Now that we have your attention with the most intriguing title, let us come straight to the point. These alcohols are no joke. Do you remember the night when you and your friends decided to go all out for drinks? Yes, we know you don’t recall it. What if we tell you that you can get blackout drunk with just one glass? That’s right, folks. These alcoholic drinks are so high in alcohol content that it’s going to feel like Superman just knocked the bejesus out of you. But do these really exist?
Let’s do a rapid-fire round. Quick! Name the strongest alcoholic drinks that you know. Whatever you said, it’s wrong! Even though vodka, whiskey, and absinthe are known to be strong, the general kind only ranges around 40-50% ABV. But what if we tell you that these can get even stronger? Here’s a list of the strongest alcoholic drinks to ever exist. Hang tight, your world is about to spin!
Strongest Alcoholic Drinks With ABV%
- Balkan 176 Vodka (88% ABV)
- Pincer Shanghai Strength Vodka (88.8% ABV)
- Hapsburg Gold Label Premium Reserve Absinthe (89.9% ABV)
- River Antoine Royale Grenadian Rum (90% ABV)
- Mariënburg Rum (90% ABV)
- Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Whisky (92% ABV)
- Golden Grain 190 (95% ABV)
- Everclear (95% ABV)
- Cocoroco (96% ABV)
- Spirytus Rektyfikowany (96% ABV)
1. Balkan 176 Vodka
Starting with vodka, Balkan 176 is produced in Poland and comes with 13 warnings printed right on the label. It is distilled three times to reach an ABV of 88% and is hand-crafted and packed into small bottles.
It tends to be smooth to taste and has a hint of pepper. Don’t try to smell it or try to drink it neat. Even a slight whiff can get the bold to fall to the ground.
ABV%: 88% (156 proof)
Type: Vodka (rye, wheat, oats, corn and barley)
Origin: Bulgaria
2. Pincer Shanghai Strength Vodka
Recite the Sluagh-ghairm, the Scottish war cry, because this vodka is going to taste like a war within your body and you will not be on the winning side. It’s made from Scottish grain and infused with milk thistle and wild elderflowers.
Pincer Shanghai Strength Vodka was specifically made for the Chinese market. Here’s a cool fact – the spirit is distilled to exactly 88.8% because the number ‘8’ is considered lucky in China. The more 8’s the better!
ABV%: 88.8% (157 proof)
Type: Vodka (Wheat)
Origin: Scotland
Also Read: Best Hangover Drinks To Have After A Wild Night Out
3. Hapsburg Gold Label Premium Reserve Absinthe
Absinthe just had to make this list! This super-strength spirit is feisty and not for the feign-hearted. Hapsburg Gold Label Premium Reserve Absinthe is named as the strongest absinthe to exist. It’s got a herbal flavor and it’s recommended to be diluted or made with a mixer before consumption.
If you do manage to get your hands on this bottle, drink with caution. This bright green drink aims to uphold the dangerous heights of ABV!
ABV%: 89.9% (179 proof)
Type: Absinthe (Wormwood)
Origin: Czech Republic
4. River Antoine Royale Grenadian Rum
We’re now touching the nineties and it’s about to reach a new level of danger. The name originates from its distillery that is located on Grenada’s northeast coast. River Antoine Royale Grenadian Rum is primarily made out of sugarcane instead of molasses.
This rum packs notes of pineapple, banana, berries, and blackcurrant. This then molds into hints of sour milk and tart gooseberry.
ABV%: 90% (180 proof)
Type: Rum (sugarcane)
Origin: Grenada (Near Eastern Caribbean Sea)
Also Read: 7 Classic Rum Cocktails
5. Mariënburg Rum
Thinking about alcohol being distilled to 90% ABV only feels like urban legends, but Mariënburg works to make it true. But who even thinks of making such a drink? Can’t be clinically sane. Mariënburg Rum was first made by a company by the name Suriname Alcoholic Beverages (SAB), which was formed in 1966 by several local distributors. They decided to come together to make and market alcoholic beverages in the country.
This rum is highly potent but a lot of reviews say that it falls flat in terms of taste. If you’re just looking to make a power-fueled drink, then this can be a way to go.
ABV%: 90% (180 proof)
Type: Rum (Trinidad-molasses)
Origin: Suriname (South America)
6. Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Whisky
Sounds straight out of a Harry Potter book, Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Whisky is the one that is determined to get your heart rate up and the sweat to flow down your spine. As the name suggests, this whiskey has been distilled four times to get it as strong as 92%.
Attention whisky lovers, this is not a drill. Bruichladdich is here to kill us all. Please stay indoors when you try this supernatural entity.
ABV%: 92% (184 proof)
Type: Whiskey
Origin: Scotland
Also Read: Whiskey Traditions Around The World
7. Golden Grain 190
It should not be mixed with flaming food or drinks, or it straight up explodes! Have you ever heard of something like this one before? Golden Grain 190 is proof that where there is a will, there is a way.
Though it comes in various sizes, the most commonly available is the 200 ml bottle. And that’s all you’re going to need anyway. This beverage is packed with a lot of power. It’s been described that it smells and tastes like hand sanitizer (That’s gnarly).
ABV%: 95% (190 proof)
Type: Rectified grain alcohol
Origin: United States
8. Everclear
The name comes from the fact that this alcoholic drink is crystal clear and highly potent. Though our list only highlights the extreme ABV drinks, this brand offers this spirit in 60, 75.5, and 94.5% ABV as well. Everclear is a neutral spirit with 92.4% ethanol. Here’s a weird fact—some people also use this as a disinfectant and for household cleaning. Should you really be drinking this then?
Since this one beats the limits of maximum alcohol content, it is hence banned in many places. This drink is so famous, that there is a band named after it!
ABV%: 95% (190 proof)
Type: Corn (Grain Alcohol)
Origin: United States
9. Cocoroco
Cocoroco is a special mention in this list since this is illegal in some countries. Like rum, this one is made out of sugar cane and is sold as “potable alcohol.” This is the only alcoholic drink that is often packaged in tin cans. Cocoroco is notably made by Ceibo and Caiman. Latin American countries have been found to drink this alcohol with hot water to keep their bodies warm during ice-breaking winters.
ABV%: 96% (192 proof)
Type: Sugarcane
Origin: Bolivia
Also Read: How To Drink Rum
10. Spirytus Rektyfikowany
Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. The Spirytus Rektyfikowany is the grand champion of all blackout alcohols. Don’t even dare grab it by the neck (of the bottle) and attempt to drink it neat. It’s out there to kill everyone. Tread carefully.
Spirytus Rektyfikowany is a type of rectified spirit and may not be all that digestible. It’s still smooth and neutral in taste.
It is most commonly associated with home cooking and is sometimes used for its medicinal properties. Someone had also managed to use this to cure their arthritis by massaging his joints with this alcohol. A true miracle drink!
ABV%: 96% (192 proof)
Type: Premium Ethyl Alcohol (Cereal origin)
Origin: Poland
Summing Up
Spirit makers have gone to extraordinary strengths to make these dangerous alcoholic drinks. We suggest drinking this just once out of respect, and then switching back to your regular choice. Seriously, don’t be a hero. These drinks can harm you and they don’t just stop at painful burning and nausea. So don’t have them straight. You have been warned!
FAQs
What Drink Is 100% Alcohol?
At this moment, no one has been able to make any drink that’s 100% alcohol but Spirytus Rektyfikowany and Cocoroco come close, with 96% ABV each.
What Alcohol Gets You Drunk The Fastest?
Vodka, tequila, and rum can get you drunk fast. Whiskey can also be considered to get you liquored up in no time.
Is Vodka A Strong Alcohol?
Vodka is considered to be one of the strongest alcoholic beverages. They range from 40-90% ABV, depending on the distillation processes and grain type.
Is Vodka Or Tequila Stronger?
Vodka is stronger than tequila. Vodka has a range of 40-90% ABV, while tequila is available at 38% and 40% ABV.
What Is A Good First Drink?
Starting off with cocktails can be beneficial to develop the taste for alcohol. They help dilute and change the direct taste of alcohol. It’s easier to consume without feeling any aversion to them. Wine can also be a good first choice.
Which Is The Strongest Whiskey In India?
The strongest Indian whiskey is Amrut Fusion, clocking its alcohol content at 50% ABV.
