Popular Non-Alcoholic Beverage Trends

With January only 1 month away, many people will start thinking about how they’ll tackle dry January. Luckily for them, there are an array of non-alcoholic options available in supermarkets, bars, cafes and clubs worldwide. 

Demand for these drinks has expanded rapidly in recent years due to a rise in the health-conscious consumer, with the non-alcoholic beverage market worth $1,888.57 bn, forecast to grow at 6.2% CAGR during 2022-2028.

If you need some non-alcoholic inspiration, here are 4 trends that are taking the industry by storm. 

Non alcoholic beverage trends include:

1. Mocktails 
2. Craft beer 
3. Sparkling tonic
4. Bubble tea 

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1.Mocktails

A mocktail is a cocktail-style beverage made without alcoholic ingredients, hence the word ‘mock’. What was once only enjoyed at parties and festive occasions, is now one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages on the market. In fact, mocktails so popular that they can now be found at almost all hotels, restaurants, pubs and clubs across the world. Mocktails are a great option for those who choose to not drink alcohol yet still want to get into the spirit of an event or a party, luckily without the hangover the next morning. 

Mocktails contain a variety of ingredients which help to create a versatile blend of flavours, like those you would find in a cocktail, and virtually anything can be added to a mocktail. We’re talking mint leaves, sugar, fruit, milk, salt, syrup, honey, milk, even jalapenos or chillies! 

2. Beer 

Non-alcoholic beer has started to experience a cultural shift in America, mostly driven by groups who desire to live a healthier lifestyle, such as Gen Zers and millennials.  What’s more, non-alcohol beer is predicted to dominate one fifth of the US beer market by the end of this year.

According to a recent poll from Morning Consult, fifteen percent of Americans reported they abstained from alcohol in January 2021. But even so, in the months after January, Americans have been cutting back on alcohol consumption. As a result, non-alcoholic beer has become one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages out there for those looking to cut back on their drinking, or for those aiming for a healthier lifestyle.

3. Sparkling Tonic

Another popular growing trend in the world of beverage consumption is sparkling tonic - a  type of soda water. The global tonic water market is projected to increase at an annual growth rate of 7.1 percent during the period: 2020 to 2025. 

While most often used in alcoholic mixed drinks, it's also enjoyable on its own when poured over ice. 

Diet tonic water is gaining increasing acceptance among consumers, due to its lower sugar content. Companies are also bringing in new naturally flavoured options, which will cater to consumers’ specific health needs and taste factors.

4. Bubble Tea

Bubble teas are refreshing fruit or milk drinks that can be served hot or cold, with added signature “bubbles” which sit at the bottom. It’s fair to say that bubble tea as a beverage has exploded in popularity in the UK following its introduction from south-east Asia. The bubble tea trend is so big, its market value is expected to grow from $2.4 billion in 2019 to a gigantic $4.3 billion by 2027.

The Benefits of Non-alcoholic Beverages

There are countless reasons why you might make the switch to non-alcoholic beverages, from health to weight loss to affordability reasons. 

Some of the benefits of drinking non-alcoholic beverages are:

1. It helps with weight loss
2. It’s better for your overall health
3. It’s great if you’re pregnant
4. It’s natural 
5. It keeps your mood up 
6. It can be a much cheaper alternative

1. It Helps With Weight Loss

First and foremost, cutting out or cutting down on alcohol will help you cut back on the calories without missing out on all the fun. Did you know a standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a bar of chocolate, a pint of lager has about the same number of calories as a packet of crisps, and some cocktails as much as a full meal? So, when looking to lose weight, it’s not just about what you're consuming in terms of food, but drinks also. 

If you want some seriously disturbing stats, consuming 4 bottles of wine a month results in a yearly consumption of around 27,000kcal, the equivalent of eating 48 Big Macs a year. Drinking 5 pints of lager each week adds up to 44,200kcal over a year, the equivalent of eating 221 doughnuts. Figures like this make you stop and think about what you’re putting into your body. 

This is where non-alcoholic drinks come into play as they typically contain much fewer calories and often less sugar than the standard alcoholic alternatives. Fewer calories consumed = less weight put on. 

2. It’s Better for Your Overall Health

Not only does switching to non-alcoholic beverages help you control your weight, it is also typically a much healthier option in comparison to alcohol. 

Firstly, the overconsumption of alcohol leads to intoxication and increases the risk of injury and accidents. Regular, heavy drinking may also affect your mental health over time, as heavy drinking impedes with chemicals in the brain that are vital for good mental health. So while you might feel relaxed and confident after a few drinks, in the long run, alcohol can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress and depression.

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious health issues such as cancer, memory problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, common cold/flu and may result in alcohol use disorders/ dependence. 

Instead, drinking non-alcoholic beverages such as beer, bubble tea or gin can reduce your risk of these problems and can in fact bring a number of health benefits. Many non-alcoholic drinks, such as bubble tea, also contain no or reduced gluten, great for those with gluten intolerances and sensitive stomachs. 

3. It’s Great if You’re Pregnant

Alcohol is an absolute no-go when pregnant. Even a small amount can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and block the development of a baby’s brain. But we get it,  9 months plus the months of breastfeeding is a long time to go without any alcohol. This is why non-alcoholic drinks such as beer or tonic water are a great alternative when you crave a sip of your favourite alcohol but can’t have it. 

Other alternatives such as bubble tea is also fine to drink when pregnant, provided that it is made with pasteurised juice or milk. Learn more about bubble tea and pregnancy here. 

4. It’s Natural 

Most alcohol-free craft beers are made using the same four natural ingredients brewers have used for thousands of years: yeast, hops, water and malt. This means most alcohol-free beers are natural products, unlike the many alcohol-free alternatives that contain artificial sweeteners, additives and god knows what else. 

5. It Keeps Your Mood Up

Sipping on a tasty, guilt-free drink is no-doubt a fantastic way to boost your mood, but the science goes much deeper than that. Like we touched on earlier, drinking alcohol disrupts the brain’s hormonal balance, initially causing a spike — and then a harsh plummet. 

This is what leads to the painful “hangxiety” and depression that haunts us after a night of heavy drinking. Alcohol has such a profound impact on this system that it can even make antidepressants less effective. 

Switching regular beverages for 0% ABV ones can help keep your mood balanced and much happier in everyday life. 

6. It Can Be a Cheaper Alternative

While some non-alcoholic drinks are sold at a similar price to those that are alcoholic, it is very rare they are ever more. 

Also, once you’re intoxicated and feeling rather drunk, the alcohol prevents the brain's ability to spawn associated thoughts, which is why you might want to buy even more alcohol. This vicious cycle is why most of us wake up after a night out and dread checking our bank balance. This wouldn’t be the case if we were drinking non-alcoholic alternatives.

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