Hosting Without the Hangover: The Rise of the HalfProof’ Cocktail
- Jun 10, 2025
Home does not have to be where the headache is. The poet Rumi once wrote, There is a field beyond cocktail and mocktail. I will meet you there. It’s becoming increasingly trendy to split the difference between the two and halve the amount of spirits in your drink. Whether you’re an experienced lowABV mixologist or just beginning to ponder the art of moderation, here are some Barsys recipes that won’t lose their shine with a little (or a lot!) less liquor.
Strawberry Fields
Why It Works: The vibrant flavors of fresh strawberries and mint are robust enough to provide backbone and interest even if you turn down the volume on the rum. The mint syrup and soda water ensure the cocktail remains craveable and refreshing.
The LowABV Edit: Once you halve the rum, there’s a few ways to go. You’re welcome to substitute it with a nonalcoholic white rum alternative or a combination of coconut water and a splash of white grape juice for body. But if you’d rather keep it simple and not attempt a swap, don’t worry about the other ratios being thrown off by the subtraction of half the rum. Whenever you tweak one aspect of a recipe, Barsys automatically readjusts the amounts of other ingredients to ensure that your drink remains balanced.
Bloody Maria
Why It Works: What you crave when you sip a Bloody, regardless of the spirit involved, is a spicy, peppery, deeply savory experience. Subtracting some of the alcohol won’t change the mouthwatering dominant flavors here, because they’re provided by the tomato juice, horseradish and lemon juice—not the booze.
The LowABV Edit: Once you’ve omitted 50 percent of the tequila, you could add a splash of pickle juice or olive brine for extra depth. Soy sauce or hot sauce could work in a pinch. If you’re flexible on the booze content, you could also add a dash of vermouth or dry sherry for added complexity that won’t bump the ABV up very much. Make up for the more spartan ingredient list and be a maximalist with your garnish—we’re into skewers of pickled and/or charred jalapenos.
Lavender French 75
Why It Works: The heart of this cocktail’s botanical elegance lies in the interplay between lavender’s soft floral notes and the sting of lemon juice. The only important thing to note when editing the ABV is that any changes in the champagne ratio will also modify the effervescence. Fortunately, there are ways to work around this challenge and keep her nice and bubbly.
The LowABV Edit: The champagne can be halved, or completely replaced, by (ideally) nonalcoholic sparkling wine or (not as good but still works) club soda. If you go with the latter, consider adding a splash of lemonade and/or white grape juice to ramp the body and complexity back up. And if you go without booze completely, consider all of the above—plus a tiny bit of orange blossom water to harmonize with the lavender.