Palcohol – powdered alcohol – is a new American product that can be sprinkled on all sorts of dishes and drinks. According to the company’s website, Palcohol is the brainchild of Mark Phillips, a physically active guy who was tired of lugging heavy bottles of alcohol during his adventures. So he decided to create instant alcohol – just open the sachet, add some water and get a strong drink to enjoy whenever and wherever he wanted.
Initially, Mark did search for powdered alcohol on the market, but it wasn’t available. So he got together with scientists from around the world and spent years in experiments, research and consultation. Finally, he succeeded in making powdered alcohol a reality, and called it Palcohol. “Now Palcohol is here,” declared the website. “A great convenience for a person on the go. One package weighs about an ounce and is small enough to fit into any pocket.” The product is now privately owned by a company called Lipsmark.
The company does insist that Palcohol is not just for sportspersons. “Palcohol can be transported in your luggage without the fear of bottles breaking. In any situation where weight and breakage is an issue, Palcohol provides the answer. That’s why we say: ‘Take your Pal wherever you go!’” The product’s promotional material also stated: “What’s worse than going to a concert, sporting event, etc. and having to pay $10, $15, $20 for a mixed drink with tax and tip. Take Palcohol into the venue and enjoy a mixed drink for a fraction of the cost.” Such claims were taken off the site after news of the invention went viral
The website tells us more about the product – adding five ounces of liquid to one packet of Palcohol creates a standard mixed drink. It will be available in six flavors – two standard and four cocktail versions. The standard versions are ‘V’ (powder made from premium vodka distilled four times) and ‘R’ (made from premium Puerto Rican rum). The cocktail versions include Cosmopolitan, Mojito, Powderita (tastes just like a Margarita) and Lemon Drop. All you need to do is add water for an instant cocktail.
Palcohol is not yet available on the US market. The product was only just approved for sale by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The decision was made public only days ago through a press release. Funnily, the company didn’t even expect to get approved and they only realized it had actually happened after reading the press release. Since then, they’ve been frantically changing their promotional material to make it sound more serious and professional. The website now states that Palcohol will be available from September only to buyers of legal drinking age. It can be purchased in the United States or online.
Previously, the website encouraged people to add Palcohol to their food rather freely, for an extra kick. “Some of our favorites are the Kamikaze in guacamole, Rum on a BBQ sandwich, Cosmo on a salad and Vodka on eggs in the morning to your day off right. Remember, you have to add Palcohol AFTER a dish is cooked as the alcohol will burn off if you cook with it and that defeats the whole purpose.” But ever since the legal nod, the website’s wordings have been changed. “As Palcohol is a new product, we have yet to understand its potential of being added to food. As always, please use it responsibly. Because it adds alcohol to the dish, do not serve the dish to minors,” the website now reads.
The company is also going out if its way to discourage people from snorting the powder. “We have seen comments from goofballs who want to snort it,” they wrote. “Don’t do it! It is not a responsible or smart way to use the product. To take precautions against this action, we’ve added volume to the powder so it would take more than half a cup of powder to get the equivalent of one drink up your nose. You would feel a lot of pain for very little gain. Just use it the right way.”
“When Palcohol is available, use it responsibly and legally,” the company insists.
