Even in ancient times, people have learned to produce a variety of alcoholic beverages. The list of titles includes great amount species and varieties. They differ mainly in the raw materials from which they were prepared.

List of low alcohol alcoholic beverages

. Beer- a low-alcohol drink, obtained by fermenting hops, malt wort and brewer's yeast. The alcohol content in it is 3-12%

. Champagne - a sparkling wine obtained by secondary fermentation. Contains 9-20% alcohol.

. Wine- an alcoholic drink obtained by fermentation of yeast and grape juice different varieties, the names of which are usually present in the name. The alcohol content is 9-20%.

. Vermouth - fortified wine, flavored with spicy and medicinal plants, the main component is wormwood. Fortified wines contain 16-18% alcohol.

. Sake- Japanese traditional alcoholic drink. Obtained by fermentation of rice, rice malt and water. The strength of this drink is 14.5-20% vol.

Spirits

. Tequila... The traditional Mexican product is made from the juice extracted from the heart of the blue agave. "Silver" and "Gold" tequila are especially common alcoholic drinks. The list can be continued with such names as "Sauza", "Jose Cuervo" or "Sierra". The best software taste a drink aged 4-5 years is considered. The alcohol content is 38-40%.

. Sambuca... Strong Italian liqueur based on alcohol and essential oil obtained from anise. The most popular are white, black and red sambuca. Fortress - 38-42%.

. Liqueurs... Strong sweet alcoholic drinks. The list can be divided into 2 categories: cream liqueurs (20-35%), dessert (25-30%) and strong (35-45%).

. Cognac... Strong alcoholic drink based on cognac alcohol obtained by distilling wine. Distillation takes place in special copper cubes, the product is subject to subsequent aging in oak barrels at least two years. After diluting alcohol with distilled water, it acquires a strength of 42-45%.

. Vodka... Refers to strong drinks with an alcohol content of 35-50%. It is a mixture of water and alcohol made from natural products by fermentation followed by distillation. The most popular drinks: Absolute, Pshenichnaya, Stolichnaya vodka.

. Brandy... An alcoholic drink made from fermented grape juice by distillation. The alcohol content in it is 30-50%.

. Gin... Strong alcoholic drink with unique taste obtained by distillation of wheat alcohol and juniper. To enhance the taste, natural additives may be present in it: lemon or orange peel, anise, cinnamon, coriander. The strength of the gin is 37.5-50%.

. Whiskey... A strong drink made by fermentation, distillation and aging of cereals (barley, corn, wheat, etc.). Aged in oak barrels. Contains alcohol in the amount of 40-50%.

. Rum... One of the strongest alcoholic drinks. It is made on the basis of alcohol, aged in barrels for at least 5 years, thanks to which it gains Brown color and a pungent taste. Rum strength varies from 40 to 70%.

. Absinthe... A very strong drink with an alcohol content of 70 to 85%. It is based on alcohol, wormwood extract and a set of herbs such as anise, mint, licorice, calamus and some others.

Here are the main alcoholic drinks. This list is not final, it can be continued with other names. However, they will all be derived from the main composition.

Types of alcoholic beverages

All drinks in different amounts containing a substance called ethanol, also known as alcohol, are called alcoholic beverages. They are mainly divided into three classes:

3. Strong alcoholic drinks.

Bread kvass... Depending on the manufacturing method, it may contain from 0.5 to 1.5% alcohol. It is prepared on the basis of malt (barley or rye), flour, sugar, water, has a refreshing taste and bread aroma.

The actual beer... It is made from almost the same components as kvass, but with the addition of hops and yeast. Regular beer contains 3.7-4.5% alcohol, but there is also strong beer, where this percentage rises to 7-9 units.

Koumiss, ayran, bilk. Fermented milk drinks. May contain up to 4.5% alcohol.

Energy alcoholic drinks... They contain tonic substances: caffeine, guarana extract, cocoa alkaloids, etc. The alcohol content in them ranges from 7-8%.

Second category

Natural grape wines... Depending on the sugar content and the grade of the main raw materials, they are divided into dry, semi-dry, sweet and semi-sweet, as well as white and red. The names of the wines also depend on the grape varieties used: Riesling, Rkatsiteli, Isabella and others.

Natural fruit and berry wines... They can be prepared from a variety of berries and fruits and are also classified by sugar content and color.

Special varieties

These include madeira, vermouth, port, sherry, cahors, tokay other. These wines are made using special methods and in a specific wine region. In Hungary, in the manufacture of Tokaj, a "noble" mold is used, which allows the berries to dry right on the vine. In Portugal, Madeira is aged in special tanning salons under open sun, in Spain sherry ripens under a yeast film.

Still, dessert and fortified wines. The first are prepared using natural fermentation technology, the second are very sweet and flavored, and the third are fortified with alcohol to the desired degree. They can all be red, pink and white in color.

Champagne and other sparkling wines... Of these, French is the most popular, but in other countries there is no less decent drinks e.g. Portuguese spumante, spanish cava or Italian asti. Sparkling wines are distinguished by their special appearance, delicate aroma, interesting taste... Their main difference from quiet wines are playful bubbles. The drinks can be pink or white in color, but sometimes sparkling red wines are found. According to the sugar content, they are divided into dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet. The quality of wine is determined by the number and size of the bubbles, by how long they last and, of course, by the taste.

These types of alcoholic beverages have a strength of no more than 20% vol.

The third, most extensive category

Vodka... A cereal-based alcoholic beverage containing 40% alcohol. Through continuous distillation, a new product was obtained in due time, called the Absolut vodka, and its manufacturer - Lare Olsen Smith - was awarded the title of "King of Vodka". Sometimes this drink is infused with herbs, citrus fruits or nuts. Made according to Swedish technology from high-purity alcohol, vodka rightfully occupies one of the first places in the ranking of alcoholic beverages in this category. It is used to prepare various cocktails.

Tinctures bitter. They are obtained by infusing vodka or alcohol on aromatic spices, herbs or roots. The fortress is 25-30 degrees, but it can rise up to 45 degrees, for example, "Pertsovka", "Starka" or "Hunting".

Sweet drinks

Tinctures are sweet. They are prepared on the basis of alcohol or vodka, mixing them with fruit drinks and sugar, the content of which can reach 25%, while the alcohol content usually does not exceed 20%. Although some drinks are stronger, for example, the “Excellent” tincture contains 40% alcohol.

Filling. They differ in that they are made on the basis of fresh berries or fruit without yeast, but with the addition strong vodka and a lot of sugar. These types of alcoholic beverages are very thick and sweet. The name of the liqueurs tells what they are made of: plum, cornelian cherry, strawberry. Although there are strange names: "spottykach", "casserole". They contain 20% alcohol, and 30-40% sugar.

Liqueurs... Thick, very sweet and strong drinks. They are made by mixing molasses or sugar syrup with alcohol infused with various herbs, spices, with the addition essential oils and other aromatic substances. There are dessert liqueurs - with an alcohol content of up to 25%, strong - 45% and fruit and berry, with a strength of 50%. Any of these varieties require 3 months to 2 years of aging. The name of alcoholic beverages indicates which aromatic additives were used in the preparation of the product: "Vanilla", "Coffee", "Raspberry", "Apricot" and so on.

Strong grape drinks

Cognacs. They are made on the basis of cognac spirits, and alcohols are obtained by fermentation of various grape varieties. One of the first places in the line is occupied by Armenian brandy. The most popular is "Ararat", "Nairi", "Armenia", "Jubilee" are no less famous. Of the French, the most popular are "Hennessy", "Courvoisier", "Martel", "Hein". All cognacs are divided into 3 categories. The first includes ordinary drinks aged for 3 years. The second is made up of vintage cognacs, which have a minimum aging period of 6 years. The third includes long-lived drinks, called collection drinks. The smallest exposure here is 9 years.

French, Azerbaijani, Russian, Armenian cognac are produced and sold by cognac houses, founded more than a century ago and still dominating the market.

Grappa. Italian vodka based on grape pomace, aged in oak or cherry barrels from 6 months to 10 years. The value of the drink depends on the aging period, grape variety and where the vine grows. Relatives of grappa are Georgian chacha and South Slavic brandy.

Very strong alcoholic drinks

Absinthe- one of them. Its main component is bitter wormwood extract. The essential oils of this plant contain the substance thujone, which is the main constituent of the drink. The more thujone, the better the absinthe. The price directly depends on the percentage of this substance and on the originality of the drink. Along with wormwood, absinthe includes anise, mint, angelica, licorice and other herbs. Whole wormwood leaves are sometimes placed at the bottom of the bottles to confirm the naturalness of the product. Thujon in absinthe can contain from 10 to 100%. By the way, the drink is presented in two varieties - silver and gold. So, "golden" absinthe, the price of which is always quite high (from 2 to 15 thousand rubles per liter), is prohibited in Europe precisely because of the large amount of the above-mentioned substance, reaching 100%. The usual color of the drink is emerald green, but it can be yellow, red, brown and even transparent.

Rum... It is prepared by fermentation from the residual products of sugar cane - syrup and molasses. The quantity and quality of the product depends on the variety and type of raw material. The following types of rum are distinguished by color: Cuban "Havana", "Varadero" (light or silver); gold or amber; Jamaican "Captain Morgan" (dark or black); Martinican (made only from cane juice). The strength of the rum is 40-75 gr.

Strong drinks with fruit juice

Calvados. One of the varieties of brandy. To prepare the product, 50 varieties of apples are used, and a pear blend is added for uniqueness. Then the fruit juice is fermented and clarified by double distillation and brought to 70 degrees. Aged in oak or chestnut barrels for 2 to 10 years. Then, with softened water, the fortress is reduced to 40 o.

Gin, balm, aquavit, armagnac... They also fall into the third category, since they all contain alcohol. All these are strong alcoholic drinks. Prices for them depend on the quality of alcohol ("Lux", "Extra"), strength and aging of the drink, brand and constituent components. Many contain extracts of aromatic herbs and roots.

Homemade drinks

Homemade moonshine is also a prominent representative of spirits. Craftsmen make it from different products: it can be berries, apples, apricots or other fruits, wheat, potatoes, rice, any jam. Sugar and yeast must be added to them. All of this is fermented. Then, by distillation, a strong drink is obtained with an alcohol content of up to 75%. For greater purity of the product, a double distillation can be done. Homemade moonshine is purified of fusel oils and other impurities by filtration, then it (if desired) is either infused with various herbs, nuts, spices, or diluted with fruit drinks, essences, juices. At correct preparation This drink is not inferior to various vodkas and tinctures in taste.

Finally, I would like to remind you of two simple rules, observing which, it will be possible to maintain health and not get bored in fun company: do not abuse alcohol and do not waste money on low-quality drinks. And then everything will be fine.

Presented on the modern market low alcohol drinks contain in their composition alcohol, which was produced by fermentation, and not through processing in a distillation still.

Low alcohol drinks include

• grape wine;
• vermouth;
• liqueurs;
• Martini;
• beer;
• punch;
• cocktails;
• physical;
• champagne;
• sake and other drinks.

The percentage of alcohol in them, as a rule, does not exceed 20 - 22%. But in some countries, beverages are also classified as low-alcohol drinks, the percentage of alcohol in which reaches 28%. This moment must be taken into account when purchasing this or that product for subsequent sale.

Low alcohol wines

These drinks are created using the natural fermentation technology of grapes or other natural fruit juice. The strength of the wines can vary from 9 to 16 turns. They are dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, and sweet. In addition, there are fortified wines on the market, the required alcohol content in which is achieved by adding to original product a certain amount of alcohol.

Vermouth

These are drinks with an alcohol content of 15 to 20 revolutions and for which spices, medicinal herbs or spices are used for flavoring. Most experts classify vermouth as fortified wines.

Martini

It is a low-alcohol drink infused with more than 35 types of herbs. Its strength ranges from 18 to 20 rpm.

For making martini unique taste are used:

• yarrow;


• immortelle;


• chamomile;


• mint;


• sagebrush;


• Carnation;


• ginger;


• cinnamon;


• St. John's wort;


• coriander, etc.

The drink belongs to the class of vermouth.

Low alcohol liqueurs

Liqueurs are prepared based on grape brandy, and then insist on a variety of fruits, leaves fruit trees and bushes, bones, etc. They contain a large amount of sugar, and the strength of liqueurs can reach 25 turns or even exceed this value.

Low alcohol and non-alcoholic beer

This drink is prepared using the technology of fermentation of malt wort with hops and yeast. The most commonly used wort is barley. The strength of the beer can vary from 3 to 14 turns. There are more than 1,000 different varieties of this drink on the modern market, and they differ not only in strength, but also in taste, preparation technology, and type of initial ingredients.

Punch

This category includes wide range of hot, cold or chilled cocktails prepared with fresh or concentrated fruit and fruit juice. As an alcoholic component, vodka, brandy, arak, rum, grappa, wine, etc. can be added to the punch. The sugar content of the punch varies from 30 to 40%, and its strength ranges from 15 to 20 turns. The drink is mainly prepared at receptions and parties.

Low alcohol cocktails

This is a broad category that includes drinks made by mixing a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic ingredients. Cocktails are prepared in certain proportions, on which their strength directly depends. According to the rules, the volume of one portion of the cocktail should not exceed 150 ml.

Phys

These are all refreshing soft drinks with a foamy sparkling structure. Their main components are ice and carbonated water (optionally, sugary carbonated drinks). Fiza can be prepared with or without alcohol. The drink is usually prepared by hand right before serving. However, in some cases, refreshing fiza with a foamy-sparkling structure are bought ready-made and simply cooled before use.

Champagne

Champagne is a sparkling wine that can be prepared from one or several grape varieties at once using the double fermentation technology. It is sold in bottles and has approximately the same strength as grape wine.

Sake

This is a Japanese drink made using rice fermentation technology. Depending on the additives used by the manufacturer, sake can taste like bananas, grapes, sherry, apples, spices or herbs. The strength of the drink varies from 14 to 20 turns, and its shade can vary from transparent to greenish or yellowish.

Low alcohol drinks at the exhibition

The assortment is very wide, and if by the nature of your activity you are constantly dealing with such products, you can learn much more about it and about the raw materials used for its production. Just register as a participant or visitor in the international exhibition "Prodexpo", which is held at the Central Exhibition Complex "Expocentre".

Alcoholic drinks with the right approach provide excellent opportunities for relaxation after a hard day. This page contains a list of traditional alcoholic beverages. different countries the world. This list of the names of alcoholic beverages is far from complete and it lacks more than a hundred different types alcohol. But the most popular alcoholic drinks in it are presented even with short descriptions, thanks to which you can make your own first impression. This will help you create your own wine list for planning the subsequent tasting. All names of alcoholic beverages are given exactly in the form in which they are familiar to the overwhelming majority of people. Read about common types of alcoholic beverages, find out about their useful and harmful properties... Choose for yourself the type of alcoholic drink that will allow you to get the most out of it with minimal negative health effects. Well, look at the alcoholic drinks in the photo, which are richly illustrated in the article.

Classification of various traditional alcoholic beverages

Alcohols- these are organic substances, which are a chain of carbohydrates, where one hydrogen molecule is replaced by the rest of the water OH. The classification of alcoholic beverages begins with the existence of alcohols: ethyl, methyl, propyl, butyl alcohols.

Food grade ethyl alcohol for traditional alcoholic beverages are obtained from food raw materials - grain, potatoes, as well as from secondary raw materials of winemaking (grape pomace, yeast sediments).

Technical methyl alcohol extremely toxic, smell and taste does not differ from ethyl. On his account, hundreds of thousands of human lives (accidentally drunk 100 ml methyl alcohol lead to complete blindness due to toxic damage to the optic nerve, more causes death).

Propyl and butyl alcohols are not so toxic, but they have a specific odor, which gave rise to their name - fusel oils... Their content is high in moonshine, poorly refined vodka. Therefore, when we say alcohol or alcohol, we mean only ethyl (or wine) alcohol.

Rectified ethyl alcohol (ethanol), intended for different alcoholic beverages can be ordinary or high purity. The strength of ordinary alcohol is not less than 95.5%, and the strength of the highest purification is not less than 96.2%. It is the starting material for the preparation of popular alcoholic beverages such as vodka and fortified wine.

In medicine, ethyl alcohol (95.5% or 70%) is used, which has undergone thorough cleaning.

List and classification of strong alcoholic beverages

Below is a list of spirits that are frequent guests on the tables of our compatriots. This classification of spirits is generally accepted and gives a general idea about them. See what kind of strong alcoholic drinks are and make your choice.

Strong white alcoholic beverage: vodka and tequila

Vodka Is a strong alcoholic drink (40-56%), which is prepared by processing activated carbon a water-alcohol solution, with or without the addition of ingredients, followed by filtration. Simply put, vodka is a mixture of rectified alcohol and prepared water. Ethyl alcohol is miscible with water in any ratio.

Mexican "vodka" is tequila, an alcoholic drink obtained by distilling an extract of the cactus of the same name.

Even D.I.Mendeleev calculated perfect proportion preparation of vodka as an alcoholic drink with a percentage ratio of 40: 60, that is, 40% alcohol solution, which is the most homogeneous mixture, is the easiest to digest and gives the person more warmth. It is not for nothing that vodka made in this way has long served not only gastronomic purposes, but also medicinal ones.

Studies by American and German scientists have led to the conclusion that the normal dose of a white alcoholic drink for an adult man is up to 100 ml of alcohol per day in terms of vodka, and for a woman it is, respectively, almost 2 times less. Moreover, this dose is not summed up during the week (for example, if a person has not drunk for a whole week, then half a liter for one on Saturday will only bring him harm, in best case- severe headache).

If a person can limit himself to this dose, he will be able to consume alcohol for many years without harm to his health. At the same time, one must give oneself the instruction that these self-restrictions are not a forced prohibition, but a wise distribution of pleasure: having drunk a little today and having fun, you can do it tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, and many, many years in the future. If you don’t do this, you will have to face very big problems in a fairly short time.

English alcoholic drinks: scotch and gin

Gin- a strong alcoholic drink obtained by mixing raw alcohol with essential oils of juniper berries, coriander, cardamom, caraway seeds, ginger, cinnamon. The alcohol content of this English alcoholic beverage is 40-50%. Gin is colorless. Although gin is produced in many countries, there are two types - Dutch and London dry.

Scotch Is an alcoholic drink of increased strength and is also traditionally produced and consumed in England and the surrounding territories.

Whiskey alcoholic drink

Whiskey- a strong alcoholic drink with an alcohol content of 40% or more, which is obtained by distilling fermented grain wort, followed by a long aging (from 3 to 10 years) in oak barrels with charred walls.

The word "whiskey" comes from the Celtic name of this drink - "water of life".

Whiskey - national drink Anglo-Saxon countries. Whiskey production is especially developed in Great Britain, Ireland, USA and Canada.

Alcoholic drink rum

Rum- a strong alcoholic drink obtained by aging rum alcohol in oak barrels. Rum alcohol is produced from fermented sugarcane juice, cane syrup, molasses cane sugar and other cane by-products.

The resulting alcohol is poured into oak barrels and aged for 5 years. In the process of aging, aromatic, coloring and tannins are transferred to alcohol. The rum becomes brown with a golden hue and a slightly pungent taste. The alcohol content of the final product is below 95%.

Alcoholic drink cognac and brandy

Cognac- a strong alcoholic drink made from cognac alcohol, which is obtained by distilling grape wines, followed by aging in oak barrels. Fresh cognac spirit is colorless, has little aromatic and harsh taste. Cognac ripens extremely slowly.

Brandy- a strong alcoholic drink obtained by distilling any fortified juice of fruits or berries with subsequent aging. In many countries, brandies made from apples are known - calvados, from plums - plum brandy, from cherries - kirsch, from pears - William.

A grape wine brandy does not require any labeling specification. Fruit brandy must be accompanied by appropriate explanations (apple brandy, apricot brandy, etc.).

Raw materials for brandy do not undergo a thorough cleaning, as for cognac or vodka, and retain their fruity aroma. The brandy is aged both in oak barrels, charred from the inside (to improve the taste), and in other containers.

Brandy is diluted before consumption and taken, as a rule, after a meal. Also used as an ingredient in many cocktails. Strong brandy (80-90%) undiluted is not consumed at all.

In the gastronomic tradition, cognac and brandy are used as a digestif because they aid digestion (from the Latin word digestivus, which translates as a means of promoting digestion).

For a large, healthy man (90 kg), 100 ml of cognac is enough to get pleasure. Large dose will not give more fun and will only cause crap.

Weak green alcoholic drink

Weak alcoholic drinks in the form of liqueurs are prepared on rectified alcohol, fruit juices, infusions of herbs, seeds, flowers, sugar syrup, solutions of dyes and other substances. These products, in addition to the actual liquor, include such drinks as balm, gin, whiskey, rum.

Liquor is a strong, sweet and spicy green alcoholic drink made from "alcoholic" juices, infusions of fruits or herbs, sugar syrup, aromatic infusions, etc.

Alcoholic drink tincture

Alcoholic drink tincture is prepared on alcoholic infusions of spicy and medicinal herbs, roots, fruits, essential oils, which give it a strong pleasant aroma.

Tinctures have a tonic effect on the body. Stimulates appetite. Alcohol content - 30-60%

They are used mainly as flavorings for all kinds.

Grape alcoholic drink wine

Wine- this is probably the most ancient alcoholic beverage, which for many centuries of its existence has found its own unique world, painted with many colors, shades of taste and aroma.

According to the method of production and composition, wines as alcoholic beverages are subdivided into table, fortified (strong and dessert), flavored and sparkling.

Most natural wines are dry. They are called so because all the sugar they contain is fermented "dry" into alcohol. There are natural semi-dry or semi-sweet wines in which sugar still remains - due to the natural characteristics of a particular grape variety.

As you can see from the table, ethyl alcohol in dry grape wines contains from 9 to 16%. But wine is not diluted alcohol. Grape wine, especially red, is a source of biologically important substances, the intake of which into the body with other food limited or impossible.

According to the famous French physician Louis Pasteur, wine can be considered the healthiest hygienic drink (of course, if it is not overused). But still, this is an alcoholic drink, which, one way or another, is a stumbling block: to recover or to sleep? There is a legitimate question about how much wine should be drunk for health benefits. Of course, it's all about the dose.

It is believed that the consumption of wine in an amount of 5-7% for men and 2-4% of calories for women daily ration, subject to a balanced diet, does not have a negative effect on the body.

Doctors found that when moderate consumption natural wine, the risk is reduced up to 35% cardiovascular disease and up to 15-60% - mortality due to coronary insufficiency. Two glasses of natural red wine compensate for the damage caused to blood vessels by smoking one cigarette. In addition, drinking wine lowers the risk of cancer. It has been proven that red wine inhibits the development of leukemia, skin cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

However, it must be remembered that the regular intake of wine in large quantities fraught with alcoholism. Despite the fact that treatment with alcoholic beverages can significantly improve health and at the same time give pleasure, you still need to approach this problem with an absolutely sober head.

The healing effect of light alcoholic beverages

The practice of treatment with the help of light alcoholic beverages has very ancient roots, this problem remains very relevant today. Scientists from many countries have studied and are studying the effect on human body alcoholic beverages. There have been many serious studies, the results of which often surprised the scientists themselves. So, it turned out that people who regularly consume alcoholic beverages in small doses (for example, a small glass of cognac or a glass of dry wine a day) get sick less and live longer than strict teetotalers. Thus, this reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease by up to 40%. Moreover, only natural alcohol has such a protective effect - wine, cognac, whiskey, grappa, chacha - in general, drinks obtained by conventional distillation. It's all about natural trace impurities that remain after distillation, but in pure alcohol are no longer contained. They provide the powerful protective effect of natural alcoholic beverages.

Wine, as well as spirits, are recommended for general strengthening of the body, as an analgesic, relaxing and sedative agent. Of course, everyone knows the antiviral and bactericidal effect of alcoholic beverages. For example, in wine, even diluted, the causative agents of cholera, typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, polio viruses die within 10-30 minutes. So a glass of good natural wine or brandy is an effective prevention of all kinds of infectious diseases and intestinal disorders.

Natural alcohol has the most positive effect on brain activity. For example, a study by American scientists showed that older women who drink a little alcohol every day (a glass of wine, a mug of beer or a glass of brandy) suffer less from age-related deterioration in brain function than teetotalers. Memory problems and other mental disorders are about 20% less common in women than in non-drinking women.

A glass of cognac or a glass of wine can also reduce insulin levels and increase the sensitivity of cells to it. Before the invention of insulin for treatment diabetes mellitus, for example, predominantly alcoholic beverages were used, most often strong wine.

Cognac and wine also help get rid of excess weight by stimulating the secretion of the gallbladder and accelerating the digestion of fats. Generally, alcoholic drinks in small doses remarkably activate digestion, food is better absorbed, and toxins and toxins are removed from the body in time.

Natural alcoholic beverages are especially beneficial for women during and after menopause. It was during this period, due to a sharp decrease in the level of female hormones estrogen, that the risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular failure increases. And small doses of alcohol stimulate the production of estrogen by the adrenal glands, thereby supporting the protective functions of the female body.

A rare holiday or sad event in Russia is complete without alcohol. Low-alcohol drinks are becoming more and more popular today. They enable the consumer to be "under a slight degree", while not getting drunk too much. Because of this, many young people do not miss the opportunity to have a cocktail or beer every night. There is an opinion that the harm of low-alcohol drinks is not so great. Doctors say that the damage done to health by low-alcohol drinks is enough to stop drinking them. But let's start in order ...

Types and composition

The main classification is based on the amount of alcohol contained. Any alcoholic beverage is based on ethyl alcohol. Depending on the amount of this clear liquid with a characteristic odor and burning taste, alcoholic beverages are divided into types.

In high-alcohol drinks, the percentage of ethyl alcohol reaches 96. Strong alcohol, such as vodka, cognac, whiskey and rum, contain 31 to 65% ethyl alcohol. Liqueurs and wines are classified as medium alcoholic beverages, which are characterized by an alcohol content of 10 to 30%. Low alcohol drinks contain only 1.5 to 9% alcohol. The most popular representative of this category is beer.

Ethyl alcohol in Russia is widely used in different areas... In industry, medicine, food industry and the national economy cannot do without it. But it has a very detrimental effect on the human body.

Where did strange drinks come from in Russia?

Long drink, or drinks that should be drunk for a long time, stretching pleasure, appeared in Russia in the early nineties. The first swallows arrived, as expected, from Europe. Not yet spoiled Russian buyers were attracted unusual taste and an affordable price for foreign treats. Domestic manufacturers noticed a high demand, simplicity and low cost of technology, so they quickly made up serious competition European brands.

In the history of the production of Russian low-alcohol drinks, there have been recessions, crises, prosperity, as well as import bans. Today, production and foreign supplies are well established, and there is a huge assortment of low-alcohol drinks on store shelves.

Manufacturers are preparing thoroughly for the onset of summer: they are adding to the list of low-alcohol drinks, creating new tastes, experimenting with packaging, updating the design, looking for new points of sale.

How low-alcohol drinks won the love and wallets of buyers

The vast majority of adult buyers have tried a low-alcohol cocktail at least once in their lives, and many have become true connoisseurs and regular consumers. What is the secret of the popularity of these drinks?

First: a huge selection. A customer with even the most unusual gastronomic preferences can find a drink to his taste. The most common drinks are lemon, orange, grapefruit, raspberry, banana, exotic fruit cocktails and of course beer.

Second: pricing policy. As noted above, low-alcohol tonic drinks are much more attractive than alcohol of a higher strength in terms of cost.

Third: walking distance. Today, on the shelves of any store, supermarket, in the menu of a cafe or club, there is a huge selection of cocktails.

Fourthly, the effect created by the drink is the opportunity to relax and unwind. With this drink, a person can not only quench his thirst, but also, thanks to a small dose of alcohol, relax and be liberated, not afraid to get drunk to the point of recklessness.

Of course, low-alcohol people are mainly preferred by active youth. Most manufacturers are guided by them when choosing technologies, packaging and advertising strategies. Older people prefer stronger drinks and beer.

Toning drinks

A modern person, especially in a metropolis, lives in constant bustle, noise, stress and habits. Including he gets used to being in trend and living at a frantic pace. Of course, this requires strength and rest. But where to find time for rest, how to spend it with benefit and make the body work longer, and the brain more productive? Many young people use low-alcohol tonic drinks as a "recharge". The list of popular brands on the market is very extensive.

Tonic include non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks, in which there is a tonic substance. Very little of such a component is required to have an exciting (tonic) effect on the human body.

Energy drinks are formulated with carbohydrates, caffeine and herbal extracts. These components have a stimulating effect on humans. It is believed that not only harm, but also benefit to the body is brought by low-alcohol tonic drinks. The list of organs that they have a positive effect on is impressive: digestive system, stomach, intestines, cardiovascular and nervous systems.

But there are categories of consumers who are not advised to consume tonic drinks - these are pregnant women, adolescents, the elderly, as well as those suffering from insomnia or with an unstable psyche. Even a healthy adult should not drink more than one bottle (can) per day.

Popular types of low-alcohol drinks in Russia

Low-alcohol drinks began to get into the shopping basket more and more often. Affordable price, the large selection and the relaxing effect of drinking makes them attractive to consumers.

The following drinks are considered the most famous:

Kvass is a traditional Russian drink with a strength of up to 2.5%. To obtain kvass, you need bread or dairy sourdough. Dairy and acetic acid endow kvass with useful properties. It helps to improve digestion, metabolism, and normal muscle tone. In addition, it includes a bouquet of vitamins, amino acids and trace elements that provide positive influence on the body. But kvass is contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation, children under three years of age, as well as people with stomach ulcers and liver cirrhosis.

Cider and Perry - Apple wort and yeast are used to make these drinks. A special apple variety is grown for the production of cider, so it is not the cheapest in its category. Perry is considered a type of cider, only it is based on the fermentation of pear juice.

Champagne - not all of these wines are low-alcohol drinks, some of which exceed the threshold of 9%. Champagne is a drink of celebration and celebration. It is produced by one of the methods: autotrophic or bottle champagnization. V quality drink the bubbles will be small, not large or medium, as in soda. Champagne is credited with a number of health benefits due to the polyphenol it contains. This drink has bactericidal properties, lowers blood pressure and improves blood circulation in the brain. But they get drunk very quickly from it, the bubbles can cause rotting in the stomach, and when pregnant women drink champagne, the fetus can develop cerebral palsy.

Wine is one of the most noble drinks... Most wines, however, are not classified as low-alcohol drinks, as their ABV starts at 9%. The main raw material is grapes of different varieties. Distinguish between red and white wine, dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, table, rose. Very often on the shelves you can find a bottle at a very low price, meaning that the drink is based on a powder. Natural wine really has beneficial properties, since it contains vitamins, acids, trace elements, antioxidants, iron and other biologically active substances... If you drink wine within reasonable limits, it helps to lower cholesterol levels, remove toxins and toxins from the body. With the abuse of such a drink, a person is at risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes and the development of cancers.

Beer is a low-alcohol drink that is prepared using barley malt, hops, yeast and water. This product took all the best from cereals: vitamins B 1, B 2, B 6, H, C, K, acids and trace elements. Drinking beer in moderation improves metabolic processes and reduces the risk of malignant tumors.

Kumis is not a very common drink in Russia, but it definitely deserves attention. This product is made on the basis of mare's milk and, of course, yeast. The strength of such a drink can differ significantly from different manufacturers - from 0.2 to 40%. Kumis is endowed with useful properties thanks to vitamins, minerals, fats and live lactic acid bacteria that are part of it. It has a positive effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

• Liquor-based cocktails - Gin and Tonic, Jaguar, Strike, Hooch, Screwdriver, Shake, Revo, Rum Cola, Brandy Cola and much more. There are a lot of similar drinks on the shelves, we have given just a few examples. There are many preservatives in cans and bottles with such products.

These are the most popular drinks in our country. If in the cultures of other countries low-alcohol drinks are considered more carefully, the list will be much longer.

Large-scale and single editions of low-alcohol drinks

Every customer knows about the existence of low-alcohol drinks. Today, such a multitude of a citizen who rarely drinks can easily get confused in it. Let's figure out what belongs to low-alcohol drinks.

Low-alcohol drinks are considered to be alcoholic drinks, the alcohol content of which does not exceed 9%. In their preparation, juices, plant extracts, bee products, grapes and sugar are used. Also, the recipe includes flavors and aromas, dyes and water. Naturally, this is an incomplete list of ingredients for preparing an alcoholic beverage. The production and marketing of alcoholic beverages is strictly regulated by the state.

Gardeners have their own secrets for the production of drinks of varying degrees of strength. It is not difficult to prepare beer, cocktails, liqueurs, wine, kvass and other low-alcohol drinks at home. Home "producers" like to talk about the benefits of their drinks, in any case, you should not abuse such products!

Intoxication stages

The word "alcohol" comes from the Arabic "al kegol", which means "intoxicating". Undoubtedly, alcoholic beverages have an intoxicating effect. There are several stages of the influence of alcohol on the body of an adult:




The effect of alcohol on the male body

There is a myth that, unlike strong alcoholic beverages, low-alcohol products are harmless. Negative influence on the male body Low-alcohol drinks are also provided, the list of the consequences of which depends on their composition.

Most often, beer is consumed in large quantities. Consider the result based on it:

• "Beer belly" is a well-known trait of beer lovers. Fat deposition in males is female and leads to further obesity. The fat formed from the love of beer breaks down very quickly and enters the liver, forming cholesterol there.
• In the future, such men will face atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Men who consume beer in a large number, the development of gynecomastia is observed. It is expressed in an enlargement of the mammary glands, an increase in the timbre of the voice, the cessation of the growth of bristles, an emotional disorder, and often as a result of such changes impotence develops.

Help a man cope with hormonal disruptions and other problems caused by frequent use low alcohol drinks, maybe healthy image life, diet and refusal (at least a significant reduction) from these dangerous foods.

The effect of alcohol on the female body

Low alcohol drinks often do devastating damage female body especially when consumed in large quantities. Ladies who are accustomed to drinking alcohol are threatened by:

• the occurrence of a stroke;
• phlebeurysm;
• decreased mental capacity and memory impairment, since alcohol in any dose kills human brain cells;
• gastritis, stomach ulcer;
• hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver;
• change in figure, deterioration in the color and structure of the skin;
• hormonal disruptions, the development of infertility.



It is better for girls and women to abstain or reduce the dose of alcohol intake. And there are times when alcohol, even with the smallest alcohol content, should be completely excluded from the diet. The use of low-alcohol drinks during pregnancy or lactation is strictly contraindicated!

The effect of alcohol on children and adolescents

Of course, if we talk about kvass and kefir, in which fermentation is also present, then parents give these products to children without hesitation. When it comes to alcoholic beverages, it is worth remembering about their effect on children's organism and keep the child out of even the tasting.

Tracking a teenager is not easy. Young boys and girls are eager to try adulthood and fun. But the harm of low-alcohol drinks is colossal, it needs to be explained and "hammered" into your child. A strong blow to an unformed body can lead to tragedy. Here we are talking not only about deaths, but also diseases, mental and mental disorders, infertility and impotence.

Law and low alcohol drinks

Many countries have introduced various bans on low alcohol and tonic drinks.

In Russia, the legislation provides for penalties for such violations:

• drinking alcohol, including low alcohol, drinks in the wrong places;
• sale of alcoholic beverages in the wrong places;
• after 22:00;
• non-compliance with advertising restrictions;
• neglect of age restrictions when selling and drinking alcoholic beverages.

The state's fight against alcoholic beverages is inextricably linked with the promotion of such goods, since their producers are serious taxpayers.

To drink or not to drink, everyone decides for himself. But we must remember that momentary weakness can have an irreparable effect on a person. If you abuse even low-alcohol drinks, the body will not forgive you for this!

It's no secret that alcohol in large quantities has a negative effect on health. However, despite this, alcohol remains very popular. Alcohol brands are among the most expensive brands, and the volume of alcohol production all over the world reaches incredible proportions. And every year more and more types of alcoholic beverages appear.

This is our mentality that no meal goes by without alcohol. However, even choosing one or another type of alcohol, few people know by what method it is produced. Well, let's get better. So, in today's publication we will look at what types of alcohol exist today and how the process of making this or that alcoholic drink goes.

To begin with, all types of alcoholic beverages are divided into groups depending on the strength. Therefore, there are such groups:

• low alcohol;
• medium alcohol;
• strong.

Low alcohol drinks

Low alcohol drinks include those types of alcohol, the alcohol content of which does not exceed 8%. These include:

• beer, which is obtained by fermentation of malt wort under the influence of brewer's yeast. The beer also contains hops. Despite the fact that beer has many useful qualities, its use in large quantities is pretty harmful to the body;
• Braga- a mixture obtained by fermentation of different plant products- vegetables and fruits. Most often it serves as a raw material for making moonshine;
• cider– apple drink prepared without the use of yeast;
• toddy- a fermentation product of the juices of some palm trees;
• kvass- not considered alcoholic, but contains ethanol in small quantities;
• koumiss- a very useful fermented milk product based on mare's milk, which also contains a small amount of alcohol.

In small doses, low-alcohol drinks are practically harmless to the body. However, if they are used often and in unlimited quantities, then this will lead not only to alcoholic intoxication(with the exception of koumiss), but also to the disruption of the work of many organs of our body.

Medium alcohol drinks

Medium alcohol drinks contain up to 30% ethyl alcohol. These include:

• wine- fermented grape juice, which in small quantities is very beneficial for the body and is even approved by doctors. However, due to its ethyl content, wine can be very harmful to our health if overused;
• mead- an alcoholic drink made from honey;
• mulled wine- wine with fruits and spices, prepared by boiling;
• grog- diluted rum;
• sake- rice wine, a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage;
• punch- wine diluted with juice.

You should also be careful with these products and do not exceed the allowable rate.

Strong alcoholic drinks

Spirits are characterized by an alcohol content that can reach up to 80%. Therefore, the abuse strong species drinking is the most dangerous for the body. These products include:

• vodka- made from rectified alcohol mixed in various proportions with water. Alcohol is mainly obtained from potato and grain raw materials;
• cognac- alcoholic beverage made from special varieties grapes;
• rum, or cane vodka, made from cane syrup - a waste product from sugar cane production;
• sambuca- vodka with the addition of anise or herbal;
• gin- product of distillation of wheat alcohol, also contains juniper berries;
• whiskey- a type of alcohol obtained by a complex process of malt fermentation and distillation of cereals;
• brandy- product of the distillation of grape or apple wine;
• liquor- alcoholic drink based on various juices;
• absinthe- the strongest alcoholic beverage, which contains up to 70% alcohol and is made using wormwood;
• tincture- an alcoholic drink, which is obtained by infusion of alcohol on various berries and spices.

That, in principle, is all the main types of alcohol that are most often found at feasts. We did not include exclusive spirits in the list, as there are so many of them.