Liquor for Kids?

What's the Deal with Flavored Spirits?

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Dating Tips and Advice

Q: Dear April Masini,

I found some raspberry-flavored vodka under my teenage daughter's bed recently. Aside from the punishment we gave out to her, we sat her down and asked her why she needed to drink. Her answer? It actually tastes good! 

I tried some of the raspberry stuff, and to be honest, if you mix it with soda, it tastes practically like juice. I think it's disgusting, but I can see why my teenage daughter likes it, I guess. Is this stuff made for the younger set?

Sincerely,

Teetotaler Dad 

A:

Dear Teetotaler Dad,

Flavored spirits are the liquor industry's attempt to sell liquor to younger drinkers. Making liquor taste more like popsicles and candy is one way to get younger drinkers to drink more and more often. 
The taste of liquor isn't for everyone -- especially spirits that are not bogged down with bubbles to imitate soda pop. Infused spirits make it easier to drink spirits that don't normally taste sweet when sweet is what you like. 

But the liquor industry did not get the idea on its own. Thank the coffee industry for making the original bitter drink, coffee, into a tasty treat that is ice blended, mocha and caramel laced and sprinkled with everything from chocolate to brownie bits -- and suddenly, bars had competition -- from coffee shops of all things! Starbucks and other coffee shops became the new hangout -- but not just for adults after work, or singles scoping out other singles. It became the hangout for kids, nannies -- and grannies! And what led them all in? Sugar!

Liquor companies are no dummies. They saw what sugar did for coffee and they added it into their spirits -- and suddenly, young drinkers found more reasons to drink: flavored spirits. 

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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