It was predicted to be one of the key trends for 2020, and it seems that this prediction has come to fruition as drinks with no or lower alcohol are proving to be the life and soul of the party so far this year.
According to a recent report by the Portman Group, almost a quarter (23%) of those who drink alcohol said that they had or were likely to consider switching some of their drinking to lower alcoholic options in the next six months.
This is a trend being fuelled by younger drinkers, with one in ten (9%) 18-24 year olds saying that they had already switched their drinking to lower alcohol options.
Consumers are embracing this trend for many reasons – including the associated health benefits, lower-calorie choices available, and the rising interest in mindful drinking.
The good news is this increase in demand means there’s no shortage of options when it comes to high quality, lower strength alternatives. Here, we take a look at some of the brands offering excellent, lower-alcohol or alcohol-free substitutes. Cheers!
Sipling was founded by “dinner party mixologist” Avnish Babla, who always loved to entertain friends and family, and experiment with new, innovative cocktail ideas.
However, when he became an expectant father, Avnish wanted a healthier lifestyle, but soon discovered there was a limited choice of non-alcoholic drinks that weren’t overly sweetened or artificially flavoured. In response, he turned his passion for cocktails into a mission to reinvent their alcohol-free namesakes.
After a year of meticulous product development with the support of an award-winning beverage developer, Avnish crafted a range of natural, alcohol-free, ready-to-drink cocktails – and the Sipling Beverage Company was created.
Now, from a G&T, Mojito or Moscow Mule to an Old Cuban, Spiced Rum & Cola or a Bellini, Sipling brings the sophisticated flavours of the finest cocktails to more people on more occasions – young and old. Drinkers and abstainers.
Lucky Saint is a 0.5% superior unfiltered lager, with all the flavour and body of a full-strength beer, without the alcohol.
The founder, Luke Boase, wanted to change how the world thought about alcohol-free beer, from the perception to the product and experience. He shared the idea of an alcohol-free beer worth drinking with some industry folk and they told him it was impossible!
Not to be beaten, he immersed himself in the science of brewing and after a series of chance events, found a brewer that shared his values and vision. A year of development followed until finally, they landed on a style and flavour that was, and still is, a first for an alcohol-free beer!
Caleño is a gin-inspired, non-alcoholic free spirit inspired by Colombia.
Out one night with friends, dancing to the sounds of Latin funk, founder Ellie was frustrated by the lack of exciting and adventurous alcohol-free options. She began experimenting with botanicals in her kitchen and inspired by Colombia’s colourful, energetic, and vibrant culture combined with her own bright and zesty tropical free-spirit, Caleño was born!
Conjured through a ballooning vapour of infused botanicals and steam-distilled in batches in stainless steel drums, beating at its heart is the wild, golden South American Inca berry.
Binary Botanical is a superior table beer, unlike any beer you have tasted before. Its tropical aroma, prosecco-like taste, and clean finish come from the infusion with organic hop leaves and choice of wine yeast. It is a flavourful beer brewed to be enjoyed with food!
The inspiration for binary came from the founders’ shared frustration of wanting a moderate alcoholic beverage – yet not enjoying the traditional bitter taste of beer. They are unapologetic about their geeky approach to the technical aspects of their product and apply exceptional quality standards with complete adherence to the more complex recipe.
binary has been brewed to democratise refreshment and moderation; a beer that everyone can enjoy. We certainly do!
Catching waves until dusk. Camping on cliff tops and foraging hedgerows for unexpected bounty. Sharing and experimenting with the flavours found on the coast, Alistair Frost, the founder of Pentire, wanted to bottle that experience, and create a drink that harnesses the power, beauty, and immense flavours of plants.
Founded on a love for coastal living, Pentire is made by distilling unique plants native to the Cornish coastline. Key botanicals thrive here due to a combination of favourable climate, soil pH, and air moisture.
Through research and experimentation with local botanists, distillers, and brewers, Pentire have created non-alcoholic spirits that capture these flavours through careful distillation. Even better, they are committed to sourcing responsibly and where possible, use Fair Trade & Organically Certified ingredients.
A stylish, sociable alternative, STRYYK is a range of non-alcoholic spirits for the next generation of partygoers.
In 2004 Britain reached peak alcohol consumption. Social media was kicking off and STRYYK’s founders were starting to realise the days of drinking and dancing like no one’s watching were over. The desire to go out and have fun hadn’t left them, but the desire not to feel awful the next day had.
The issue? Everything else on offer meant compromising on something important.
Having founded Funkin Cocktails, Alex Carlton had experience in the drink trade, so set about fixing the problem. After years of development and taste tests, he launched STRYYK and the first two drinks: Not Gin and Not Rum in 2018, closely followed by Not Vodka.
Created to act just like their alcoholic spirit counterparts and swap easily into your existing favourite drinks, like a Not Rum Mojito or Not Gin & tonic, they’re non-alcoholic spirits that let you enjoy your night without compromising on taste or experience, whilst meaning you can easily avoid sugary, calorific soft drinks. Cheers!
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