Mid-proof spirits are having a moment – here are the best to try
telegraph.co.ukdifferent story. Low- and no-alcohol sales totalled £221 million last year, and the analyst IWSR expects the market to more than double to £558 million by 2024.But are we moderating by oscillating between the stop-start extremes of drinking almost nothing, and mainlining martinis from 6pm?
The new mid-proof spirits movement aims to offer options that occupy the middle ground, with an ABV (alcohol by volume) of between 10 per cent and 30 per cent – compared with 40 per cent and upwards in standard spirits.‘The idea is that instead of meeting someone for just one drink, you can be involved and enjoy three or four rounds, then leave knowing you’ve consumed the equivalent of one,’ says Rohan Radhakrishnan, co-founder of Quarter, which makes Light G/N, a gin-inspired spirit with an ABV of just 12 per cent.Quarter is not the only brand carving out this space.
Last year, the French vodka company Grey Goose launched Essences, a range of vodka-based spirit drinks with an ABV of 30 per cent in flavours such as watermelon and basil or strawberry and lemongrass (available in supermarkets, £39 for 70cl).
Beefeater Gin has developed Beefeater Light (20 per cent ABV) and currently sells only in Spain. Similarly, Ballantine’s whisky which, like Beefeater, is owned by Pernod Ricard, has launched Ballantine’s Light (20 per cent ABV).I know what you’re thinking: can’t you just put more tonic in your gin? ‘If you wanted a lower-strength beer you wouldn’t just take a higher strength one and pour more water in it,’ says Radhakrishnan.
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