Everything we eat and drink is either neutral, acidic, or alkaline. Ideally, we don't want to eat or drink overly acidic things too often because it can cause adverse health effects.
If you're not someone who enjoys alcohol, then this may not mean anything to you.
But, if you enjoy having a few drinks after a long day or going out on the weekends, I hate to break this to you, but alcohol is acidic.
For those of you who have acid reflux or are concerned about drinking too many acidic things, some alcohol is less acidic than others.
Here are some of the most common alcohols ranked from the most acidic to the least acidic.
Table of Contents
1. Limoncello
Limoncello isn't something you'll typically order at a bar or restaurant in the United States, but it's popular in many places in the world, especially Europe. This lemony beverage is very acidic since it's made primarily from lemons. The pH of Limoncello ranges from 2 to 3, making it super acidic.
2. Kombucha Tea
Kombucha tea is rising in popularity for a variety of reasons. While there are delicious flavors and you feel somewhat healthier when you're drinking this compared to a mixed drink with soda, the acidity in kombucha is a bit much.
The pH for most kombucha tea is around 2.4. Some brands have less acidity, and their pH is approximately 4.5. Either way, it may not be great for those with acid reflux.
3. Champagne
I don't know about you, but I love a great glass of champagne... or several mimosas at brunch. But champagne is one of the most acidic types of alcohol.
Champagne has a pH of 2.9. So if you're trying to drink less acid, maybe only have a glass or two rather than going to bottomless mimosas on Saturday.
4. Cider
Ciders are all the rage for those who don't want to drink liquor but aren't huge fans of traditional beer. Ciders can be made with almost any fruit but are commonly made with apples.
While they may taste better than other drinks to some people, they have a pH that ranges from 2.9 to 3.3. You may love the taste, but if you drink too many of them, you may have some uncomfortable heartburn later that day.
5. Port Wine
Wine is usually known for being acidic, but did you know that port wine is the most acidic wine? This Portuguese wine is generally served with dessert or called a dessert wine, but it's acidic. The pH of port wine is 2.9.
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6. Hard Seltzers
Hard Seltzer 3.1 pH
Hard seltzers are the new fad among young people. They're low in carbs, low in sugar, and low in calories. But unfortunately, they're not very low in acidity.
The pH of most hard seltzers is around 3.1. So while you're not consuming as many calories as someone drinking a beer, you're consuming a bit more acid.
7. White Wine
There's nothing better than a glass of chilled white wine during the summer, or really anytime a year.
Wine is known for being acidic, but most people don't realize that white wine is more acidic than red wine. Depending on the brand and kind of white wine you drink, the pH ranges from 3.1 to 3.4.
8. Tequila
Tequila is one of the healthier liquors for you, but not when it comes to acidity. Both gold and silver tequila have an average pH of 3.2.
While this is pretty acidic, it may not be a big deal to you. But, keep in mind that when you drink margaritas, the mix is also incredibly acidic, which adds to the acid you're consuming.
READ MORE: 20+ Most & Least Acidic Juices
9. Sour Beer
I feel like this won't surprise anyone, but sour craft beers are acidic. I mean, they taste sour. Of course, they're acidic.
Of course, depending on the sour and what brewing company they come from, the pH will vary. But generally, sour beers have a pH of 3.2 to 3.5.
>Measuring pH levels isn't only for science and academic purposes. These days, many people buy pH meters to test the acidity of the foods they consume and the liquids they drinks. In addition, it is often done to ensure that you're consuming a primarily alkaline diet filled with low-acid foods. Here are the best pH meters on the market.
10. Vermouth
Red Vermouth 3.5 pH
Not many people know what vermouth is, but it's a fortified wine with pretty high acidity. This infused wine is delicious but has a pH of about 3.5.
11. Red Wine
Red wine may be less acidic than white wine, but it's still acidic. Similar to white wine, depending on the kind, red wine has a pH of 3.5 to 3.8.
So, if you're going based on acidity alone when choosing wine, you may want to go with a red and not a white next time.
12. Whiskey
I have some excellent news for whiskey lovers. It's still acidic alcohol, but it's not nearly as acidic as you may think.
It's hard to pinpoint the exact acidity of whiskey since there are hundreds of different whiskeys on the market, but you can expect your whiskey to have a pH of 3.6 to 4.7.
13. Cognac
This French liquor is either someone's favorite or least favorite. Since most people sip it straight, you don't need to worry about mixers affecting the pH of your drink. Cognac has a pH of 3.7 to 4.9.
14. Stout Beers
If you love craft breweries, you know you have a large selection of beer on the menu. Not all beers are created equal, and that rings true for their acidity levels.
Beers are acidic, but some more than others. For those who love a stout, their pH is generally around 3.8.
READ MORE: Is Beer Acidic? (Good or Bad for GERD?)
15. Vodka
Vodka is by far one of the most popular alcohols. It mixes well with pretty much everything, and you can infuse it with a bunch of different flavors.
Most vodka has a pH between 4 and 6, which puts it almost in the exact middle on the acidic side of the pH scale.
Keep in mind that since there are a ton of vodkas on the market with different flavors like lemon, strawberry, and others, the pH may be different from vodka to vodka.
16. Moonshine
Moonshine is not something most people are drawn to because it has an intense reputation of being very potent alcohol.
If you ever get the opportunity to try moonshine, you probably won't be drinking a lot of it anyway, so the acidity level may not be a huge deal for you. The pH of a lot of moonshines is around 4 to 4.5.
17. Scotch
Scotch 4.3 pH
If you love a glass of scotch, you'll be happy to know that it's acidic, but it could be a lot worse. Scotch has an average pH of 4.3, landing it right in the middle of the acidic side of the pH scale.
18. Brandy
Not many people drink brandy straight anymore, but it's a common ingredient in sangria. If you are drinking brandy straight from a glass at room temperature, the pH is approximately 4.4.
Now, if you're drinking sangria with brandy in it, it's going to be much more acidic because red wine is the main ingredient in sangria and is more acidic than brandy.
19. Lager Beers
Lagers are probably the most popular type of beer. They're delicious and easy to drink. Plus, almost every craft brewery has at least one lager on its menu.
Lagers are acidic, but they're not overly acidic. Lagers tend to have a pH of 4.4 to 4.7, which isn't too bad when you take into consideration all the other types of alcohol and their pH levels.
20. Pilsner Beers
If lagers aren't your speed, but you love a good Pilsner, these beers aren't overly acidic either. Originally from the Czech Republic, pilsners have become a widely popular type of beer around the world.
Most pilsners have a pH of 4.6, which means they're leaning closer to neutral compared to some other beers.
21. Rum
If you love a good rum drink, you'll be pleasantly surprised to learn that while rum is acidic, it's one of the least acidic drinks amongst the acidic drinks.
The pH for rum will depend on the brand as well as if it's dark or light rum.
But generally, you can expect the pH of rum to be around 4.8. What makes rum a more acidic drink is when you pair it with a soda such as Coke.
READ MORE: Why Does Water Give Me Heartburn?
22. IPA Beers
IPA 5.3 pH
India Pale Ales (IPAs) are another super popular type of craft beer. I don't know about you, but based on taste alone, I would've expected IPAs to be one of the most acidic types of alcohol.
There's just something about the hoppiness that screams acidic to me.
Well, much to my surprise, they're not. They're actually one of the least acidic since their pH is nearly neutral. Most IPAs will have a pH of 5.3.
23. Gin
Last but certainly not least, we have the least acidic alcohol on the list, Gin! Many people forget about gin because vodka is so popular. Gin generally doesn't even have an acidic pH.
The average pH of gin is 7, making it neutral. Of course, this may change slightly based on the brand of gin and what you mix it with.
