Alcohol

Alcohol, some love it, some hate it, and some hate to love it. Alcohol is a long-standing part of cultures all around the world, dating back to about 7000 B.C. Derived from the natural fermentation of sugar, alcohol is the most commonly used psychoactive agent in the world. It beats nicotine and caffeine. While alcohol has intoxicating, mind-altering properties, that’s not the only reason people drink it. Alcohol can taste delicious, too. Sipped over ice, crafted into a mouthwatering cocktail, brewed into beer, or produced into wine, there are many ways to enjoy alcohol safely. Keep reading to learn all about alcohol. What is alcohol? Alcohol is an intoxicating ingredient that’s found in beer, wine and liquor. It’s called ethanol in drinks. It is made from yeast that ferments the sugars in grains, vegetables, and fruits. Alcohol is considered to be a drug as it can affect the way your body functions. It can also slow down messages traveling between the brain and the body. While alcohol is a depressant, it can boost one’s overall mood, making them feel more relaxed or happy. The alcohol content in drinks or beverages can vary. Additionally, different cultures may have varying normals of alcohol by volume (ABV) in alcoholic drinks such as beer. Alcohol consumption is important to monitor and be aware of how it affects you. Alcohol is a socially acceptable substance that is quite popular. Enjoy responsibly, and don’t drink and drive. Let Gopuff deliver to you instead. What are the different types of alcohol? From a huge selection of alcohol types to sub-selections within, shopping and tasting alcohol is half the fun. With options such as hard seltzers, beer, wine, champagne, hard alcohol, premade or ready to drink cocktails, and more, the alcohol aisle can feel a bit overwhelming. Here are some different types of alcohol along with popular options within each category. Beer: Made from brewing and fermenting of scratches from cereal grains, beer is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in the world. Here are a few different types: - Stout - Pale Ale - Pilsner - Porter - IPA - Double IPA - Sour - Amber Wine: Made from fermented grapes, but not the table kind, wine has many different flavors and tastes. There are sparkling wines and non-sparkling wines, red wines and white wines, and plenty of other variations of wine. Here are a few different types: - Chardonnay - Merlot - Riesling - Syrah - Rose - Pinot Grigio - Muscat Hard liquor: Alcoholic beverages produced through the distillation process are known as hard liquor. Hard liquor is often enjoyed in shot form, over ice, or in cocktail form. Here are a few different types: - Gin - Vodka - Whiskey - Tequila - Rum - Brandy Seltzers: Spiked sparkling water beverages with a flavorful twist that gained popularity quickly describes hard seltzers. As a result, we’ve seen the market and options expand rapidly. Here are a few different types: - Truly Seltzers - White Claw Seltzers - Bud Light Seltzers - High Noon Seltzers - Corona Hard Seltzers - Topo Chico Seltzers Ready to drink cocktails: Exactly how they sound, cocktails that are pre-packaged and ready to sip. In the midst of our busy lives, we may crave the perfect cocktail, but lack time to craft it. Ready to drink cocktails can be just as refreshing as a fresh cocktail. Cheers to that. Here are a few different types: - Cutwater Tiki Rum Mai Tai - Cutwater Espresso Martini - BuzzBallz Tequila Rita - Malibu Strawberry Daiquiri - Absolut Berry Vodkarita What are some popular fruity, sweet alcoholic drinks? When it comes to fruity, sweet alcoholic drinks, there are a few avenues you can go. There are hard seltzers, ready to drink or premade cocktails, or hand crafted cocktails, which can all satisfy that sweet craving with a side of relaxation. Let’s review some popular fruity, sweet alcoholic drinks from each category; hard seltzer, ready to drink cocktail, and hand crafted cocktail. Fruity, sweet hard seltzer: Truly Tropical Punch Our pick is the Truly Tropical Punch hard seltzer. From its eye-catching blue can to its crisp and refreshing fruity taste, this seltzer is extremely satisfying. The adventure begins with the first sip. You’ll feel like you've been transported to a tropical island. Better yet, maybe you’re enjoying this fruity adult beverage on vacation. With only 100 calories per can, 1g sugar, 2g carbs, and 5% ABV you can enjoy a Truly Tropical Punch Seltzer guilt free. Ready to drink cocktail: BuzzBallz Strawberry Rita Served in a palm sized circular can, you can load your cooler up with BuzzBallz Strawberry Rita ready to drink cocktails. Similar to Truly hard seltzers, this BuzzBallz flavor is gluten free. Plus, it’s kosher, too. Made with premium, natural ingredients, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and crisp. Compared to a hard seltzer, though, this ready to drink cocktail has a 15% ABV. Drink with caution, and most importantly, enjoy. Hand crafted cocktail: Paloma Palomas are the perfect mix of sweet and refreshing with a hint of sour. With a grapefruit flavor, this fruity cocktail is perfect for sunset, lounging under the sun, or unwinding after a long day. Plus, it’s simple to make. Try it with Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka. Ingredients: - 1 oz Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka - 1 oz Silver Tequila - 1.5 oz Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice - .5 oz Lime Juice - .25 oz Simple Syrup - 2 oz Club Soda - Grapefruit Twist (optional garnish) To craft: - Combine all ingredients, minus the club soda, into a cocktail shaker. - Shake the ingredients. - Pour into an ice-filled cocktail glass. - Finish with the club soda and garnish with an optional grapefruit twist. Popular flavor profiles of liquor Hard alcohol might take a while to acquire the taste, but when you do, you’ll notice it’s bursting with unique flavors. Here are some popular types of hard alcohol and the flavor profile highlighted. - Gin: Flavored with botanicals, gin highlights a flavor palette of citrus, ginger, juniper berries, cinnamon, coriander, and more. - Bourbon: An American whiskey required to have a mash bill of at least 51% corn with a flavor profile consisting of carmel, vanilla, corn, fruits, honey, and woof. - Tequila: Flavored with citrus, vanilla, wood, coffee, and vanilla, tequila has many different tastes and ways at which it can be enjoyed. - Blended scotch: A bold, smokey flavor is associated with blended scotch alcohol along with flavors such as honey, nuts, malt, fruit, and flowers. - Vodka: You might be waiting to find out what you’re missing - but you’re probably not missing anything. Vodka does not have much of a smell or flavor profile, unless of course it’s flavored. Popular low carb alcoholic drinks A low carb and or keto lifestyle is a popular diet to follow. Most of us, though, don’t want to give up our time to unwind with a refreshing alcoholic beverage in our hand. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for low carb alcoholic drinks you can enjoy. Hard alcohols such as vodka, tequila, and whiskey contain no carbs. While some of us may enjoy them on their own, you’ll probably want to mix them, which is where the carbs come into play. Keep it simple with mixers such as club soda or sparkling water and fresh fruit or lemon or lime juice. Alternatively, hard seltzers are a popular choice for drinkers who wish to keep their carb and calorie intake down. Most hard seltzers have about 2g carbs and 100 calories. What are some of the most popular alcohol brands? While some alcohol brands are new and dominating, others have been around for decades. While we encourage you to explore whatever wets your taste buds, here are some of the most popular alcohol brands. - Malibu - Guinness - Corona Extra - Sam Adams - Heineken - Jack Daniel’s - Absolut - Yellow Tail - Patron - Four Loko - Happy Mom Seltzer - Happy Dad Seltzer