Low-ABV Recipes

It's no secret that consumers are moderating and drinking less alcohol. Even as we enter the holidays, a season commonly associated with indulgence, make sure your cocktail menu is balanced and offers something for those looking for a lower ABV as well.

 

Here are some recipes for lower-alcohol offerings—plus a mocktail!

 

 

low-abv cocktail
low-abv cocktail
Photo & recipe: Pallini Limoncello

Pallini Floral Cloud

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Gin Mare

 0.75 oz Pallini Limoncello

0.5 oz Lemon Juice

0.5 oz Crème de Violette

Directions:

  1. Shake on ice.
  2. Strain into a chilled wine glass.
  3. Top with a hibiscus, rose, and orange blossom “cloud.”

 

low-abv cocktail
low-abv cocktail
Recipe: Althea Codamon, Partner/Beverage Director, Osteria Radisa (Photo: Evan Sung)

Gumamela

Ingredients:

1 oz. Aperitivo Primo
1 oz. Hibiscus Syrup
2 dash Peychaud's
4 oz. Prosecco
1 ea. rosemary sprig for garnish

Directions:

For the hibiscus syrup: 

  1. Bring 500g of water to a boil and remove from heat.
  2. Add 500g of white sugar and 250g of dried hibiscus flowers to the water and stir until sugar is dissolved.
  3. Steep for at least 30 minutes and strain.

For the cocktail:

  1. Fill a stemmed glass with fresh ice.
  2. Add Primo, hibiscus syrup, Peychaud's bitters, and top with Prosecco.
  3. Garnish with the rosemary sprig, slightly stirring to incorporate before serving.

 

low-abv cocktail recipe
low-abv cocktail recipe
Recipe by Kenta Goto, Owner of Bar Goto, and Bar Goto Niban  (Photo: Alex Staniloff)

Lemon Chu-Hai 

Ingredients:

0.5 tsp Lemon juice

1 tsp Nardini Cedro

1.75 oz iichiko Silhouette

3.5 oz Club Soda

Glassware: Highball

Garnish: Lemon Twist

Directions:

  1. Shake with ice.
  2. Strain into highball over ice.
  3. Top with club soda.

 

non alc cocktail recipe
non alc cocktail recipe
Photo & recipe: FLUÈRE 

FLUÈRE Basil Smash

Ingredients:

50 ml FLUÈRE Original Botanical

25 ml Lime Juice

15 ml Simple Syrup

Directions:

  1. Muddle fresh basil with lime juice, add simple syrup, shake with ice.
  2. Double-strain into a tumbler.
  3. Add FLUÈRE and garnish with a basil leaf.

 

low abv cocktail recipe
low abv cocktail recipe
Recipe: Frederic Yarm, Bartender, Gato Exotico

Bornean Spiderhunter

Ingredients:

2 oz Cynar
1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Campari
1/2 oz Passion Fruit Syrup
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1 pinch Salt

Directions:

  1. Dissolve the salt in the fruit juices (or use 3-4 drops 20% saline solution to skip the dissolving step).
  2. Add rest of the ingredients and shake with a few ice cubes.
  3. Strain into a Tiki mug, fill with crushed ice, and garnish with mint sprigs and an edible flower if available.

 

mocktail recipe
mocktail recipe
Photo & recipe: Monin

Jolly(ish) Rancher Batch

Ingredients:

20 oz. Monin Granny Smith Apple Syrup

10 oz. fresh lemon juice

39 oz. white cranberry juice

39 oz. green tea

20 oz. filtered water

Garnish: Gummy candy

Directions:

  1. Pour ingredients into suitable mixing container in order listed.
  2. Whisk well to mix.
  3. Portion into appropriate storage container(s).
  4. Cover, label, day dot, and store refrigerated.

 

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