{"id":10839,"date":"2022-06-02T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rangeme.com\/blog\/?p=10839"},"modified":"2022-06-01T12:04:43","modified_gmt":"2022-06-01T20:04:43","slug":"non-alcoholic-drinks-are-coming-into-their-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rangeme.com\/blog\/non-alcoholic-drinks-are-coming-into-their-own\/","title":{"rendered":"Non-alcoholic Drinks Are Coming Into Their Own"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
It comes as a shock to no one more than myself that for the past two years I have, for the most part, been avoiding alcohol. But I have to admit, drinking soda as an alternative doesn\u2019t really appeal to me. Happily, there are other options afoot, from companies that have thought through every aspect of the beverage crafting process to create something non-alcoholic, yet upscale, that feels like a treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elevated drinking<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Graham Wasilition\u2019s company, Tennyson, has produced Black Ginger, made with botanicals but no alcohol. His goal, he says, was to provide an option for consumers looking for a high-end, elegant beverage they could sip, while not feeling out of place or short-changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe created a bold, sophisticated, layered beverage that you drink in two-ounce increments, over the rocks or make a cocktail out of,\u201d he says, adding that due to botanicals like dandelion, bergamot, and gentian root, his products are all better-for-you, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The product is largely designed for Millennials and Gen Z who, \u201cthink about everything they put on and in their body,\u201d Wasilition says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, he expects this to appeal to everyone, from those choosing not to consume alcohol because it\u2019s mid-week to abstainers. \u201cIt\u2019s the people who just want to push themselves to drink better. Our mission is to bring the fun lifestyle to that crossover person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Female-focused<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If Black Ginger skews towards a male consumer, it has a female-focused counterpart in beverages from Seattle-based Rock Grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This company offers three products, Rock Grace Sparkling, Ruby Reserve, and New Moon Release, which look like champagne and wine and are pink or sport pink labels. The products are all non-alcoholic, and are infused with botanicals, adaptogens, and crystals to provide health benefits; they\u2019re zero calorie and sugar free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anne Hulett launched Rock Grace in 2019 to meet the need for non-alcoholic beverages that feel a little more special. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a huge boom in non-alcoholic beverages,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s about having something special, in a special glass, and having that calming feeling.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ditto in the U.K.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The trend towards non-alcoholic beverages is happening both east and west of the Atlantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year London gin-maker Sipsmith launched its first non-alcoholic gin to meet a growing need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFreeGlider was painstakingly crafted over the past few years using [our] team\u2019s collective experience and passion for creating a delicious and perfectly-balanced non-alcoholic spirit,\u201d says Sarah Collis, distillery tour executive. \u201cMore conscious consumption is something we\u2019ve been witnessing and championing for a number of years now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with the American products, FreeGlider is aimed at anyone not wanting to drink, but most of all, Collis says, \u201cat people looking for an enjoyable and elevated sipping experience, whatever the occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the drink itself, she says, checks all the boxes. \u201cSipsmith FreeGlider is a credible substitute for the flavor sensation of spirits. Citrus harmonizes with juniper to ensure a perfectly balanced sip, with a hint of capsicum replicating the customary alcohol warmth, resulting in a full-flavored distilled spirit with the all-important mouthfeel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spritzing up spritz<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In July 2020, London-based Chris Wilfred Hughes launched Wilfred\u2019s, a bittersweet orange and rosemary spritz. \u201cI became increasingly frustrated by the uninspired, overly sweet and usually unhealthy non-alcoholic options available \u2026 so started my quest to reinvent a drink for the new era of drinkers, a drink that captured all the complexity of the greats but without the alcohol,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was mainly targeting \u201cthe discerning drinker who likes a delicious cocktail full of complexity without taking themselves too seriously.\u201d As for the drink, he says, \u201cflavor, quality and complexity were of the utmost importance, and this mindset led to over 18 months of experimentation and more than 100 unique recipes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No passing fad<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The trend towards alcohol-free is driven largely by younger consumers, says Richard Hall, chairman of Zenith Global, food and drink experts in Bath, England. \u201cYounger people are starting later and are not going through a binge phase as much as previous generations. Social media, social pressure, social acceptability, cost and COVID are all recent factors contributing to this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the market conditions are certainly helping, he adds. \u201cInnovation in no- and low-alcohol products \u2026 is the other key dynamic. These products used to be a sacrifice or compromise. Now there are hundreds of excellent choices. At the moment, the mission is to mimic. In time, innovation will branch out more into new concepts and greater functionality, with sustainability, wellness and society contribution more embedded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe trend of non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails is definitely a positive trend,\u201d says Darren Tristano, CEO of consulting firm Foodservice Results, Chicago, Ill., \u201cWith all the people who are non-drinkers or alcoholics on the wagon or someone underage, it\u2019s a nice way to build inclusion into an occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RangeMe supports the non-alcoholic industry<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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