Vivian Marlowe
A chaser is a non-alcoholic beverage consumed immediately after a shot or a sip of a strong alcoholic drink to help mitigate the intense or unpleasant taste of alcohol. While some people prefer drinking vodka straight without a chaser, others may find its taste very strong. The best chasers to pair with vodka include water, tonic water, and lemonade. Meanwhile, a combination of Fireball and Cream Soda creates a drink that tastes like Cinnabon, effectively masking the taste of alcohol.
Characteristics of the best chasers for not tasting alcohol
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of drink | Non-alcoholic beverage |
| Purpose | To mitigate the intense or unpleasant taste of strong alcoholic beverages |
| Examples | Water, soda, juice, lemonade, tonic water, pickle brine, chocolate flavoured liqueur, cream soda |
| Benefits | Mildly hydrating, softening the overwhelming taste of alcohol, watering down the alcohol, cleansing the palate |
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What You'll Learn
- Water: A neutral, hydrating chaser to cleanse the palate
- Tonic water: Mildly hydrating with a slightly enlivening taste
- Lemonade: A versatile mixer that works well with most liquors
- Pickle brine: A new type of chaser that follows a shot of liquor
- Cream soda: Masks the taste of alcohol, especially when paired with Fireball
Water: A neutral, hydrating chaser to cleanse the palate
Water is a neutral and effective chaser to cleanse the palate after drinking alcohol. It is a commonly used chaser due to its accessibility and lack of flavour, which helps to tone down the aftertaste of strong liquors. The salt content in water can also impact the taste of the alcohol, enhancing the drinking experience.
When consumed as a chaser, water has the dual benefit of hydrating the body while also diluting the alcohol in the system. This can help to prolong the drinking session and potentially mitigate the nauseating effects of a hangover. Water is a simple and straightforward choice for those seeking to minimise the taste of alcohol without introducing additional flavours.
While some people may prefer carbonated or flavoured chasers, water is a reliable option that can be easily paired with any alcoholic beverage. It is also a healthier alternative to sugary chasers, promoting hydration without the addition of sweeteners or artificial ingredients.
The use of water as a chaser is particularly effective when consuming strong liquors such as vodka, whiskey, or tequila. These spirits are often consumed neat or as shots, leaving a strong aftertaste that water can help neutralise. Water is also a popular choice due to its availability, as it is readily available in most drinking establishments and can be served at room temperature or chilled.
In summary, water is an ideal chaser for those seeking to minimise the taste of alcohol without introducing new flavours. Its neutrality, hydrating properties, and wide availability make it a versatile and effective option for drinkers looking to cleanse their palate and enhance their drinking experience.
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Tonic water: Mildly hydrating with a slightly enlivening taste
Tonic water is a carbonated drink that is often used as a mixer for cocktails, but it can also be consumed on its own. It is known for its small amounts of bitter quinine, which is derived from the bark of Cinchona trees. While tonic water contains sweeteners that may make it less healthy than natural water, it can still be mildly hydrating. This, combined with its slightly enlivening taste, makes it a good chaser to pair with vodka.
Chasers are served on the side and drunk after consuming a strong liquor to help it go down and tone down the aftertaste. Vodka, for instance, can be very strong when drunk on its own, and a follow-up flavour can help soften its overwhelming taste. Vodka tonics are one of the world's most popular and simple cocktails, and the carbonated water in tonic water also has medicinal properties.
The bitterness of tonic water can be challenging to mask, as bitter flavours are generally difficult to disguise. It takes about 3000 times the concentration of sucrose to equal one part of quinine sulfate, the primary bittering agent in tonic water. However, adding a liberal amount of salt to tonic water can help to suppress its bitterness, as sweetness strongly suppresses saltiness.
Tonic water can also be mixed with other drinks to create refreshing cocktails. For example, blending tonic water with Campari or Aperol creates a lower-alcohol version of the Aperol spritz. Adding a splash of tonic water to a Lillet-basil cocktail gives it a little fizz, while mixing tonic water with grapefruit juice and Campari results in a light and summery drink.
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Lemonade: A versatile mixer that works well with most liquors
While some people can drink vodka straight without a chaser, others may find it too strong. This is where chasers come in. Unlike mixers, chasers are not mixed with your alcohol of choice but are served on the side and drunk after you've consumed a strong liquor. They help tone down the aftertaste that can linger after a sip of neat alcohol or a shot.
Lemonade is a versatile mixer that works well with most liquors. Spiked lemonade is a drink that has stood the test of time, working well with rum, gin, whiskey, and vodka. Vodka and lemonade is a common combination, with some people adding 7-Up to the mix for a sweeter taste. You can also make a pink lemonade cocktail by adding a dash of cranberry juice or grenadine, or some strawberries or cherries. If you're looking for something more herbaceous, a sprig of mint or basil pairs well with lemons.
There are many other variations of spiked lemonade. You can make a boozy sour watermelon slushie with Sour Patch watermelons or a sparkling basil lemonade (the basil turns the drink a lovely shade of light green). You can even add a scoop of ice cream to make it more like a dessert. If you're looking for something more tropical, try adding some Malibu rum to your lemonade, or even some coconut flavour for a taste of Mexico.
Lemonade can also be mixed with champagne or sparkling wine, and an easy blueberry simple syrup to make a refreshing summer cocktail. For something a little less proper, blend in some citrus, cucumber, and fresh ginger for a Frozen Pimm's Cup. If you're a beer drinker, you can even mix lemonade with beer for a Summer Shandy Punch, jazzed up with some fresh fruit and ginger beer.
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Pickle brine: A new type of chaser that follows a shot of liquor
Drinking alcohol can be enjoyable, but the strong kick of hard liquor can be overwhelming for some. This is where chasers come in. A chaser is a non-alcoholic beverage consumed immediately after a shot or a sip of strong alcohol to mitigate its intense taste and make it more palatable.
While water is a commonly used chaser to cleanse the palate, it may not be the best option for those who dislike the taste of alcohol. A relatively new type of chaser, known as a "pickleback", has gained popularity. It involves taking a shot of liquor, followed by a shot of pickle brine. The brine, or pickle juice, provides a strong, contrasting flavour that can help mask the taste of alcohol.
The idea of using pickle brine as a chaser may seem unusual, but it is not that different from drinking a Bloody Mary, which combines vodka and tomato juice. In fact, pickle brine can be a surprisingly effective chaser for a variety of liquors. The salty, tangy flavour of the brine can help to neutralise the harshness of alcohol, making it a good option for those who want to minimise the taste of their drink.
Pickle brine is not the only unique chaser out there. Some people find that mixing cake-flavoured vodka with chocolate-flavoured liqueur creates a drink that tastes like chocolate birthday cake, without the strong alcohol taste. For those who enjoy spicy and sweet combinations, the combination of Fireball and cream soda can taste like a Cinnabon.
While chasers can help to disguise the taste of alcohol, it is important to remember that they do not neutralise the effects of alcohol. It is always important to drink responsibly and in moderation.
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Cream soda: Masks the taste of alcohol, especially when paired with Fireball
Cream soda is a delightful carbonated soft drink with a frothy, creamy, vanilla-infused flavour. It was first created in 1852 as a "temperance drink" designed to replace harmful alcoholic products. Cream soda is typically paired with Fireball, a type of cinnamon whisky, to create a drink that tastes like a Cinnabon. This combination is achieved by mixing three parts of cream soda for every ounce of Fireball. The sweetness of the cream soda perfectly masks the strong taste of alcohol, especially when paired with Fireball.
Chasers are drinks that are served on the side and consumed after taking a shot of strong liquor. They help to tone down the aftertaste that can linger after drinking neat alcohol. Water is a popular chaser as it hydrates the body while also watering down the alcohol. Tonic water is another option that provides mild hydration and an enlivening taste.
Lemonade is a versatile mixer that pairs well with almost any distilled spirit, including vodka, rum, gin, and whiskey. It is said that lemon juice may protect the liver from the damaging effects of alcohol due to its antioxidant properties. Another unusual chaser that has gained popularity on TikTok is baking soda with a pinch of salt. Drinks scientist Dave Arnold speculates that the basic pH of baking soda may help to mask the bitterness of alcohol.
While chasers can help to disguise the taste of alcohol, it is important to remember that they can also promote overconsumption by making strong liquors easier to drink. As always, it is crucial to consume alcohol in moderation and to stay well hydrated.
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Frequently asked questions
A chaser is a non-alcoholic beverage consumed immediately after a shot or a sip of a strong alcoholic drink. It helps mitigate the intense or unpleasant taste of alcohol.
Water is a commonly used chaser to cleanse the palate. Carbonated sodas like cola, ginger ale, or club soda can also help cut the harshness of alcohol. Fruit juices, such as orange juice or cranberry juice, can add sweetness and flavour. Lemonade is another versatile option that works well with many distilled liquors.
Here are some specific combinations that can help mask the taste of alcohol:
- Fireball (a type of alcohol) with cream soda
- Cake-flavoured vodka with chocolate-flavoured liqueur
- Coconut-flavoured rum with tropical juice
- Vodka with lemonade-flavoured Crystal Light
