We former “little rascals” recall covering our tracks by refilling the vodka bottle with water—a white lie to stay out of trouble. Places worldwide commit similar acts of deceit, ironically called “adulterating” alcohol, watering down bottles at bars or even filling empty pricey bottles with a lesser product.
A sleuth-like imbiber may taste or smell the difference, but most victims in these scenarios are none the wiser. They either don’t get the buzz they were after or experience worse-than-expected hangovers. This crime—it’s in fact criminal—doesn’t carry a weighty health risk for the victim, but other alcohol tampering tactics do.
