A non-spirit ingredient, like wine, soda, or juice, used to “lengthen” a cocktail — meaning to make it lighter in alcohol, larger in volume, and easier to sip over time. A lengthener stretches strong base spirits into a more refreshing, sessionable drink without overpowering the flavor.
Example: In a spritzer, white wine acts as the lengthener to a small splash of liqueur or bitters.
TL:DR – A fancy name for the stuff that stretches your cocktail out and makes it easier to sip for a while. Think wine in a spritzer or club soda in a highball — lighter, bigger, and built for hanging out.
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