Mixing alcohol with juice or other mixers to create a cocktail is a staple for most social events, but there is much debate as to whether these drinks have a lower alcohol content from being mixed. Some believe the mixers dilute the alcohol making the beverage less potent. Others insist the ingredients, particularly the sugars, help to increase the alcoholic potency.
There’s no right or wrong answer to the question since many variables play into the equation, including what alcohol and the amount used. Regardless of what you blend into the liquor, the potency will likely remain the same. What can decrease is how the alcohol absorbs into your body.
When a cocktail is poured for you, if the server doesn’t stir a drink of spirits mixed with juice or water, you might not notice the spirits floating on top and drink it as it’s getting the full effect of the alcohol. The natural blending of juice and alcohol takes considerable time. You have to stir or shake to encourage the two to blend.
When blending juice with alcohol, if it is stirred, the taste will be pleasant, often resulting in an individual either drinking faster or consuming more. That can actually increase the blood alcohol level since most people lose track of the number of “standard” drinks they’ve had, leading to rapid intoxication.
Will Adding Juice To Your Alcohol Leave You A Little Less Buzzed?
The addition of mixers like fruit juices to alcohol instead of taking straight shots of spirits or drinking wine or beer will only dilute the drink slightly.
If you hope to reduce the potency and decrease your chances of getting drunk, the best way to do that is to hydrate with water, eat something before drinking, and snack throughout the evening, plus pay attention to how much you consume.
A standard drink consists of “1-¼ ounces of a distilled spirit, 12 ounces of beer, or 4 ounces of wine.” Each consists of comparable purity, which is roughly “½ ounce.” In most cases, when being served, these standards are far exceeded with a single drink. When combining juices and other non-alcoholic mixers plus ice or adding water, things become complex.
A primary factor is how the drink is mixed and how much alcohol is put in the mixture. If you receive a standard drink mixed correctly with fruit juices or water, these can slow how your body absorbs the alcohol and potentially reduce your BAC (blood alcohol content).
However, mixing with a carbonated beverage will increase absorption and raise your BAC despite a comparable amount of alcohol, juices, or water.
What Are Some Rules The First-Timer With Alcohol Consumption Should Follow
The suggestion for those beginning their foray into alcohol consumption is to actually start slowly with cocktails mixed with fruit juices or water. As a young newbie being served, the likelihood of the drinks being strong is low. Generally, these will be diluted with the recommendation that you pace yourself.
Aside from the juice diluting the drink, consuming water will aid with hydration allowing the body to process the alcohol, which can take as long as an hour for a unit. Consider these suggestions when consuming alcohol.
Choose cocktails mixed with fruit juice or water instead of shots
Straight shots of alcohol are exceptionally more potent than a cocktail diluted with fruit juice. The juice will help to slow the absorption and keep the BAC content low. A priority when receiving a drink from a server is to stir before consuming. If you don’t ask that the drink be stirred or shaken, it will be served as is.
Fruit juice is exceptionally dense, meaning it will drop to the bottom, with the spirits floating to the top. If you drink without stirring, you’ll consume the alcohol unblended since it takes a considerable amount of time for the two substances to mix naturally.
If stirred, it will taste good, probably sweet, but it’s wise to consume slowly and avoid ordering more until you drink a full glass of water and enjoy a snack while the alcohol processes through your body. Consuming too fast and too many could mean becoming drunk before you realize it.
The fruit juice in the cocktail doesn’t constitute food
Even if you’re having cocktails with fruit juice, you should never start drinking on an empty stomach. The alcohol in the drink works its way into the stomach and small intestine to reach the bloodstream.
This process happens rapidly if there’s no food to slow it down. The suggestion is to consume a meal before going for drinks, one that’s heavy in protein.
Proteins take longer to digest in the body, helping to slow down the alcohol moving through the system. While drinking, snacking on nuts throughout the evening is a good source also.
Stop when you’ve had enough
As a first-timer consuming alcohol, it’s wise to put in some time researching how cocktails can affect the body, what variables to consider, and how to know when you’ve had enough. Again, the fruit juice will make the alcohol seem like it’s not affecting you, almost harmless, but you won’t feel the effects immediately.
Knowing what to anticipate will benefit you; moderation is a priority for healthy drinking. You should feel no pressure to keep up with friends accompanying you for the evening but instead consider the repercussions if you overindulge. Also, even if you have no desire or thirst, drink water following your drinks to remain hydrated.
Conclusion
Fruit juice added to alcohol will dilute the alcohol allowing a sweeter taste with the potential for an individual to drink the beverage faster and consume more than they usually would, with the possibility of becoming drunk sooner rather than later. Does it make alcohol weaker?
When looking at an actual standard drink measured appropriately with the contents stirred, the potency could be affected, but there are no conclusive studies to answer that question concretely.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
