Are alcohol-free beverages the new trend in the drinking game?

While it’s true that there are more and more non-alcoholic drinks on every menu of any restaurant nowadays, this trend seems to be increasing. But why? Because it wasn’t long ago that this general rule applied to almost everybody, if someone ordered a non-alcoholic wine, for example, this would have been discreet. But the truth is that this new trend is in full bloom lately, even before the pandemic. And more than that, there are new no-alcohol bars that prepare alternative beverages, popping up all around the world. Zero alcohol options have become more popular even among big companies like Molson Coors or Heineken, but also in alternative brands that make craft beers, liquors, and other drinks – now without alcohol.

Zero alcohol options have become more popular even among big companies like Molson Coors or Heineken, but also in alternative brands that make craft beers, liquors, and other drinks – now without alcohol. What’s more, small independent bars and restaurants are adopting this strategy to go with the new trend and offer customers more options concerning even zero alcohol spirits. However, the market is still shy compared to the market of normal alcoholic drinks although we’re starting to see a balance between them. According to a CNN report, US retail sales of zero alcohol beverages have grown 116% in the last year and traditional beer sales for example fell 4%, and the total alcoholic wine sales declining also by 6%. It is clear that there’s a growing interest in non-alcoholic drinks and brands are pushed to innovate and deliver products that are non-conventional to more conscious consumers. Plus, the market has the power to grow and come up with new products. Especially since people still want to go out, but they intend to drink less nowadays. 

Demand for zero alcohol 

This has been mostly created and driven by the new generation of young people who consume less alcohol and are more interested in socializing without beverages. Along with these customers, there are ongoing global trends like ‘dry January that invite people to abstain from consuming alcohol, so they are looking for alternatives. Other reasons include avoiding a hangover, discussing with friends but without getting wasted, and the impact alcohol might have on one’s physical and mental health. It’s important for them to feel included and not with a challenging need or demand, but the idea of gathering with friends is more important than consuming alcohol, that’s why there is a new need of creating drinks that are tailor-made to respect all lifestyles and personalities.

More alternatives also need to be at the same standard levels that the alcoholic beverages are made today, for example, if we talk about craft beer. The good news is that zero alcohol can also be crafted and unique with the help of technology. On the other hand, there are also more costs involved, since these new innovations and alternative beverages demand more costs to be made and are not always available or cheap to customers to buy, especially since customers now have to deal with inflation which has made all prices increase through the roof. On Amazon, you can find non-alcoholic wines that are priced up to $30, which not a lot of people are ready to spend on a drink. However, these new drinks and new independent brands are putting in effort and quality so the prices might be accurate and some consumers might be willing to pay for a no-alcohol craft beer once in a while.