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8 Low Alcohol Drinks To Sip This Summer
For when you’re looking for something not too boozy.
Sometimes you don’t want a glass of wine or a cocktail. Maybe it’s a hot day and sitting in the sun with something boozy sounds like a recipe for disaster. Perhaps you’re in the mood to sip on something all night long. Or maybe you just have a lower tolerance for alcohol. Whatever the reason may be, that’s where low ABV drinks come in.
What’s considered low ABV? Well, that’s all relative. But consider that the average whiskey or tequila clocks in at 40% while wine is around 11 to 13 percent, it’s safe to assume anything below that. Most beers qualify as a low ABV beverage as does hard seltzers. But if you’re not in the mood for that and you’re looking for something similar to a cocktail, spritz, or even a hard kombucha, we have a few ideas for you. Read on for favorite low ABV drinks that you can sip on, all summer long.
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If You Like Yuzu
At 7% this spritz consists of two ingredients: brut sparkling wine and yuzu juice, sourced from a family-owned producer in Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan. It’s simple and low in sugar, so you won’t feel terrible the next morning.
Get Usual Wines Yuzu Spritz, 8-pack ($48) →
Our Favorite Hard Kombucha
Writer Devine Blacksher introduced me to the wonders of Juneshine when we used to work together and since then I’ve become a convert. Their blood orange mint flavor is hands down my favorite, with its bitter meets sour flavor. It’s 6% ABV and especially good stashed in a beach bag for a day by the water.
Get Juneshine Blood Orange Mint Hard Kombucha ($36) →
Another Hard Kombucha We Really Love
Jiant’s a new brand of hard kombucha I’ve tried recently and their guava mint flavor is another favorite. Guava-flavored food and drinks are an emerging food trend and Jiant’s version is juicy, sweet, and very easy to drink at 5% ABV.
Get Jiant Hard Kombucha Guavamente, 4 pack ($12) →
If You Want to Make Your Own Spritz
Inspired by the tradition of drinking apéritifs like the Americano, a low ABV cocktail, Haus is a line of fruit and herb-based apéritifs. Technically they’re higher in alcohol content than most of the drinks on the list but they’re still lower than your standard hard liquor. The best way to keep things light and easy? Mix with some seltzer and make spritzes, so you can enjoy it all night long.
Get Haus The Sampler Kit ($50) →
The One That Tastes Like a Nineties Throwback
You’ve probably never heard of Long Drink but it’s a common alcoholic beverage in Finland. Conceived by the government in 1952, as a way to serve lots of guests during the Summer Olympics, it’s traditionally made with gin and fruit juice. The classic style uses grapefruit, and this canned version is reminiscent of Fresca. At 5.5% ABV, it’s a solid choice if you want something not too sweet.
Get Long Drink Traditional Citrus Soda ($25 for 6) →
If You Like Palomas
While this might have cocktail in the name, this version of a Paloma actually uses an agave-based wine and not tequila. At 4% ABV, it’s fizzy and just sweet enough to feel like you’re enjoying a well-balanced mixed drink.
Get Miami Cocktail Co. Paloma Spritz ($15) →
If You Like Margaritas
This is another option that’s made from agave that’s lighter than your standard tequila. Mixed with calamansi juice and a bit of salt, this reminds me of a margarita except with lower ABV (it’s around 4%).
Get Zuzu Calamansi Lime Sparkling Cocktail (from $21) →
If You’re Looking for a Wine Spritzer
Writer Siobhan Reid mentioned this was one of her favorite canned wines, even though it’s technically a spritz. Ramona is founded by Jordan Salcito, the former sommelier and beverage director at both Eleven Madison Park and Momofuku. Made with an organic Silician wine and blended with grapefruit juice, it has 7% ABV so it’s a light, refreshing sip made for aperitivo hour.