Noah Vinter
Alcoholic beverages can be broadly categorized into distilled and undistilled drinks. Distilled drinks tend to have a higher alcohol content than undistilled drinks. Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a standard measure of alcohol content, indicating the number of milliliters of ethanol per 100 milliliters of solution. The alcohol content in drinks varies widely, with some drinks having as little as 0.5% ABV, while others reach upwards of 90% ABV. So, which alcoholic beverages fall into the lower end of the alcohol content spectrum?
Which alcoholic beverage has the least amount of alcohol?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol-free drinks | 0.0% ABV |
| Non-alcoholic drinks | Up to 0.5% ABV |
| Low-alcohol drinks | 0.5% to 2.9% ABV |
| Reduced-alcohol drinks | No legal definition, but typically around 5.5% ABV |
| Light beers | 2% to 4% ABV |
| Standard beers | 4% to 6% ABV |
| Cider | 4% to 7% ABV |
| Standard wine | Less than 14% ABV |
| Fortified wine | 16% to 24% ABV |
| Spirits | Start at around 20% ABV |
| Whiskey | 36% to 50% ABV |
| Vodka | 40% ABV |
| Absinthe | 40% to 90% ABV |
| Everclear | 60% to 95% ABV |
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Non-alcoholic beers
Alcoholic beverages can be categorised into distilled and undistilled drinks. The former, including liquors and spirits, contain more alcohol by volume (ABV) than the latter, which includes drinks like beer and wine. The ABV of a drink is the number of millilitres of ethanol per 100 millilitres of the drink. In the United States, a standard drink contains 14 grams or about 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol.
One popular non-alcoholic beer is Budweiser Zero, which contains 50 calories and has no sugar. Other notable mentions include the award-winning non-alcoholic beers from Go Brewing, with their Freedom Amber and Hazy IPA being crowd favourites. Athletic Brewing is another company that offers a range of craft-brewed non-alcoholic options, while Momentum Brewery's Hazy IPA provides a unique twist on the traditional IPA style.
It's important to note that the laws and guidelines regarding alcohol terminology vary across countries. While "non-alcoholic" in the United States refers to drinks with up to 0.5% ABV, other countries may have different definitions. Always check the labels to familiarise yourself with the terms and ABV content before consuming any beverage.
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Low-alcohol beers
Alcoholic beverages can be categorised as either distilled or undistilled. Ethanol-based drinks like beer and wine are considered undistilled drinks. Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage worldwide and is most likely the oldest alcoholic drink in history. A standard beer, whether lager or ale, has between 4% and 6% ABV, although some beers have lower concentrations of alcohol.
Some popular low-alcohol beers include:
- Notch Pils: a well-crafted Czech-style pilsner that is light, easy to drink, and full of flavour.
- Postcard Pils: a crisp and dry lager with floral hop notes and hints of sweet grainy malt.
- Lionshead Pilsner: an affordable and flavourful American pilsner.
- Stiegl Radler: a shandy-style beer with a sweet taste and an ABV of 3% or less.
- Rosa Blanca Lager: a widely available UK beer with an ABV of 3.4%.
- Small Beer Co Lager: a 2% lager that may only be available in the UK.
- Untitled Art Juicy IPA: an NA beer with less than 0.5% alcohol.
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Wine spritzers
Alcoholic beverages can be categorised as either distilled or undistilled. Undistilled drinks, such as beer, wine, and cider, tend to have a lower alcohol content than distilled drinks, such as liquors and spirits. For example, a standard beer has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of between 4% and 6%, while liquors like vodka and spirits like absinthe can have an ABV of 40% or more.
One way to enjoy a lower-alcohol drink is to mix alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones. For instance, mixing liquor with soda gives you a cocktail with less alcohol than drinking straight spirits. Similarly, wine spritzers are made by mixing wine with carbonated water, usually with a citrus twist, resulting in a lower-alcohol drink.
There are many different ways to make a wine spritzer. The traditional recipe only contains three ingredients: wine, ice, and soda. However, you can also add ingredients like lime juice, brown sugar, or fruit garnishes. For a pink drink that's perfect for celebrations, try mixing rosé wine and cranberry juice with soda. If you prefer red wine, you can make a sangria spritzer by mixing red wine with orange, sugar, ice, and sparkling water.
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Mixing liquor with soda
Alcoholic beverages can be classified into two categories: distilled and undistilled. Liquors and spirits like vodka, absinthe, and Everclear are distilled beverages and contain more alcohol by volume (ABV) than undistilled drinks. For example, vodka has a standard alcohol concentration of 40% ABV in the United States. Mixing liquor with soda results in a cocktail with less alcohol by volume compared to consuming straight spirits. However, the amount of alcohol consumed per volume remains the same, and the carbonation in soda may even cause alcohol to be absorbed faster into the bloodstream.
When mixing liquor with soda, the carbonation and caffeine in the soda can create a different anecdotal drinking experience. The bubbles in carbonated drinks accelerate the passage of liquid through the pyloric sphincter from the stomach to the small intestine, where alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream more rapidly than through the stomach lining. As a result, you may experience a more intense initial effect before your body can fully process the alcohol.
The rate at which alcohol is consumed and the quantity of liquid in the digestive system can influence the level of drunkenness. Mixing liquor with soda may slow down the consumption rate, and the sheer volume of liquid can compete for the digestion of alcohol, potentially resulting in a slower onset of drunkenness. However, the total amount of alcohol consumed remains unchanged.
It's important to note that the type of soda used in the mix can also make a difference. Regular sodas tend to be harder to chug in mixed drinks, while diet sodas may be easier to over-consume. Additionally, the rates of absorption are connected to how quickly substances enter and leave the body. Providing the body with more non-alcoholic fluids to process can dilute the alcohol concentration, making it easier for the body to manage.
Some popular combinations of liquor and soda include vodka with Sprite or Diet Coke, Schnapps with Sprite, and Kirkland vodka with Simply juice (such as lemonade or fruit punch). These mixed drinks offer a variety of flavours and experiences while still providing a lower alcohol content compared to consuming straight liquor.
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Cider
The alcohol content in cider, also known as hard cider, varies. Traditional English ciders range from 1.2% to 8.5% ABV or higher, while continental ciders range from 2.5% to 12% ABV. Most hard ciders contain between 4% and 6% ABV, similar to many beers, making it a moderate alcoholic beverage. However, some artisanal or craft hard ciders can have higher ABVs, reaching up to 10% or more. White ciders, which are almost colourless, and black ciders, a type of dry amber cider, typically have an alcohol content of 7% to 8% ABV.
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Frequently asked questions
In the US, non-alcoholic drinks can contain up to 0.5% ABV, while low-alcohol drinks contain between 0.5% and 2.9% ABV. In the UK, there is no agreed legal definition of how much alcohol a 'reduced alcohol' drink can contain. However, Food Standards Agency best practice guidance suggests that 'reduced alcohol' drinks should have at least 30% less alcohol than the equivalent standard drink.
Low-alcohol drinks can be made by blending cider, beer, wine, or other alcoholic drinks with fruit juice, water, or other ingredients. Examples of low-alcohol drinks include non-alcoholic beers, spritzers (made with wine and carbonated water), and mixed drinks such as liquor with soda.
Substituting standard alcoholic drinks for low-alcohol products can help reduce your total alcohol consumption and keep you within low-risk drinking guidelines, which has important health benefits. Additionally, switching to low-alcohol drinks can help cut your calorie intake if you choose a low-calorie option.
Alcohol content is typically measured by alcohol by volume (ABV) or alcohol proof, which is twice the percentage of ABV. Understanding the specifics of alcohol types and content can help you determine how much alcohol is in your drink and, therefore, how much you are consuming.
