Health : Whip it: Alcoholic whipped cream product could replace novelty of Four Loko
As liquor boards in states across the country move to ban Four Loko and other alcohol-caffeine combination drinks, a new product that has the potential to make a hit on college campuses is hitting shelves: alcoholic whipped cream.
Whipped Lightning introduced a product called Whipahol, which combines whipped cream with 16 to 18 percent alcohol, depending on the flavor. It is marketed on the website as a topping for desserts and frozen drinks.
The alcohol content equals about three beers for an entire canister, according to Time.com.
The product is not considered a food product and therefore is not subject to fit Food and Drug Administration regulations, according to Whipped Lightning’s website.
The product, although marketed as whipped cream, does not need to be refrigerated, according to the website. It recommends not chilling the product to avoid the cream and alcohol from separating.
Whipahol is currently available to be freely purchased in only 12 states, and New York is not one of them. Three other states offer it on special order. One canister of whipped cream is marketed for $9.99. The distributor, Maple Grove Products, is based out of Atlanta, Ga., one of the 12 states that allows for distribution.
Jason Fraser, a senior information studies and technology major, first heard about Whipahol when he read about it in the newspaper. He said the new specialty alcohol reminded him of Four Loko right away.
‘When I heard about it, I thought it must be taking over for Four Loko,’ Fraser said.
Although Fraser said he would not try the product, he could see it becoming popular with Syracuse University students because of the allure of trying something new and the popularity of Four Loko on campus.
‘I could really see it coming up in the market,’ he said.
Rosa Guambana, a junior international relations major, said she thinks the drink is targeted at females and thinks males will be embarrassed to use it. This could keep it from gaining the same popularity as Four Loko, she said.
If Four Loko became popular on campus, then Whipahol can, too, said Dayhana Olivo, a senior psychology major. Olivo said she expected Whipahol to have a lower percent alcohol than Four Loko, but Four Loko has an alcohol percentage of 12.
Because the alcoholic whipped cream is so different from the fruity caffeinated alcoholic beverage, Olivo said she does not see Whipahol having the same effect. But Whipahol could be used in liquor drinks that already use cream, she said.
‘I don’t think that’s that bad,’ Olivo said. ‘It’s just like an accessory to add to your drink.’
Published on December 6, 2010 at 12:00 pm
