uses a reusable filter, and you only need to buy the granules, which are easily loaded into the metal filter cartridge, reducing plastic waste.
- Hydros water pitcher: This pitcher is very attractive, filters fast, fits in the fridge, and is super easy to clean. The downside is that you have to buy plastic filters.
- Pho Water filter: This filter advertises using 75% less Co2 than alternatives, and the cartridge is refillable. You just need to wash it out each month and add in the filter charcoal.
- Kishu water filter: This is a refillable cartridge with charcoal filter material that can be used with the Brita pitcher.
- LifeStraw Home Dispenser: This dispenser has been tested to remove dozens of contaminants, including lead, and its filter is highly resistant to clogging.
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Frequently asked questions
No, a Brita filter is not capable of removing alcohol.
Some people claim that filtering cheap vodka through a Brita filter makes it taste like top-shelf liquor. However, others disagree, saying that it does not improve the taste significantly or makes it bland.
No, a Brita filter does not change the concentration of alcohol.
Yes, a Brita filter can help remove congeners, which are organic compounds that can contribute to hangovers and give alcohol its flavour.
While some people have suggested using a Brita filter for other alcohols like tequila, whiskey, or wine, it is generally not recommended as it can negatively impact the desired flavours and characteristics of these drinks.
