15 Must-Try Low ABV Cocktails

If you’re into cocktails but are looking for something a little lighter on the alcohol, then low ABV cocktails might just be your new best friend. These drinks are all about keeping the alcohol content low, usually around 1-3 ounces, while still delivering big on flavor. They’re perfect for those times when you want to enjoy a delicious cocktail without feeling the full effects of a higher alcohol content.

Low ABV cocktails are great for anyone who’s looking to pace themselves, enjoy a few drinks without getting too tipsy, or simply savor the flavors without the strong kick. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, lounging by the pool, or just want to unwind after a long day, low ABV cocktails offer a refreshing and flavorful option for cocktail lovers of all kinds.

Americano Cocktail

The Americano was partly made famous by James Bond. This slightly bitter low-ABV sipper is perfect for fans of negronis, Manhattans, and other boozy drinks. The Americano delivers these favorites’ complex profile and bitterness without being overly boozy.
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Adonis

Adonis—a slightly sweet, slightly bitter sipper was born in the 1880s, and it endures because it’s delicious and so easy to make. Since there are only two ingredients, fino sherry, and sweet vermouth, the Adonis makes a perfect party cocktail you can batch ahead of time and enjoy with your guests. 
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Low ABV Grapefruit Spritzer

The perfect porch side sipper for the end of summer, this grapefruit spritzer uses Aperol, a sweet and bitter Italian aperitif that plays exceptionally well with citrus ingredients. Aperol is a very low ABV spirit at 35-proof, making this cocktail ideal for people with alcohol sensitivities.
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Low-ABV Drink: The Wrangler

The Wrangler is a complex sipper that uses almond orgeat syrup and sherry to create a nutty and nuanced low-ABV cocktail that’s easy to love. Fresh lemon juice and a garnish of fresh nutmeg provide the fireworks for this tasty cocktail you can enjoy all year round.
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Floppy Disk

Can a drink be both boozy and low ABV? Floppy Dish is a complex cocktail that is a bit more challenging. Smoky mezcal and bitter Cynar play off each other beautifully in this sweet, smokey, and bitter low-ABV sipper.
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Low-Alcohol French 75

The classic French 75 version replaces the gin for vermouth, which reduces the alcohol without compromising the signature flavor of the cocktail. This version requires you to make your own shrub, so it’s a bit more labor-intensive.
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Sparkling Coffee & Amaro Low ABV Cocktail

This low-ABV firecracker combines the complex bittersweet flavors of Montenegro amaro with coffee and tonic to deliver a jolt without tons of alcohol. Tonic water helps to balance the sweetness and bitterness of this easy-to-make cocktail. This drink works just as well with espresso, iced coffee or cold brew. 
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Crimson Sour: A Low-ABV Holiday Cocktail

This cocktail with blood orange is a labor of love, as you’ll need to prepare the Cacao Campari and vanilla simple syrup ahead of time. It’s all worth it, as this sweet and complex sipper is the perfect drink to delight your guests this holiday season.
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The Diplomat

The Diplomat is one in a long line of delicious low-ABV cocktails that use vermouth as the show’s star. Sweet, slightly bitter, and very complex, the Diplomat is an easy cocktail to make, and it can easily be batched to serve party guests.
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Low ABV Mojito

This lower-ABV version replaces most of the rum with low-alcohol spirits like vermouth and St. Germain. The resulting beverage transports you straight to the tropics, just like any mojito should. Except with this one, there’s no hangover to contend with. 
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The Perfect Low-ABV Sherry Cocktail

A staple of the cocktail list at José Andrés’ Jaleo restaurant. This tasty low-ABV cocktail leverages the sweet, nutty flavors of two types of sherry and combines them with a unique beer-based pear system to produce a nuanced and delicious cocktail you can enjoy any time.
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Spiced Citrus Paloma

This delicious drink uses ultra-low alcohol spirits from Atopia to deliver a cocktail that provides all of the flavors and complexity of a Paloma with none of the handover. It’s a quick, three-ingredient cocktail that you can whip up in less than a minute.
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Endless Spring

Endless spring is a concoction to create a cocktail brimming with fresh strawberry flavor. This delicious all-day sipper is a bit more involved than other cocktails on our list, making it a perfect option for aspiring mixologists looking to find new flavors.
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Suppressor #21

This delightful fortified wine cocktail that’s easy to make by the glass or in batches. The drink is bittersweet and delicate thanks to the inclusion of Cynar and bitters, and it’s ideal for times when you want a stirred cocktail that isn’t very boozy.
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Cucumber Gin Cocktail

This refreshing sipper is perfect for enjoying on a hot summer day, and the sage syrup adds some complexity to an otherwise simple drink. Be careful with this one because even though it’s relatively low in alcohol, they’re very crushable and easy to accidentally drink a handful of. 
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