The Risks of BORG: Understanding the Dangerous Trend Among Gen Z
Discover the rising trend of BORG, also known as 'blackout rage gallon,' among college students. Learn from an expert why indulging in this popular mixed drink can pose serious risks to your well-being during parties.
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If you haven't seen someone drinking a BORG at a recent party, chances are you're not hanging out with college students.
If you're scratching your head trying to understand that sentence, chances are you're not part of Generation Z.
According to the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, DC, the acronym BORG stands for "blackout rage gallon." This term refers to a mix usually made in a gallon-sized plastic jug, containing vodka or another type of distilled alcohol, water, a flavor enhancer, and an electrolyte powder or drink. BORGs are commonly consumed at outdoor day parties, also known as darties.
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The new version of jungle juice
A BORG drink contains a high amount of alcohol, which can be dangerous and lead to alcohol poisoning, according to Dr. Anna Lembke, a professor at Stanford University in California.
Sabrina Grimaldi, the creator and editor-in-chief of online lifestyle magazine The Zillennial Zine, describes the large-batch drink as the new version of jungle juice. The publication is aimed at the micro-generation between millennials and Gen Z.
Instead of making a large batch of mixed drinks in a massive 5-gallon drink dispenser or a giant storage tub, people now prefer to have their own personal drink. According to Grimaldi, who wrote to CNN via email, the trend is to avoid making jungle juice in a sink or bathtub. The drink, as its name implies, is meant to make you very intoxicated.
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What Lembke calls the BORG’s “social contagion factor” makes it even more dangerous.
"Kids often see their peers engaging in binge drinking and feel tempted to try it themselves," she explained. "This is a serious concern as it can lead to normalizing risky behavior by sharing it on social media."
Grimaldi, who is 24 years old, was introduced to BORGs earlier this year by her editorial intern, Kelly Xiong, who is 21. Kelly pitched a story on why BORGs are popular among Gen Zers.
Grimaldi shared, "I graduated from college in 2020, so it's been nearly 5 years since I've been part of the college party scene, especially due to the pandemic. Despite being close in age, it's fascinating how these microtrends emerge."
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Xiong, who just graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, first learned about BORGs during her sophomore year at college.
During a St. Patrick's Day block party, almost everyone had their own BORG, a popular drink at big outdoor day parties or special occasion gatherings.
The origins of the term BORG are hard to pinpoint, but they have caught attention in the news. In March 2023, over two dozen University of Massachusetts Amherst students, many with BORGS in hand, had to be taken away by ambulance after an off-campus event.
High school students are drinking BORGs
The trend is not limited to the college demographic.
At the high school senior class pool party last year and this year, Virginia, 18, a senior at a private high school in Tampa, Florida, mentioned that "everyone made their own BORG." She preferred not to disclose her real name to maintain privacy.
Virginia shared that one of the reasons she finds BORGs appealing is the social aspect. "You have to come up with a name for your BORG and show your creativity by writing it on with a Sharpie," she explained.
On TikTok, you can find BORG posts featuring gallon jugs with clever names like Captain Borgan, Our Borg and Savior, Borgan Donor, and Borgan Wallen.
According to Lembke, considering these factors is crucial because BORGs have the potential to be harmful to individuals who see them as a popular party beverage.
Virginia understands the risks of drinking BORGs. She mentioned that many people tend to pour vodka without measuring, which can be more dangerous compared to drinking a known quantity of beer. She added, "Nobody is really keeping track of how much they are consuming."
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That’s true even if the person is 21, the legal age to drink in the United States, or older.
In the US, a standard drink typically contains 1 to 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer, as stated by the National Institutes of Health. Exceeding four standard drinks for females (or five for males) within a two-hour period is considered binge drinking, according to the NIH.
Dr. Lembke pointed out that a BORG often consists of a fifth (25.6 fluid ounces or 3.2 cups) of vodka or other hard alcohol, which is roughly equivalent to 17 standard drinks. This amount of alcohol is considered massive and potentially harmful.
Drinking alcohol is not good for your health. Recent studies have shown that even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful. In fact, the World Heart Federation stated in a policy brief in 2022 that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption for health. It's best to avoid alcohol altogether.
If you choose to drink, experts advise moderation. According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, women should limit to 3 ounces of alcohol per day, while men should limit to 4 ounces. It is also recommended not to make drinking a regular habit.
The liver can process about 1 ounce of alcohol per hour, which is equivalent to one standard drink. However, drinking a BORG "totally overwhelms the capacity of the liver to metabolize it," especially for those who are not tolerant to alcohol, as mentioned by Lembke.
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She pointed out that BORGS, which are typically sweetened with electrolyte drinks or water flavor enhancers, can be even more harmful.
"It makes the taste more enjoyable, so people can usually drink more compared to straight vodka," she explained. "However, this doesn't mean the liver can process alcohol faster."
Terry Ward, a freelance journalist from Florida, resides in Tampa.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the concerning trend of "BORGs" (blackout rage gallons) among Generation Z, particularly in college and high school settings. These large-batch alcoholic beverages, typically containing vodka, water, flavoring, and electrolytes, pose significant health risks due to their high alcohol content. BORGs have become a social phenomenon, with their popularity attributed to creativity and a desire to avoid traditional jungle juice consumption methods. However, the social contagion factor and lack of awareness about responsible drinking practices among
