Christmas is a time for decadence, yet we are entering a golden age for low-alcohol cocktails as more and more bars and restaurants are offering dedicated low-abv options on their drinks menus. Health-conscious consumers are looking for a healthier drinking alternative that still provides a sense of occasion.
Here are three low alcohol serve suggestions which can easily be enjoyed from the comfort of home with friends and family.
Perthyn Lowgroni
Four Welsh Rugby icons, Shane Williams, James Hook, Lee Byrne, and Mike Phillips have united through friendship to launch Perthyn: The Spirit of Belonging. Perthyn takes its name from the Welsh meaning of belonging, Perthyn is a low alcohol spirit, full of flavour. Perthyn is a balance of 12 botanicals resulting in a zesty spirit with notes of citrus, cardamon and thyme.
35ml Perthyn | 25ml Vermouth | 25ml Campari
Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir for around 30 seconds and then strain into a fresh rocks glass over cubed ice or one large cube if available. Garnish with orange peel.
RRP £21.95 for 70cl. ABV 10%. Available from the Cardiff Distillery
Cotswolds Dry Gin Essence Raspberry & Elderflower Cooler
Cotswolds Dry Gin Essence is a full strength gin designed to reduce the amount of product and thus alcohol required in a G&T whilst at the same time retaining the intensity of flavour. It is made using ten times the botanical concentration of their award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin, which is already ten times more botanically intense than most premium gins. The result is a lighter and deliciously refreshing gin, with all the taste and 90% less alcohol than the standard 50 ml serve.
5ml (5 pipettes) Cotswolds Dry Gin Essence | 15ml Elderflower Cordial | 7.5ml Lime Juice (or 2 wedges) | 8 Raspberries | Kombucha or Soda
Muddle raspberries in a rocks glass, add ice and the rest of the ingredients. Top up with kombucha or soda water and stir. Garnish with raspberry and mint leaves.
RRP: £17.95 for 100ml (20 serves). ABV: 46%. Available from Cotswolds Distillery.
Pinkster Spritz
The team behind Pinkster Gin last year launched Pinkster Spritz, a lower alcohol spirit drink in two flavours, Raspberry & Hibiscus and Elderflower & Raspberry. Made with gin-soaked raspberries left over from producing Pinkster, it is bottled at 24% ABV and is designed to be the ideal base for a light and refreshing spritz. A 50ml Pinkster Spritz measure has no more than 80 calories.
50ml Pinkster Spritz | 50ml Fever-Tree’s Mexican Lime Soda
Add the ingredients to a large wine glass over ice. Garnish with a wedge of fresh lime.
RRP: £28.00 for 70cl. ABV: 24%. Available from Pinkster and Master of Malt.