In the heat of summer, New Yorkers are throwing back just about any kind of cold beverage they can get their hands on. Hard seltzer drinks have become especially popular in recent years, partly because they’re relatively low in calories.
Whether you’re at the beach, at a pool party or just taking a break from chores, hard seltzer may seem like the perfect drink. It’s got just enough alcohol to give you a little buzz, but not enough to get you drunk – unless you drink a lot of it.
That’s the problem. The low alcohol content can lull people into believing they can safely consume as much as they want without any effect on their ability to drive. That’s a dangerously false belief.
How does hard seltzer compare with other alcoholic drinks?
Hard seltzer is made out of flavored carbonated water and alcohol. A can of hard seltzer is about 4% to 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), but it can be up to twice that much. By comparison, a 12-ounce bottle of beer is about 5% ABV. (The leading beer manufacturers have gotten into the hard seltzer market.) A 5-ounce glass of wine is about 12% ABV. A shot of distilled alcohol can be a whopping 40% ABV. If you’re drinking someone’s “homemade” hard seltzer, you really can’t be sure how much alcohol you’re consuming.
Why low alcohol beverages are becoming more popular
Another reason for the growing popularity of hard seltzers and other “low alcohol” drinks is that it’s becoming more widely acceptable, even for young people, to cut back on their alcohol consumption. Terms like “soberish” and “sober curious” are becoming more widely used. However, make no mistake: It may you longer to get drunk on hard cider than vodka or whiskey, but if you drink enough of it, you could well be over the legal limit for driving.
If you’re facing DWI charges, it doesn’t matter what kind of alcohol you consumed. The penalties aren’t lighter because you were drinking hard cider at a party all afternoon rather than mixed drinks. Don’t try to deal with a DWI on your own. Having experienced legal guidance can help you protect your rights and work to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.