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Spacers have replaced chasers as the drink that follows the drink.
A chaser — typically beer — follows a shot of booze to cleanse the harsh alcohol of strong spirits off the palate.
A spacer is a non-alcoholic drink that people enjoy between “drink” drinks. Spacers keep the beach vibes booming longer and prevent over-boozing.
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“Most people looking for a drink between alcoholic drinks would have water or soda water,” Molly Fedick, founder of Buzzkill Wines in Los Angeles, California, told Fox News Digital.
Spacers offer everything found in any other trendy adult beverage, except for alcohol.
Molly Fedick, shown here, founded Buzzkill Wines in Los Angeles in 2022. The company makes and sells only non-alcoholic wines. (Buzzkill Wines LLC)
Buzzkill Wines is one of scores of new non-alcoholic booze brands that began opening in the last decade but exploded in number during the COVID era.
The new zero-proof drinks offer all the style, flavor, sophistication or sparkle of traditional beers, wines and spirits. They’re usually branded and packaged like any other trendy booze product.
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The buzz-free drinks biz has gone far beyond just water-downed near-beer or non-alcoholic wine.
It’s now easy to find “zero-proof” spirits and ready-to-drink packaged cocktails.
“They’re for people who like to drink, but just want to drink less,” said Fedick.
Spacers have grown increasingly common among young adults who drink less than previous generations did or do.
A metal “No Alcohol” sign is shown at the Pacific Ocean near Malibu, California. (Michael Hurcomb/Corbis via Getty Images)
“It kind of gives you like a drinking placebo effect,” said Fedick. “It looks and feels like you’re still drinking even if you’re taking a break.”
Here are five easy-breezy, booze-free beverages you can drink all day or as a spacer this summer — when you want to take a break from boozing but not take a break from the flavor of fun.
1. Beer: Best Day Electro-Lime
Mexican-style non-alcoholic lager ups the beer game with lime puree and sea salt already mixed into it.
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Best Day Brewing suggests enjoying Electro-Lime with “pool days, concerts and post-run bliss.”
2. Wine: Buzzkill Blanc de Blancs
This dry, crisp, sparkling chardonnay is an ideal substitute for champagne, boasts Buzzkill founder Fedick.
Buzzkill Wines Blanc de Blancs is a non-alcoholic sparking chardonnay. (Buzzkill Wines LLC)
She enjoys Blanc de Blancs on its own or mixed with orange for a non-alcoholic mimosa.
3. Mixer: All the Bitter Aromatic Bitters
Traditional bitters are more than just a cocktail accent. They can pack a 90-proof punch.
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Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger and gentian give these non-alcoholic bitters plenty of complex flavors – enough to splash up the taste of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.
4. Seltzer: Sanzo Mango Sparkling Water
Sparkling water has long been a trusty but boring alcohol-free drinking option. Sanzo leads a new generation of sparkling waters with bold new flavors.
Spring Breakers celebrate St.Patricks Day on Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/Corbis via Getty Images) (Michele Eve Sandberg/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Sanzo sparking waters really pack a bunch,” said Fedick. They make a great mixer for non-alcoholic cocktails, too.
5. Cocktail: ISH Gin & Tonic
ISH, based in the U.K., is one of the global leaders of the zero-proof movement.
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It offers pre-mixed gin and tonic drinks, such as the traditional alcohol cocktail, with quinine tonic and an array of gin botanicals, including juniper, coriander and bitter orange.
Kerry J. Byrne is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.
