There is generally thought to be no prohibition against herbal tea, hot chocolate, or malt drinks such as Ovaltine or Milo.

British malt drinks have become closely associated with breakfast in Hong Kong.

Supermalt (non-alcoholic malt drink with Vitamin B)

"It was malta," Mr. Santiago said dismissively, cringing at the notion that sipping a malt drink with one-half of 1 percent alcohol could violate any law.

It must be called malt drink (in German: Malztrunk).

It was named after the ingredient of malt liquor-energy drinks such as sparks, tilt, and core.

In urban areas drinks may include cocoa drinks, fresh coconuts, yogurt, ice cream, carbonated drinks, malt drinks and soy milk.

There was no evidence, it said, that big marketers targeted under-age consumers when advertising flavored malt drinks like Smirnoff Ice and Bacardi Silver.

In place of your glass of wine in the evening, opt for low-calorie soft drinks, malt drinks, tea, coffee or hot chocolate made with lower-fat milk.

"Substitute products have been growing," she said, noting that malt drinks are among them.