Low-ABV and non-alcoholic drinks - what’s the draw?
Decem Low ABV Spirit
In the United States, anything that's less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) can be labeled “non-alcoholic.” For example, kombucha has an ABV of around 0.5% due to the alcohol released in its fermentation process. All fermented foods, such as vinegar, sauerkraut, kefir, and soy sauce, contain some alcohol.
There are differing definitions of what constitutes a “low-ABV” drink, but a drink around 4-7% alcohol by volume tends to be a popular range. The category includes wine, beer, aperitifs, and cider.
There are a few different reasons I have recently become interested in lowering my alcohol intake. The first is that heavy alcohol use has been linked with several cancers: The World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research indicate that there is convincing evidence linking alcohol to cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, breast, liver, colon, and rectum.
Additionally, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, “the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, a simple molecule called ethanol, affects the body in many different ways. It directly influences the stomach, brain, heart, gallbladder, and liver. It affects levels of lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and insulin in the blood, as well as inflammation and coagulation. It also alters mood, concentration, and coordination.”
There are many different ways to lower your alcohol intake per drink. One is to obviously cut out drinking, or at least ceasing during the week. However, these restrictions can lead to anxiety if you do drink socially during the week from time to time.
Another way is lowering the proof in cocktails by replacing part of the liquor with an aperitif — for example, a “50-50 martini, made with equal parts gin, white vermouth and orange bitters,” or using sparkling wine or seltzer to mix with gin or another liquor. Examples of low-abv/zero proof aperitifs and spirits include Haus (15% abv), Seedlip (zero proof), Ghia (zero proof), Martini & Rossi (zero proof), Spiritless (zero proof), and Ritual (zero proof).
A third way is to replace the alcoholic or low-abv drink with something non-alcoholic, or a mocktail of sorts. This way you get to imbibe with others, while removing the hangover the next day. Some brands like Sun Chaser, Kin Euphorics, hiyo, De Soi and Recess offer adaptogenic benefits to give you a different kind of “buzz.”
More low-abv drink options here! And of course I’m a huge proponent of hard kombucha, like June Shine, that’s good for the gut, too.
