Let’s talk about “unit-drinks”. What???
Imagine craving a nice drink, but you’re driving your car. You would like a cocktail, but you want to make sure you’re within the legal limits for driving. Of course, you should try to avoid drinking and driving, but in Belgium up to two units is still safe and allowed.
Or maybe you want to have a drink, but you are worried about your health and you want to stay within limits as published by the government. Reports state you will stay healthy if you don’t drink more than 10 units per week. If you know that some cocktail recipes hold 2, 3 or even 4 units of alcohol, you might need to think this over.
One unit of alcohol in Belgium is 12,7ml or 10g of pure alcohol. Other countries might use different limits. In the UK one unit is only 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol. Because alcoholic drinks come in different strengths and sizes, units are always an excellent way to display how strong your drink is.
It also shouldn’t be wrong to ask your bartender how many units are in a specific drink, or ask if they serve “unit-cocktails” that contain exactly (or maximum) one unit of alcohol.
This week I was experimenting with unit recipes and I will share some in the next few days. Often these are longdrink recipes, using a mixer that’s spiked with a relatively small amount of spirit. These drinks won’t give you a real kick of alcohol, they are lighter drinks perfect to serve for a conversation with friends. You’ll keep a clear mind and still enjoy a tasty drink.
Yellow Fever II
Ingredients
20ml Whisky
20ml Clément Creole Shrubb (or Triple Sec)
10ml Simple syrup
200ml FERM Kombucha Ginger & Lemongrass
Method
Add whisky, syrup and triple sec to your highball glass with a few ice cubes. Stir for 10 seconds. Add more ice, top it with the kombucha and give it a few more gentle stirs. Garnish with citrus or lemongrass.
Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations