[[Image:Bacardibreezer.jpg|thumb|Two Bacardi Breezers]]
'''Alcopop''' is a term often used to describe flavored alcoholic beverages including (i) a malt beverage to which various fruit juices or other flavorings have been added, (ii) a beverage containing wine to which ingredients such as fruit juice or other flavorings have been added, or(iii)a beverage containing distilled alcohol and added ingredients such as fruit juices or other flavorings. <ref>[http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=51&GA=95&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=1625&GAID=9&LegID=29771&SpecSess=&Session= Illinois General Assembly 1977]</ref> Other terms include '''FAB''' (Flavored Alcoholic Beverage), '''FMB''' (Flavored Malt Beverage), '''PPS''' (Pre-Packaged Spirit or Premium Packaged Spirits), '''RTD''' (Ready To Drink - [[new zealand|NZ]]), Pre-Mixed Drink, malternative, alcoholic lemonade, alcoholic cola, and flavored beer. <ref>
[http://www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/pdf/fmbpaper2.pdf. California Board of Equalization. Flavored Malt Beverages, 2005] </ref>

==Description==
These drinks tend to be [[sweetness|sweet]] and are served in small [[bottle]]s (typically 0,33 [[Litre]]s in Europe and 12 [[Fluid ounce|fl oz]] or 355 ml (the normal size of a soda/pop can) in the US and Canada), and between 4–7% [[alcohol by volume]]. In Europe and Canada, alcopops tend to be pre-mixed spirits, including vodka (e.g. [[Smirnoff Ice]]) or rum (e.g. [[Bacardi Breezer]]). In the United States, alcopops are generally [[hop (plant)|un-hopped]] [[beer]]s with added sugar, coloring and flavoring; these drinks are legally classified as beers and can be sold in outlets that do not or cannot carry spirit-based drinks.

According to the U.S. [[Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau]] (TTB):

"Flavored malt beverages are brewery products that differ from traditional malt beverages such as beer, ale, lager, porter, stout, or malt liquor in several respects. Flavored malt beverages exhibit little or no traditional beer or malt beverage character. Their flavor is derived primarily from added flavors rather than from malt and other materials used in fermentation. At the same time, flavored malt beverages are marketed in traditional beer-type bottles and cans and distributed to the alcohol beverage market through beer and malt beverage wholesalers, and their alcohol content is similar to other malt beverages in the 4-6% alcohol by volume range.

Although flavored malt beverages are produced at breweries, their method of production differs significantly from the production of other malt beverages and beer. In producing flavored malt beverages, brewers brew a fermented base of beer from malt and other brewing materials. Brewers then treat this base using a variety of processes in order to remove malt beverage character from the base.
For example, they remove the color, bitterness, and taste generally associated with beer, ale, porter, stout, and other malt beverages. This leaves a base product to which brewers add various flavors, which typically contain distilled spirits, to achieve the desired taste
profile and alcohol level.

While the alcohol content of flavored malt beverages is similar to that of most traditional malt beverages, the alcohol in many of them is derived primarily from the distilled spirits component of the added flavors rather than from fermentation." (70 Fed. Reg. 194 et seq.
(January 3, 2005).) <ref> [http://www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/pdf/fmbpaper2.pdf. California Board of Equalization. Flavored Malt Beverages, 2005] </ref>

==History==
These drinks emerged onto the US market in the late 1980s when [[Bacardi]] introduced the [[Bacardi Breezer|Breezer]].<ref>http://www.distell.co.za/runtime/popcontentrun.aspx?pageidref=1900</ref> A growth in popularity occurred around 1994 with [[Merrydown]]'s [[Two Dogs]], [[Hooper's Hooch]] and [[Zima]], which was marketed under the title of "malternative beverage". Later, [[Mike's Hard Lemonade]] was released in the United States, with humorous commercials depicting what they called "violence against lemons". [[Smirnoff]] also came out with another [[citrus]]-[[flavor]]ed [[malt beverage]] in the United States in the late 1990s called [[Smirnoff Ice]], which promoted itself with flashy commercials, usually involving trendy young people dancing in unlikely situations and places. (In the UK, Smirnoff Ice is marketed by [[Diageo]] as a [[Premium Packaged Spirits (PPS)|PPS]].)

Some have expressed concern that such drinks might appeal to children as they tend to be sweet and brightly coloured. Many [[Alcohol advertising|alcopop advertising campaigns]] have been criticised as trying to make alcopops appeal to young drinkers. In the United Kingdom, that led to a media outcry during the mid-1990s as the [[tabloid]] press associated alcopops with under-age drinking which damaged sales and would lead to [[off-licence]]s withdrawing them from their stores.

In response to a complaint from the [[Center for Science in the Public Interest]] (CSPI), the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) conducted an extensive investigation in 2001. The agency "found no evidence of intent to target minors with the FMB products, packaging, or advertising. Furthermore, after reviewing the consumer survey evidence submitted by CSPI in support of the proposition that FMBs were predominantly popular with minors, the FTC concluded that flaws in the survey's methodology limited the ability to draw conclusions from the survey data." <ref> [http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/04-28460.htm] Federal Register: January 3, 2005, Volume 70, Number, Rules and Regulations, p. 228 </ref>

The Federal Trade Commission again in 2003 investigated FMB ads, product placement, and internal company marketing documents after a directive from the conferees of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. "The Commission’s investigation found no evidence of targeting underage consumers in the marketing of FMBs. Adults 21 to 29 appear to be the intended target of FMB marketing" (<ref name=FTC>Federal Trade Commission. ''[http://www.ftc.gov/os/2003/09/alcohol08report.pdf Alcohol Marketing and Advertising: A Report to Congress]''. Washington, DC: Federal Trade Commission, 2003.</ref>, p22) and found that "the majority of FMB drinkers are over the age of 27." (<ref> [http://www.ftc.gov/os/2003/09/alcohol08report.pdf Alcohol Marketing and Advertising: A Report to Congress]''. Washington, DC: Federal Trade Commission, 2003 </ref> p.5.)

Nevertheless concern remains. In [[December 2003]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] raised the tax on alcopops to equal that of spirits, (the second highest in [[Europe]]). While [[Germany]] has imposed an extra duty of 0.80 to 0.90 [[euro]] per bottle effective [[August 1]], [[2004]]. To circumvent higher taxation, some German producers have switched to [[wine coolers]], which are being marketed the same way. Some bottles now carry a warning stating that they are not for consumption by minors (under 18 in the UK and 21 in the United States).

The Federal Trade Commission report states, "Further, industry-conducted research on consumers over the age of 21 who use FMBs shows that these consumers generally view the FMBs as substitutes for beer, ... This research also concludes that consumers are not likely to consume more than two or three FMBs on any occasion because of the products’
sweetness.(<ref name=FTC/>, p5) Therefore, it has been hypothesized that if alcopops became much more popular, heavy drinking would decrease [http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Controversies/1064432792.html].

==Law==

California's state assembly recently passed AB 346, a bill which requires manufacturers of alcopops to carry a 'warning' label stating "ATTENTION: THIS DRINK CONTAINS ALCOHOL." <ref>http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset2text.htm</ref> This bill has been praised by groups advocating against consumption of alcohol by minors<ref>http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/06-08-2007/0004604913&EDATE=</ref>, since these drinks are favored by young people due to their flavor and alcohol content.

==List of drinks==

Some of these drinks are currently available; others have been discontinued.

* [[Absolut Cut]]
* [[Action Jackson]]
* [[Vodka Cruiser]]
* [[Vodka Cruiser Black]]
* [[Bacardi Breezer]]
* [[C.C.&G]] ([[Canadian Club]] and Ginger [Ale])
* [[Hooper's Hooch]]
* [[Jack Daniel's Country Cocktail]]
* [[Johnnie Walker]] and Cola or Dry
* [[Jim Beam]] and Cola or Dry
* [[UDL (drink)|UDL]]
* [[Gordon's Gin]] and Tonic
* [[Skyy Blue]]
* [[Lemon Ruski]]
* [[Stoli Black Russian]]
* [[Doc Otis]] (discontinued)
* [[K Ice]]
* [[L'ush]]
* [[Metz (drink)|Metz]] (discontinued)
* [[Caesar (cocktail)|Ceasar]] (produced by [[Mott's]] and [[The Keg]])
* [[Mike's Hard Lemonade Co.|Mike's Hard Lemonade]]
* [[Reef (drink)|Reef]]
* '''S'''pirit, '''H'''op '''A'''nd '''G'''rape Co. (outlawed by the [[Portman Group]] – rude)
* Spoof (discontinued by the [[Portman Group]] - marketing 'too young')
* [[Smirnoff Ice]]
* [[Smirnoff Ice Triple Black]]
* [[Smirnoff Twisted]]
* [[Smirnoff Raw Tea]]
* [[Twisted Tea]]
* [[Two Dogs]]
* [[V Ice]]
* [[Vikingfjord]]
* [[WKD Original Vodka|WKD]]
* Coast
* [[Joose (drink)|Joose]] (new "energy" hybrid containing stimulants: caffeine, ginseng, taurine)
* [[Sparks (drink)|Sparks]] (new "energy" hybrid containing stimulants: caffeine, taurine)
* [[Tilt (Drink)|Tilt]] (new "energy" hybrid containing stimulants: caffeine, guaraná and ginseng)
* TVX
* Vex

{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 85%; border: gray solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; width: 100%;"
|-style="background: #ececec;"
! style="width:12em" rowspan="2"|
! rowspan="2"| Creator
! rowspan="2"| Base
! colspan="5"| Sold mixed with
! colspan="3"| Sold in
! rowspan="2"| D/C*
|-style="background: #ececec;"
! [[Cola]]
! [[Ginger Ale]]
! [[Lemonade]]
! [[Citrus]]
! [[Milk]]
! US
! Australia
! UK
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Action Jackson]]
| [[Jericho Jackson]]
| [[Vodka]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Black Douglas]]
| [[Black Douglas]]
| [[Scotch Whisky]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| ?
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Bundaberg Rum]]
| [[Bundaberg Rum]]
| [[Rum]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Country Coolers
| [[Jack Daniels]]
| [[Beer]]
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Hooper's Hooch
| United States Beverage
| [[Beer]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Jack Daniels]]
| [[Jack Daniels]]
| [[Bourbon whiskey|Bourbon Whiskey]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Jewel Isle Rum Punch
| Jewel Isle Productions
| [[Rum]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Jim Beam]]
| [[Jim Beam]]
| [[Bourbon whiskey|Bourbon Whiskey]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Johnnie Walker]]
| [[Johnnie Walker]]
| [[Scotch whisky]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Lemon Ruski
| [[Stolichnaya]]
| [[Vodka]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| ?
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Mike's Hard Lemonade
| [[Mike's Hard Lemonade|Mike's Hard Lemonade Co]]
| [[Beer]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Pulse
| Independent Liquor
| [[Vodka]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| ?
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Red Square
| Halewood International
| [[Rum]], [[Schnapps]], [[Vodka]],
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | UDL
| UDL
| [[Scotch whisky]], [[Rum]], [[Vodka]], [[Ouzo]]
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Vodka Cruisers
| Independent Liquor
| [[Vodka]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| ?
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Vodka Mudshakes
| Independent Liquor
| [[Vodka]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | Vodka Kick
| Global Brands
| [[Vodka]]
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[White Mountain Coolers]]
| [[Stroh Brewery Company]]
| Beer
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[WKD Original Vodka]]
| WKD
| Vodka
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
! {{rh}} | [[Zima|Zima XXX]]
| [[Coors Brewing Company]]
| Beer
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|}

* D/C = discontinued

==References==
<references/>
*Bloomberg News, "FTC Says Alcohol Type Not Aimed at Minors". ''Los Angeles Times'', [[June 5]], [[2002]].
*Melillo, W. "FTC: Ads for 'Alcopops' Not Aimed at Teens". ''Adweek'', [[June 6]], [[2002]].
*AMA Says Alcohol Industry Targets Teen Girls
[http://alcoholism.about.com/od/teens/a/blama041216.htm]
*California boosts tax on 'alcopops' ''MSNBC'' [ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20277967/]

==See also==
*[[Alcoholic beverage]]
*[[Alcoholism]]
*[[Drunkenness]]
*[[Hangover]]

==External links==
*[http://owen.massey.net/alcopops/ Spin the Bottle: A Consumer's Guide to Alcopops]
*[http://www.portman-group.org.uk Portman Group]
*[http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/294319/ PPS category]
*{{dmoz|Recreation/Food/Drink/Beer/Alcopops/|Alcopops}}

{{Alcoholic beverages}}

[[Category:Alcopop| ]]

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