A hangover-free existence might soon be reality. And no, we’re not asking you to abandon your happy hour habit. Nearly three years ago, Imperial College London’s director of the neuropsychopharmacology unit—yep, that’s a mouthful—David Nutt, revealed his alcosynth project. Which roughly translates to this: booze without the toxins and day-after consequences.
In 2016, the professor and former government drug advisor told the Independent that he had patented nearly 90 intoxicating compounds without the usual hangover side effects like dry mouth, headaches, and nausea. And while he originally predicted the synthetic alcohol would replace traditional liquor by 2050, it’s coming a lot sooner than expected. According to the Guardian, the product could hit liquor shelves in five years.
“We’re allowed to try it whenever we want,” he told the outlet. “We tested a lot of possible compounds to try to find which are most likely to work. It would be dishonest to spend millions of pounds on something when you haven’t a clue if it does what you want.”
According to Food & Wine, Nutt first began exploring the concept in 2005 after researching how alcohol impacts brain receptors. And while he’s faced his fair share of skeptics, the inventor is moving forward. Alongside his business partners, Nutt’s working to raise $26 million and bring his idea—officially branded Alcarelle—to life.
Not only has he sampled the alcosynth himself, Nutt’s reportedly become an amateur mixologist. He pairs the substance with fruit juice to mask the, um, intense flavor. However, the team is also eager for professionals to take their own swing at serving the Alcarelle. “We think once we’re approved and on the market we are going to see an amazing and wonderful explosion of creativity,” Nutt’s business partner David Orren added. “The drinks industry employs really creative people.”
By
MEGAN SCHALTEGGER
Support Design & Fashion Magazine
$10.00
Design & Fashion Magazine 