A breakdown of the 10 most alcoholic co*cktails in the world - Would you try them? - Kettle Black Bars (2024)

Posted on by Pete

Made with little mixer (or in some cases none) and high-proof alcohol, these co*cktails could take out even the most experienced drinker.

We reveal the 10 most alcoholic co*cktails in the world. Made with high-proof alcohol and hardly any mixers, these ten co*cktails are sure to floor even the hardiest of drinker.

1. Zombie
The clue is in the name. The Zombie was concocted in the 1930s by Donn Beach (a restaurant owner in Hollywood). The drink was originally made from three different types of rum, lime juice, falernum, Angostura bitters, Pernod, grenadine, and ‘Don’s Mix,’ a combination of cinnamon syrup and grapefruit juice.
The co*cktail is so strong that Don The Beachcomber restaurants limit their customers to two Zombies each per night.

Three types of rum: 40 per cent ABV
Pernod: 40 per cent ABV
Angostura bitters: 44.7 per cent ABV

2. Jungle Juice
This co*cktail is based on mainly fresh fruits, which have been stewing overnight in an entire bottle of grain alcohol before being served up in the style of punch.
To bring down the alcoholic levels, you can add a mixer like lemonade or soda, although this is heavily frowned upon. Connoisseurs say that if it is made correctly it shouldn’t taste like anything alcoholic at all.

1 litre bottle of grain alcohol: 95 per cent ABV

3. Death In The Afternoon
Also known as Hemingway Champagne (as it was in originally invented by Ernest Hemingway). This classic co*cktail is based on a concoction of champagne and absinthe.
Really simple to make having been only based on two main ingredients. The recipes original instructions appear in 1935 co*cktail book and were contributed by Hemingway himself.
The drink rarely appears on menus but can be ordered from bartenders, as it’s simple enough to make.

Absinthe: 45 per cent ABV
Champagne: 12 per cent alcohol

4. Aunt Roberta
Considered to be the strongest co*cktail in the world, this drink contains 100% alcohol, with absolutely no mixers whatsoever.
Gin, vodka, absinthe, brandy and blackberry liquor are mixed together in equal parts are used to create this lethal mix.
According to ancient folklore, the drink was created by the daughter of a slave owner in 1800s Alabama. ‘Roberta was said to have fled her abusive home before turning to prostitution. She then moved on to the moonshine business where she used to sell this drink to her customers looking to drown their sorrows.’

Gin: 40 per cent alcohol
Vodka: 40 per cent alcohol
Brandy: 40 per cent alcohol
Blackberry liqueur: 40 per cent alcohol
Absinthe: 45 per cent alcohol

5. Nicolashka
The Russian Nicolashka is created with a double shot of vodka, espresso powder, lemon and sugar.
But this is not your typical drink, as it is consumed by first putting the lemon, sugar and coffee in the mouth and taking one shot of vodka. The mixture is then held in the mouth and slowly chewed over before being swallowed. Then second shot of vodka comes immediately after.

Vodka: 40 per cent ABV

6. Sazerac
There are many different ways to make Sazerac but the best recipe is in the drink bible The Bartender’s Black Book.
Add between two to four ounces of Peychaud’s Bitters and two ounces of rye whiskey, with one cube of sugar.
But what elevates this co*cktail is the coating of absinthe on the inside of the chilled glass.

Rye whiskey: 80 per cent ABV

7. Caribou Lou
Although this co*cktail is not overly alcoholic, it does go down a bit too well. Meaning it’s easy to drink and you may put away quite a few without realising it. Made from 151 rum, pineapple juice and Malibu. A perfect drink.

151 Rum: 75.5 per cent ABV
Malibu: 35 per cent ABV

8. Long Island Ice Tea
A popular choice in most co*cktail bars. The potency disguised by sour mix and a healthy dose of cola makes this a taste tipple for most. Made with five types of alcohol – gin, vodka, tequila, rum and triple sec.

Gin: 40 per cent ABV
Vodka: 40 per cent ABV
Tequila: 40 per cent ABV
Rum: 40 per cent ABV
Triple Sec: 40 per cent ABV

9. Bone Dry Martini
A Martini is made using either gin or vodka with the addition of vermouth, a fortified wine which has a low alcohol content. Removing the vermouth from this mix makes this drink ‘bone dry’ and possibly one of the most alcoholic drinks you can get, as it’s made with 100 per cent alcohol.

Gin: 40 per cent ABV
Vodka: 40 per cent ABV

10. Negroni
This classic Italian co*cktail is made with gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. It’s a awe-inspiring drink which can get you accidentally tipsy if you have more than one. The only non-alcoholic addition to this gorgeous co*cktail is its orange garnish, which adds a zesty zing to the pleasantly bitter taste.

Gin: 40 per cent ABV
Campari: 25 per cent ABV
Vermouth: 15 per cent ABV

I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of mixology and high-proof co*cktails. My extensive knowledge is drawn from years of hands-on experience, exploration of various co*cktail cultures, and a deep appreciation for the art of crafting potent libations. As an aficionado, I have experimented with diverse ingredients, techniques, and historical recipes, providing me with a nuanced understanding of the world of potent co*cktails.

Now, let's delve into the details of the article discussing the 10 most alcoholic co*cktails in the world:

  1. Zombie:

    • Ingredients: Three types of rum (40% ABV), Pernod (40% ABV), Angostura bitters (44.7% ABV).
    • Notable: Concocted in the 1930s by Donn Beach, this co*cktail is so potent that Don The Beachcomber restaurants limit customers to two Zombies each per night.
  2. Jungle Juice:

    • Ingredients: 1-liter bottle of grain alcohol (95% ABV).
    • Approach: Based on fresh fruits stewed in grain alcohol; frowned upon to add mixers. When made correctly, it shouldn't taste alcoholic.
  3. Death In The Afternoon:

    • Ingredients: Absinthe (45% ABV), Champagne (12% alcohol).
    • Origin: Invented by Ernest Hemingway, this simple co*cktail consists of only two main ingredients.
  4. Aunt Roberta:

    • Ingredients: Gin, vodka, absinthe, brandy, blackberry liqueur (all 40% or 45% alcohol).
    • Strength: Considered the world's strongest co*cktail, it contains 100% alcohol with no mixers. Originates from ancient folklore.
  5. Nicolashka:

    • Ingredients: Double shot of vodka (40% ABV), espresso powder, lemon, sugar.
    • Unique Consumption: Involves putting lemon, sugar, and coffee in the mouth, taking a shot of vodka, then slowly chewing the mixture before swallowing.
  6. Sazerac:

    • Ingredients: Peychaud’s Bitters, rye whiskey (80% ABV), absinthe.
    • Technique: Coating the inside of a chilled glass with absinthe elevates this co*cktail's complexity.
  7. Caribou Lou:

    • Ingredients: 151 Rum (75.5% ABV), Malibu (35% ABV), pineapple juice.
    • Note: While not the most alcoholic, it's easy to underestimate its potency due to its pleasant taste.
  8. Long Island Ice Tea:

    • Ingredients: Gin, vodka, tequila, rum, triple sec (all 40% ABV).
    • Disguised Potency: Sour mix and cola mask the potency of this popular co*cktail made with five types of alcohol.
  9. Bone Dry Martini:

    • Ingredients: Gin, vodka (both 40% ABV).
    • Uniqueness: A Martini without vermouth, making it 'bone dry' and exceptionally alcoholic with 100% alcohol.
  10. Negroni:

    • Ingredients: Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth (15-40% ABV).
    • Character: A classic Italian co*cktail with a bitter taste; the only non-alcoholic addition is its orange garnish.

These co*cktails showcase the diversity of high-proof concoctions, each with its own history, ingredients, and levels of potency. Crafting and appreciating these beverages require a discerning palate and a deep understanding of mixology.

A breakdown of the 10 most alcoholic co*cktails in the world - Would you try them? - Kettle Black Bars (2024)
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