If you are a fan of beers, wines, and malts, then this one is for you. It’s even better if you enjoy fruit-flavored alcohol because in this article, we’ll be telling you how to make the best low ABV cocktails. These use easily available natural ingredients and your favorite light alcohols. So take a trip to your nearest stores and make your next favorite cocktail!
8 Best Low ABV Cocktails To Make
- Mimosa
- Kir Royale
- Aperol Spritz
- Sangria
- Wine Spritzer
- Mulled Wine
- Beermosa
- Radler
1. Mimosa
This classic brunch beverage was first introduced by the French to the world in 1925. Mimosa has a floral connection as it was named after the bright orange flower which is usually found in America. You would wonder why this cocktail has such low ABV, it’s because champagne is the only alcoholic drink in it and it has an ABV of 12%.
It has been widely accepted as a drink for every occasion from weddings to get together. These are also served in the first class section of airline services. A drink so popular that it has its own holiday in the United States, 16th May of every year is celebrated as the National Mimosa Day!
Ingredients
- 2.5 ounces of orange juice
- 2.5 ounces of champagne/sparkling wine
- Orange slices (to garnish)
How To Make Mimosa
- Take orange juice and pour it in a wine glass.
- Add champagne or sparkling wine to the glass and stir it a bit.
- Garnish with orange slices.
Also read: 7 Easy Cocktails To Make At Home
2. Kir Royale
Another gift by the French, Kir Royale was invented by a priest and the then mayor of Dijon, Burgundy. His name was Canon Felix Kir and he made this drink during the second world war! Now that’s a man who had his priorities all figured out. This drink was created as a symbol of resistance against the Germans in Burgundy.
Kir Royale consists of creme de cassis which gives it that rich berry sweet flavor. The nature of this cocktail makes it ideal for occasions like dates, parties, and family gatherings. As champagne is the only alcoholic beverage in this cocktail, Kir Royale is one of lowest ABV cocktails going around.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce of creme de Cassis
- 4.5 ounces of champagne
- Mint leaves (to garnish)
How To Make Kir Royale
- Pour Creme de Cassis into the cocktail glass.
- Top this with champagne.
- Add mint leaves to garnish this cocktail.
3. Aperol Spritz
We feel that everyone should be like oranges, as a fruit it’s juicy and as a color its the happiest one. So why not make your cocktail like it. Aperol Spritz, which is often called an Italian sunset in glass, is one of the best cocktails to come from Repubblica Italiana.
This is a wine-based cocktail whose roots go back to the 1800’s. That was when the Austrian soldiers in Italy diluted their wines with water. Thank god we are not doing that anymore. Different ingredients made their way into the original recipe and completely overhauled it.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of Aperol
- 3 ounces of Prosecco
- 1 ounce of club soda
- Slice of fresh orange (to garnish)
How To Make Aperol Spritz
- The process of making this cocktail can be remembered easily. Just remember the quantity as 3-2-1.
- Basically 3 parts of Prosecco, 2 parts of Aperol, and 1 part of club soda.
- Mix the three in a wine glass, stir it well, and then add a slice of fresh orange to garnish it.
Also read: 7 Best Sparkling Wine Cocktail Recipes
4. Sangria
In Roman times, it was believed that adding wine and fruits to the water would instantly kill the germs present in it. Well, this precautionary measure turned out to be one of the earliest versions of Sangria. The one which we see today is believed to be associated with the British and French from the 1800’s when they were out on their “exploration tour.”
It’s said that the original roots of Sangria were based in Spain. The name comes from the Spanish word for blood ‘sangre,’ which is given due to the rich red color of this drink. Take a moment to think about how so many countries played a role in making this cocktail!
Ingredients
- 3 ounces of red wine
- Oranges
- Orange juice
- Lemons
- 1.5 ounces of brandy or rum
How To Make Sangria
- Chop the fruits in a square shape.
- Add 4 pieces of oranges and lemons in a glass.
- Pour red wine into this mix.
- Add brandy or rum to this mixture.
- You can add sweeteners like maple syrup to give it a sweet flavor.
- Keep the glass in the freezer for a few hours till it gets cold enough and the ingredients mix well.
Also read: A Safety Guide To Set Cocktails On Fire
5. Wine Spritzer
Looking for the best cocktails to have in the summer, look no further than Wine Spritzer. This cocktail is an ideal choice for many in the European countries, especially in Hungary where it is believed to have originated from. Don’t worry if you are not planning to visit Hungary any time soon, this cocktail tastes just as good in Haryana or anywhere else! Wine Spritzer can be made using both red and white wines but is usually made from the white one.
Ingredients
Ensure that the ingredients are chilled.
- 2 ounces of white wine
- 2 ounces of club soda
- Slice of lime
How To Make Wine Spritzer
- Add some ice cubes to your wine glass.
- Fill half of it with white wine.
- Add a slice of lime to the mix.
- Pour the club soda into the glass and fill the glass to the edge.
- If you want to make it tangy, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the glass.
6. Mulled Wine
This drink has traveled along with the Romans and conquered the world with its smoky flavor. The recipe of this cocktail has been the same from the start. Romans used to heat their wines in order to battle the extreme cold conditions. Spices were added in it to protect the drink and to keep it drinkable for longer periods of time. Mulled wine is usually drunk during Christmas in many countries, but it’s a delight that can be enjoyed around the year.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces of dry red wine
- 2 ounces of brandy or rum
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 1 tbsp. of whole cloves
- 2 tbsps. of honey
- Orange slice (to garnish)
How To Make Mulled Wine
- Pour the dry red wine into a vessel.
- Add the orange slice, star anise, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and honey into the vessel.
- Heat the vessel on medium flame and bring the mixture to the point where it’s simmering.
- The thing to remember here is that it should not boil or else the alcohol will evaporate.
- The next step is to reduce the flame and cook at this flame for over 10-15 minutes.
- Consume it warm or hot and garnish with an orange slice.
Also read: Alcohol Industry Trends Liquor Companies Need To Follow
7. Beermosa
Coming from a family of mimosa, we have its cousin, Beermosa! Similar to mimosa in every sense, the only thing that’ll matter here is the kind of beer you use. It’s recommended to use a mild beer to get the best taste, but hey! You do you.
As it is with many cocktails, this too was an accident. The legend has it that this drink originated at a camping trip as a cure for a hangover. We hope such accidents happen more frequently, except the hangover part. It is obvious that since beer is the only alcoholic drink in this cocktail, the ABV here is 5.5%.
Ingredients
- 1 pint of beer
- 3 ounces of orange juice
How To Make Beermosa
- Pour a pint of beer into the mug.
- Add orange juice according to your taste.
8. Radler
How can we have anything related to beer and not mention Germany. Radler’s origin, although not confirmed, has been traced back to 1922. It all happened in Germany when Franz Xaver Kugler decided to capitalize on the cycling craze of the country. When Kugler ran out of beer to feed his guests, he decided to mix the beer with lemon soda, and viola! Radler is born. This combination of lemonade and lager has an ABV of just 3%.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of mild beer
- 8 ounces of lemonade or lemon soda
How To Make Radler
- Pour the beer into a glass.
- Then add lemonade or lemon soda to the glass.
Summing up
Cocktails have an amazing power of getting just the right amount of everything for your palate at the same time. The above list is enough to prove this point. From fruits to spices, we have included them all. As these have low ABV, you can enjoy their light and sweet buzz while staying in your limits.
FAQs
What Is The Full Form Of ABV?
The full form of ABV is Alcohol by Volume. It shows the percentage of alcohol present in the total quantity of a drink.
Does ABV Make A Difference?
The ABV of a drink will determine if the drink is strong or not.
How Does ABV Work?
ABV count in any alcoholic beverage will show you the actual quantity of pure alcohol present in it.
What Makes A Cocktail Low-ABV?
Low ABV in the world of spirits means that the drink has a lower alcohol content by volume. Spirits like wine, fortified wine, and vermouth are used the most when it comes to making low-ABV cocktails.
What Range Is Considered Low-ABV For A Cocktail?
The average range for low ABV cocktails is anywhere from 0.05% to 12%.
What Alcohol Has Less Than 15% ABV?
Alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and malts have an ABV that’s less than 15%.
What Percentage Of Alcohol Is Zero-Proof?
As per the government guidelines, Zero-proof alcohol should have a 0.05% ABV.
Which Alcohol Has More ABV?
Gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and whiskey are alcohols that have more ABV.
