I tried ‘dangerous' Buzzballz cocktails loved by Gen Z – just a couple would leave me on the floor
But experts warn the Instagram -worthy orbs are misleadingly boozy, with staggeringly high sugar and carb contents.
The snazzy cans are small enough to fit into a handbag and available for as little as £2.99.
However, nutritionist Rachael Gray warned the premixed beverages were 'the worst' drinks for your health that she had ever come across.
She told the Sun on Sunday: 'Drinks like these affect the body in all kinds of ways.
'They cause inflammation and dehydration and over time will damage the liver and eyesight.
'They look so appealing.
'You can see how they would appeal to children, which is really worrying.
'The carb and sugar content of these drinks is extremely high.
'For such a small drink, they are very alcoholic.
'That's dangerous as, if you are young, you might not think to look at the volume.
'They don't even look particularly like they're alcoholic.
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'They could easily be mistaken for an energy drink.'
BuzzBallz contain up to 288 calories and 26g of sugar per 200ml drink, making them among the least healthy on the market.
They are also a boozy 13.5 per cent proof — as strong as wine.
The sugar content, however, means it is much easier to knock them back.
There are seven flavours, including Tequila 'Rita, Chili Mango and Pornstar Martini, and their unique packaging makes them stand out on the supermarket shelves.
The cans are available at mainstream shops such as Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Asda, but are cheapest at Aldi, where they cost £2.99.
In the past year, sales have tripled due to their affordability and social media presence.
TikTok is full of 'before and after' videos demonstrating their effects.
One woman, who sank just two of the sugary blends, revealed: 'I have never had a hangover like that in my life.
'I was paralytic.'
Another claimed: 'I felt like I'd just drank gasoline.'
And a third said: 'I actually don't think those are fit for human consumption.'
Snow globe
Teacher Merrilee Kick, from Texas, came up with the idea for BuzzBallz while marking papers by the pool in the mid-2000s.
It was a baking hot day and the 62-year-old fancied a cocktail in a plastic container rather than a fragile glass.
Her inspirations for the eye-catching cans were the spherical shape of a snow globe and some tennis balls.
Merrilee, who has two adult sons, got a loan to finance her business and enlisted the help of her family to launch it.
BuzzBallz are now sold across the world and, in April 2024, the company was sold for around $500million.
Here, we taste test some of the flavours and hear from two women with very different opinions on the tipple.
Tequila 'Rita (18g sugar, 219 cals)
'This citrusy cocktail tastes like a toxic Sprite. It's refreshing, but gulp it too fast and it's in danger of taking the skin off the roof of your mouth.'
Strawberry 'Rita (18g sugar, 220 cals)
'I could easily neck the entire drink in less than a minute. It's sweet, potent and delicious. A few more of these and I will be on the floor'
Choc Tease (26g sugar, 279 cals)
'This tastes like a slightly low-rent Baileys. It's creamy, sweet and incredibly boozy. I just want to pour it into an ice-filled tumbler.'
'PERFECT FOR BEACH AND FESTIVALS'
COLLEGE student Izzy Lopez, 19, reckons BuzzBallz are the perfect boozy refresher on long, hot days.
Izzy, who lives in Ealing, London, and is studying IT, said: 'BuzzBallz are the must-have drink for Gen Z this summer, especially at festivals and on beach holidays, and they're easy to carry and drink.
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'The containers and colours are cool and you can pop them in your bag and enjoy one when you're out.
'I like the sweet taste and in some shops they're less than £3.
'It's a cool cost-of-living-beating cocktail for Gen Z.
'All my friends are talking about them.
'They evoke a sense of fun, they're great as a party starter and you can keep the balls afterwards for candle holders.
'They don't taste like alcohol but still give you a fun party buzz.
'My mum loves them too.
'We have a giggle because we're not really drinking we're 'buzzing'.'
'JUST TWO DRINKS KNOCKED ME OUT'
MUM-OF-TWO Cindy Powell knows all too well just how dangerous the drinks can be.
The 22-year-old said she was 'knocked out' by just a couple of cans at a family party.
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She explained: 'Just two hit me hard almost immediately.
'I was knocked out and slept for hours.
'What stunned me was how fast I felt the effect – I hadn't even been tired.
'I'm not a big drinker, but two small drinks having such a dramatic impact was scary.
'I woke up feeling dizzy and disoriented.
'Don't be fooled by fun names like Strawberry 'Rita or one looking like chocolate milk.
'Just because they look like toys, you still need to be safe.
'When I found out they had over 13 per cent alcohol, I was shocked.'
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