Still rolling strong into February on the alcohol alternatives, this one is quite intriguing, but also rumoured to have a vile taste… As for how it works, well, I can’t find any good information on that really, other than it “stimulates biosynthesis of β-hydroxybutyrate.”
Piña Colada: Can states it has 4% or 12.5g “Ketohol” (R 1,3 Butanediol). Smells of coconut cream, pours mostly clear with a slightly opaque white haze, tastes fine honestly, lightly sweet coconut and pineapple up front with just a touch of tartness underneath and lightly effervescent medium body. The finish is a little watery and earthy, not even bitter or chemical/medicinal as I had feared, just notes of coconut cream, toasted coconut, and mascarpone. Overall it’s not the greatest tasting piña colada I’ve ever had, but it certainly does taste like one and is very drinkable; I would have no qualms over stocking my fridge with this, apart from the ~$7/can price. After 1 can I do feel a noticeable light buzz similar to alcohol.
G&T: 7%/17.25g Ketohol, smells of fresh lime, grapefruit and gin botanicals, same mostly clear but slightly opaque appearance, tastes stronger, almost no sweetness here, lots of lime juice and grapefruit juice on a ever so slightly thinner body. The finish is long and moderately bitter, featuring notes of lime peel, juniper, and candle wax. Overall, I can understand some of the complaints on flavor here, the final waxy bitterness lingers on the tongue for quite awhile, but the lime and gin flavors are really well done, and I think adding just a little more sweetness would balance it out more, but it is reminiscent of drinking gin. Halfway through this can I can definitely feel the effects of the Ketohol, very close to a 3-4 beer buzz.
Ginger Mule: 7%/17.25g Ketohol, smells of lemon juice with a hint of ginger, same opaque color, tastes lightly sweet and citrusy with on a medium body. The finish is long and low in bitterness, featuring notes of lemonade, candle wax, toasted coconut, and just a whisper of ginger. Overall, this is certainly much more enjoyable than the G&T, but I feel like it’s more of a lemonade than a mule with so little ginger flavor. Effects are rather potent and and feel like several alcoholic drinks from just this one can.