30 Cocktails & Shots for People Who Don't Like Alcohol

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Tired of plain vodka shots? Here are some sweet drinks that are sure to go down easy
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It’s the weekend, and you’re looking forward to getting a little buzzed. You definitely aren’t looking forward to drinks that burn all the way down, though. You’re in luck—there are tons of fun shots and sweet drinks out there that don’t taste gross at all. We’ve put together a list of some of the best-tasting alcohol around, so you can enjoy a fun night in or a lively night out.

Things You Should Know

  • Take a ride on the citrus side of happy hour with a cosmopolitan, kamikaze, caipirinha, or Malibu sunset cocktail.
  • Get your wine fix with drinks like a mimosa, pink gin fizz, sangria, or spritzer.
  • Enjoy easy shots like a polar bear, lemon drop, pineapple upside down cake, or Irish car bomb.
1

Strawberry Margarita

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  1. Blend about 1-2 cups (217-434 g) of crushed ice cubes with 8-10 fresh strawberries, 4  fl oz (120 mL) of tequila, 1 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (44 mL) of triple sec, and 1 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (44 mL) of lime juice. Then, transfer the chilly mixture into 2-3 margarita glasses lined with sugar or salt. To really sweeten things up, stir a spoonful of sugar syrup (or however much you want) into your chilly treat. [1]
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2

Cosmopolitan

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  1. Pour 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of citrus-flavored vodka, 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of triple sec, 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of cranberry juice, and 1 ⁄ 4   fl oz (7.4 mL) of fresh lime juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker . Give all the ingredients a good shake before filtering the mixture into a pre-chilled cocktail glass . As a finishing touch, stick an orange twist into your tasty drink. [2]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Citrus vodka , triple sec
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
3

Kamikaze

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  1. Add 1 cup (217 g) of ice into a cocktail shaker, along with 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of lime juice, 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of triple sec, and 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of regular vodka. Shake all of the ingredients together, and then filter the mixture into a pre-chilled cocktail glass (or short glass). Garnish the drink with a lime wedge for good measure, and you’re ready to go. [3]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Triple sec, vodka
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
    • Shot alternative: Combine 6  fl oz (180 mL) of vodka, 3  fl oz (89 mL) of triple sec, and 3  fl oz (89 mL) of lime juice together in a cocktail shaker. Then, strain the mixture into 8 different shot glasses. [4]
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4

Sex on the Beach

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  1. Mix 1.7 fl oz (50 mL) of vodka, 0.85 fl oz (25 mL) of peach schnapps, 1.7 fl oz (50 mL) of cranberry juice, and 2 oranges’ worth of juice together into a pitcher. Then, pour your delicious concoction into two ice-filled glasses. You’re now ready to embark on a refreshing (and practically alcohol-free) tropical excursion!
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Vodka, peach schnapps
    • Recipe makes: 2 servings
5

Caipirinha

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  1. Toss ½ of a lime (sliced into 4 even pieces) into a cocktail shaker, along with 1-2 tsp (2.6-5.2 g) of powdered sugar. Using a muddler (like the end of a rolling pin), mash the ingredients together inside of the shaker. To finish off your refreshing drink, just add in 2  fl oz (59 mL) of cachaça and shake everything together. Serve the drink (without straining) in a regular glass—or on the rocks, if you’d like to keep things chilly. [5]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Cachaça (fermented sugar cane juice)
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
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6

Pina Colada

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  1. Add 1.5 cups of ice (326 g), ½ cup of chopped, frozen pineapple, 2  fl oz (59 mL) of pineapple juice, 2  fl oz (59 mL) of coconut cream , 1 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (44 mL) of white rum, and 1  fl oz (30 mL) of dark rum to a blender, and combine everything together until it’s totally smooth. Serve this fruity drink in the glass of your choice, topped with a pineapple slice.
7

Fuzzy Navel

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  1. Fill up a highball glass with 3  fl oz (89 mL) of peach schnapps and 3  fl oz (89 mL) of orange juice. Stir in ½ cup (109 g) of ice to make your drink nice and cold, and then dress it up with a single orange slice. [6]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Peach schnapps
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
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8

Screwdriver

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  1. Fill up a tall glass with a scoop of ice cubes, along with 1.7 fl oz (50 mL) of vodka, 1 juiced clementine, and 1 juiced orange (large). Mix everything together with a spoon, and then top it off with a few sprinklings of Angostura bitters and a fresh orange slice. [7]
9

Mai Tai

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  1. Fill up a cocktail shaker with 1 cup of ice (217 g), along with 1  fl oz (30 mL) of dark rum, 1  fl oz (30 mL) of aged rum, 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of fresh orange juice, 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of triple sec, 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of fresh lime juice, 1  tsp (4.9 mL) of orgeat syrup, 1 tsp (2.6 g) of powdered sugar, and a dash of grenadine . Give everything a good shake before filtering it into an ice-filled lowball glass . [8]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Dark rum, aged rum , triple sec
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
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10

Cape Codder

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  1. Add a handful of ice cubes to a highball glass, followed by 2  fl oz (59 mL) of vodka, 4  fl oz (120 mL) of cranberry juice, and half a lime’s worth of juice. Give your refreshing beverage a quick stir before topping it off with a lime slice.
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Vodka
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
11

Pink Gin Fizz

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  1. Mix 5 tbsp (39 g) of powdered sugar and 2.5 fl oz (75 mL) of lemon juice together in a pitcher, along with 5.1 fl oz (150 mL) of gin and a couple handfuls of ice. Mix all the ingredients together, filter out the ice, and ladle 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of the gin mixture into 8 separate flute glasses . Sprinkle a dash of bitters into each glass, and fill it up the rest of the way with sparkling wine to complete your refreshing pink cocktail. [9]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Gin , Angostura bitters, sparkling wine
    • Recipe makes: 8 servings
    • Pro tip: Give your pink gin fizz an even fancier look by garnishing it with a fresh raspberry.
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12

Spritzer

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  1. Pour some chilled white wine into a wine glass until it’s halfway full. Then, jazz up your drink with a splash of club soda (so the glass is around 75% full). Just stick a lime wedge on the side of your glass, and your delicious spritzer is ready to go!
    • Alcohol you’ll need: White wine
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
    • Pro tip: For an even sweeter spritzer, switch out club soda with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
13

White Russian

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  1. Fill a lowball glass with 4-5 small ice cubes, along with 2  fl oz (59 mL) of vodka and 1  fl oz (30 mL) of Kahlua. Mix everything together for 30 seconds so it’s nice and cold, and then top off the drink with 1  fl oz (30 mL) of heavy cream. [10]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Vodka, Kahlua
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
    • Pro tip: For an even sweeter drink, use just 1  fl oz (30 mL) of vodka.
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14

Mimosa

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  1. Grab 2 flute glasses and fill each of them up with 1 ⁄ 4   c (59 mL) of orange juice, followed by 3 ⁄ 4   c (180 mL) of chilled champagne. Your sweet mimosas are now ready to go! [11]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Champagne (chilled)
    • Recipe makes: 2 servings
15

Coconut Rum with Pineapple Juice

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  1. Grab a lowball glass that can hold 10  fl oz (300 mL) and fill it up most of the way with pineapple juice. To give your juice a tropical kick, pour in 1 1 ⁄ 4   fl oz (37 mL) of coconut rum.
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Coconut rum
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
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16

Long Island Iced Tea

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  1. Fill up a bowl with ice, along with 1 ⁄ 2   c (120 mL) of tequila, 1 ⁄ 2   c (120 mL) of white rum, 1 ⁄ 2   c (120 mL) of vodka, 1 ⁄ 2   c (120 mL) of gin, 1 ⁄ 2   c (120 mL) of triple sec, 3 ⁄ 4   c (180 mL) of lemon juice, and 3 ⁄ 4   c (180 mL) of sugar syrup . Stir everything together until it’s nice and cold, and then filter it into a pitcher. Pour the drink into various ice-filled highball glasses, and your happy hour is ready to begin. [12]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Tequila, white rum, vodka, gin, triple sec
    • Recipe makes: 8 to 12 servings
    • Pro tip: Top each glass with a lemon wedge as a nice garnish. If you’d like, pour a little extra cola into your glass.
17

Malibu Sunset

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  1. Add some ice to a tall glass, followed by 2  fl oz (59 mL) of coconut rum, 1  fl oz (30 mL) of coconut milk , 4  fl oz (120 mL) of citrus punch, and 1  fl oz (30 mL) of grenadine. Enjoy this drink at sunset, or whenever you’d prefer—the choice is yours! [13]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Coconut rum
    • Recipe makes: 1-2 servings
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18

Mojito

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  1. Grab a small jug and use it to muddle 1 lime’s worth of juice, 1 tsp (4.2 g) of white sugar, and a small fistful of mint leaves together. Transfer the mixture into an ice-filled highball glass, along with with 2 fl oz (60 mL) of white rum. To finish off your drink, fill up your glass the rest of the way with soda water.
    • Alcohol you’ll need: White rum
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
19

Tequila Sunrise

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  1. Grab a highball glass and fill it with 2  fl oz (59 mL) of tequila and 3  fl oz (89 mL) of orange juice, along with a few ice cubes. To give your drink its iconic, rosy look, drizzle 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of grenadine (or creme de cassis) over the top of the drink. Simply add a cherry and orange slice on top, and your cocktail is ready to enjoy at any time of day! [14]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Tequila
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
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20

Radler

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  1. Yes please. Whip up a batch of sugar syrup with 2  fl oz (59 mL) of water and 1.5 tbsp (18.75 g) of white sugar. Once the syrup cools, mix in 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of fresh lemon juice, 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of fresh lime juice, 12  fl oz (350 mL) of sparkling water, and 16  fl oz (470 mL) of pilsner beer. Divide the drink into 3 beer glasses, and enjoy!
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Pilsner
    • Recipe makes: 3 servings
    • Pro tip: Add a lemon or lime slice to your drink as a fun garnish.
21

Sangria

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  1. Combine 25.4 fl oz (750 mL) of dry red wine, 1 ⁄ 2   c (120 mL) of brandy, 1 ⁄ 2   c (120 mL) of triple sec, 1 ⁄ 3   c (79 mL) of frozen lemonade concentrate, 1 ⁄ 3   c (79 mL) of orange juice, 1 ⁄ 4   c (59 mL) of lemon juice, and ¼ cup (50 g) of white sugar all together in a large bowl. Add in 1 sliced orange, 1 sliced lemon, 1 sliced lime, and 8 maraschino cherries into the mixture as an extra fruity touch. Refrigerate the drink overnight so it’s nice and cold—or, if you’re in a rush, pour it into a glass filled with ice. [15]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Red wine (dry), brandy, triple sec
    • Recipe makes: 6 servings
    • Pro tip: Give your sangria a sparkling touch by adding in 2  c (470 mL) of sparkling water.
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22

Appletini

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  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, along with 1.7 fl oz (50 mL) of vodka, 1.7 fl oz (50 mL) of cloudy apple juice, 1  tsp (4.9 mL) of lemon juice, and 1  tsp (4.9 mL) of maple syrup. Once the mixture is super cold, filter it into a martini glass and decorate it with an apple slice. [16]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Vodka
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
23

Moscow Mule

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  1. Grab a mug and fill it with some ice cubes, as well as 1 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (44 mL) of vodka, 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of lime juice, and 1 ⁄ 2   c (120 mL) of ginger beer. For good measure, stick a lime wedge on top of your delightfully refreshing beverage. [17]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Vodka, ginger beer
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
    • Pro tip: To make your Moscow mule as traditional as possible, serve it in a copper mug .
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24

Cuba Libre

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  1. Grab a highball glass and squeeze in an entire lime’s worth of juice. Then, muddle half of the squeezed lime in the glass—this mixes the oils from the lime in with the juice. Finish off your sweet drink by adding in 2  fl oz (59 mL) of dark rum, a few ice cubes, and enough cola to fill up the glass. Mix everything together, and enjoy! [18]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Dark rum
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
25

The Melon Ball

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  1. Fill a small glass with 2  fl oz (59 mL) of Midori and 1  fl oz (30 mL) of vodka. To give it an extra fruity finish, fill it up the rest of the way with fresh-squeezed orange juice. As a tasty garnish, add drape a small skewer of melon balls on top of your bright green beverage. [19]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Midori, vodka
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
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26

Gin & Tonic

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  1. Grab a thin, tall glass and toss in 4 ice cubes. Start by pouring 2  fl oz (59 mL) of gin directly into the glass, followed by 4  fl oz (120 mL) of tonic water and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of fresh lime juice. After mixing everything together with a spoon, top off this classic beverage with a lime wedge. [20]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Gin
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
27

Polar Bear Shot

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  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of creme de cacao along with 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of creme de menthe. Shake everything together before pouring the minty mixture into a single shot glass. Some people like to drink this shot all in one go, while other people prefer to sip and savor it—the choice is yours! [21]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Creme de cacao , creme de menthe
    • Recipe makes: 1 shot
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28

Lemon Drop

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  1. Add 3 ⁄ 4   fl oz (22 mL) of vodka to a single shot glass, along with 3 ⁄ 4   fl oz (22 mL) of lemon juice. Mix ½ tsp (2.1 g) of white sugar into the shot glass, and dip a fresh lemon slice into 2 extra tsp (8.4 g) of sugar. Once you’ve enjoyed the shot, finish things off by sucking on a sweet lemon slice. [22]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Vodka
    • Recipe makes: 1 shot
29

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot

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  1. Add 1  fl oz (30 mL) of vanilla vodka into a shot glass, along with 1  fl oz (30 mL) of pineapple juice. For a touch touch, drip a single drop of grenadine on top of your sweet shot before gulping it down. [23]
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30

Irish Car Bomb

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  1. Grab a regular glass that can hold at least 8  fl oz (240 mL) of liquid and fill it with 6  fl oz (180 mL) of Guinness. In a separate shot glass, combine 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of Irish cream liqueur with 1 ⁄ 2   fl oz (15 mL) of jameson Irish whiskey. As quickly as you can, submerge the shot glass in the cup of Guinness and drink it all as quickly as you can. [24]
    • Alcohol you’ll need: Irish cream liqueur , Irish whiskey, Guinness
    • Recipe makes: 1 serving
    • Pro tip: Make sure that your Guinness glass is wide enough to fit a shot glass.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What's the best alcohol to use if I don't want my drink to taste like alcohol?
    Yasmin Rosales
    Professional Bartender
    Yasmin Rosales is a Bartending Expert based in South Florida. She is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Bartender at Stir it Up Mobile Bar, a mobile bar serving all of South, Florida. Since its founding in 2020, Stir It Up has become a highly respected name in the local event and mobile bartending industry, and prides itself in delivering excellence and an unmatched experience as a preferred luxury bar service. Yasmin has 18 years in the event and hospitality industry, and has made it her mission to infuse joy and a touch of sophistication into every event. In addition to Stir it Up, she owns several satellite bars, a refurbished horse trailer bar named “Glory” and manages a team of bartenders who love the industry as much as she does. She recieved an AS from Broward College in Crime Scene Technology.
    Yasmin Rosales
    Professional Bartender
    Expert Answer
    You can use vodka, as it has a neutral flavor. Start by matching the taste and the amount of vodka to mask the alcohol taste effectively. For example, mix vodka with equal parts fruit juice, such as orange or cranberry juice. You can also add espresso to your vodka to make a vodka espresso cocktail. Lastly, blend vodka with flavored sodas or tonic water, then add a splash of simple syrup and fresh citrus, like lemon or lime juice, to further enhance the flavor and to minimize the alcoholic taste of your drink. 
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      Tips

      • It’s always fun to enjoy a tasty cocktail or shot, but it’s just as important to pace yourself. Make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water, and try to enjoy your beverage in small sips (rather than chugging it down in one go). [25]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/beverage/strawberrymargarita.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-make-a-cosmopolitan-cocktail-best-recipe
      3. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222526/kamikaze-cocktail/
      4. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/164486/kamikaze-shots-for-a-crowd/
      5. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/caipirinha-cocktail-recipe
      6. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222883/fuzzy-navel-cocktail/
      7. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/screwdriver
      8. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mai-tai-230577
      9. ↑ https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/drinks/pink-gin-fizz
      1. ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/white_russian_cocktail/
      2. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/23758/mimosa/
      3. ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/long_island_iced_tea/
      4. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/malibu-sunset-465774
      5. ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/tequila-sunrise-recipe-5219898
      6. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/72612/sangria-sangria/
      7. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/appletini
      8. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/221310/moscow-mule-cocktail/
      9. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/cuba-libre-rum-coke-cocktail-recipe
      10. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/classic-cocktail-recipe-the-melon-ball-the-10-minute-happy-hour-174775
      11. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/49355/gin-and-tonic/
      12. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/polar-bear-shot-334809
      13. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/256748/lemon-drop-shots/
      14. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/pineapple-upside-down-cake-shot-270211
      15. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/irish-car-bomb-45629
      16. ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/top-7-tips-for-safe-drinking
      17. ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/top-7-tips-for-safe-drinking

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