In the past, alcohol-free (or low-alcohol) drinks were not very popular. At one point, if you were at a pub watching the summer’s biggest sporting events, were hosting a barbecue for friends and family, or were having a celebratory drink, it would be quite unusual to see anyone reaching for an alcohol-free beverage. Our general reliance on alcohol in certain social situations is actually quite interesting. Whether it’s due to certain social expectations or pure enjoyment is open to interpretation. However, one thing is certain: alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks are becoming increasingly popular.
Gone are the days of social stigma when you order an alcohol-free beer or a mocktail at the bar. In fact, in some corners, it is encouraged!
Being realistic, there have always been a multitude of reasons why someone may decide to go teetotal, ranging from being the designated driver, to personal reasons and sheer preference. However, another reason why someone may choose to opt for an alcohol-free option is due to an alcohol intolerance or allergy.
Alcohol Intolerance and Alcohol-Free Drinks
Finding a suitable beverage can be challenging for those who are intolerant or allergic to alcohol: especially with the risk of unpleasant or dangerous reactions looming over each sip. Luckily, the growing prevalence of low-alcohol and alcohol-free beverages can help. These drinks are quickly transforming the teetotal landscape, offering many alternatives that provide the same delicious taste as alcoholic beverages without the negative side effects. This means you can enjoy some of your favourite drinks in a safe and comfortable environment.
However, while alcohol-free drinks may not directly contain alcohol, there are still some associated risks. Firstly, some drinks may contain traces of alcohol, which can be particularly troublesome for those with a severe alcohol intolerance or allergy. For these individuals, even the slightest trace of alcohol could trigger a reaction. Alcohol intolerance symptoms can vary in severity, but none are particularly pleasant. Some reactions include flushing, nausea, headaches, or a rapid heartbeat.
It is also worth noting that, although these beverages may contain little to no alcohol, they may still contain ingredients that could be detrimental to allergy sufferers or people with food intolerances. For example, alcohol-free beer will likely contain ingredients such as gluten, barley, hops, and yeast, all of which could cause an allergic reaction in some people or trigger a food intolerance reaction in others.. If you have an allergy or intolerance, it is always important to double-check the ingredients and consider the potential side effects.
In the rest of this blog, we’ll explore some of the best low-alcohol and alcohol-free alternatives.
Alcohol-Free Beer
Alcohol-free or low-alcohol beer is quickly becoming a mainstay in bars, pubs, and restaurants. It is popular not only with allergy sufferers, but also with those who are looking for a low-calorie alternative to alcoholic beverages.
Many popular breweries have embraced this trend, with names such as Guinness, Heineken, and Peroni offering alcohol-free versions of their best-selling drinks. Many drinkers have noted that the teetotal versions taste the same as the originals, meaning you don’t have to compromise on taste if you have an alcohol allergy.
However, alcohol-free beers are not a haven for everyone. Many of these beers still contain allergens such as gluten, so those suffering from coeliac disease should beware. While there are some beers that are both gluten-free and alcohol-free, this should not be assumed as the norm.
Mocktails
Mocktails are essentially cocktails without the inclusion of alcohol. These drinks are mixed, ready-to-drink and are usually lower in calories and sugar than the alcoholic originals. Mocktails are quickly taking over bars and restaurants all over the world. They are quite trendy and are usually cheaper than their alcoholic originals. Each bar can also put its own spin on mocktails, with many bars offering slight variations on already established classics, such as Espresso Martinis and a Manhattan, or offering their own unique blend flavours.
You can also enjoy a mocktail in the comfort of your own home. All you need to do is purchase the ingredients, look up how to make it online and you will be good to go. Some of the most popular mocktails include a virgin pina colada, a non-alcoholic mojito, a sunrise mocktail and a Shirley Temple.
Alcohol-Free Spirits
While you may have heard of mocktails and alcohol-free beers, it may surprise you to know that you can also get alcohol-free spirits. Because spirits are so high in alcohol content, you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s impossible to have a non-alcoholic spirit, but that’s actually not the case!
You can purchase alcohol-free vodka, gin, whiskey and other spirits in many different supermarkets. For those of you who enjoy a decanter full of your favourite spirits, you can still do so without the inclusion of alcohol.
Furthermore, many famous distilleries are producing alcohol-free versions of some of their favourite drinks, such as Captain Morgans, Gordan’s alcohol-free gin and Dead Man’s Fingers. So fill up your Glencairn and raise a glass to a stiff alcohol-free drink!
Alcohol-Free Wine
For those of you who enjoy a glass of wine but are intolerant to alcohol, you needn’t worry, as you can purchase alcohol-free wine. Whether you drink red or white wine or prefer sparkling or rosé, there are a multitude of non-alcoholic wines available from stores and bars alike. For those with an intolerance to beer, wines may be a viable alternative because they don’t usually contain some of the many ingredients which may cause a beer intolerance.Â
Alcohol-Free Ciders
Alcohol-free ciders have a major advantage over non-alcoholic beers — they are nearly always gluten-free! For many people, cider is the perfect summertime drink and, for those with allergies, alcohol-free cider is one of the best options available.
Non-alcoholic ciders are a much safer choice for those with alcohol allergies, people with celiac disease, and anyone with an intolerance to beer. Many well-known cider producers have been offering non-alcoholic versions of their famous ciders for years, so it’s easy to find non-alcoholic versions of popular ciders such as Kopparberg, Old Mout, and many others.
Low-Alcohol Drinks
While low-alcohol drinks may not be suitable for all alcohol and other ingredient allergy sufferers, they should still be a consideration.
Pretty much all of the previously-mentioned drinks also have low-alcohol versions, and their packaging will clearly distinguish between those which are absent of alcohol entirely and those which have a very small alcohol content. If you do decide to opt for low-alcohol drinks, just remember that they should still really be consumed in moderation to check that they do not aggravate any existing personal or physical conditions.
Things To Consider
As we’ve previously alluded to, before you raise a glass and enjoy your alcoholic-free beverage there are still a few more things to consider:
Read the Label
Most allergy and intolerance sufferers will understand the pain of always having to read labels on any product they buy. Well, alcohol-free beverages should be no exception. You should always double-check the label to ensure that the drink does not contain any other ingredients which may cause you harm. If you do identify potential risk, such as the product declaring it ‘may’ contain your allergen or cause of your intolerance, you will have to consider the potential risks. It’s wise to avoid it entirely.
Cross-contamination
Those with food allergies and intolerances always need to be wary of cross-contamination. Well, the same can be said for drinks in general. Most of the previously-mentioned drinks may still be produced in a place which handles potential allergy or intolerance causing ingredients or houses alcohol, so while every attempt will be made to ensure the drink is free of allergy or intolerance causing ingredients or alcohol-free, there could be the risk of cross-contamination.
Your Own Specific Requirements
As with most things in life, there is not always a one-size-fits-all. Alcohol allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe, and this will affect your ability to drink. Before drinking anything, you should always consider your own unique circumstances. If you are unsure about the differences between alcohol intolerance and allergies, or you have a beer intolerance, then be sure to check out some of our previous blogs on the topics for guidance.
If you think you may have an allergy or intolerance, then please contact us today. We can help to establish if you have an allergy or intolerance with one of our food intolerance and allergy test kits.
