The rise of low alcohol by volume drinks

More social drinkers are becoming open to the idea of going on a night out and not getting sloshed.

This has led to bartenders having to cater for those who want to enjoy a drink with low alcohol volume.

Mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks are in, but sometimes taste buds long for the zing from your favourite spirit.

Low ABV (alcohol by volume) drinks mean you can spend lots of time at the bar, have more than one drink and not have to worry about being over the limit.

It also means you won’t wake up with a hangover.

Peter Good, co-owner of Mootee Bar in Johannesburg, says the low ABV is more than just a passing trend.

"Low ABV cocktails have been on the rise for five years.

"They are here to stay”, thanks to a rise in conscious consumers, innovative suppliers and knowledgeable bartenders.

"A good quality cocktail does not have to be overly boozy. Suppliers have also come to the game with several low to no ABV products."

Good says the recent rise in popularity in the categories of vermouth and sherry has seen the rise of drinks like vermouth and tonic and the essential sheep-in-wolf’s-clothing-drink, the Bamboo cocktail - a mix of vermouth, sherry and Angostura aromatic and orange bitters.

"Low ABV cocktails are by no means a new trend, it is a drink with an alcohol volume not exceeding 10%."

Adds Good’s business partner, Denzel Heath: "Gone are the days when a mocktail was dull."

Here's how you can make your own low ABV cocktails.