If you need further evidence that younger people aren ’ t drinking as much these days , a new nationwide survey conducted by DatingNews . com found that 81 % of Gen Z and Millennials have been on a dry date this year , and nearly two in three prefer alcohol-free dates . What ’ s more , of those who haven ’ t tried dry dating yet , 75 % are willing to give it a try .

Sobriety has become a more popular lifestyle , with one in three Millennials and Gen Zers saying they don ’ t drink alcohol at all . Another survey , conducted by retail purchase data provider NCSolutions , revealed that 41 % of all Americans plan to drink less in 2024 , up from 34 % the year before . And market research and consulting firm InsightAce Analytic predicts the global low- and no-alcohol beverage market size to reach nearly $ 40 billion 2031 .

So if you ’ re retailer , make sure you have a robust nonalcoholic offering , from spirit-free spirits and high-end mixers to no-ABV beers , wines and readyto-drink products . You ’ ll also want to stock low-ABV products for the customers looking to reduce their intake of alcohol .

For on-premise operators , a high-quality selection of spirit-free drinks has become a necessity . Not only are some guests not drinking at all , there ’ s a trend of “ zebra striping ,” or alternating between alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks as a way of moderating on a night out .

As Emily Heintz , founder of the Charleston , SC-based alcohol-free spirits , wine and beer retailer Sèchey , points out in “ Spiritless Beverages : The New Wellness Trend ” ( see page 6 ), “ The non-alcoholic industry is simply not a trend — it ’ s a societal shift .” Consumer now seek different options to celebrate , socialize and connect as adults without alcohol , she says .

On- and off-premise operators need to be prepared to meet customers where they are . This special supplement aims to help with content such as what ’ s new in no- / low-alcohol beverage products , how restaurant have increased their NA offerings , and the rise in functional beverages .

We also talk to Robert Hall , the newly appointed chair of Responsibility . org , and executive director Leslie Kimball , about the organization ’ s works to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking , while promoting responsible decision-making . And we wrap up with a selection of mocktail recipes to offer or inspire the customers are abstaining from alcohol for whatever reason .

3 EDITORS NOTE

4 INTERVIEW : ROBERT HALL AND LESLIE KIMBALL OF RESPONSIBILITY . ORG

6 SPIRITLESS BEVERAGES : THE NEW WELLNESS TREND

9 DEMAND FOR ALCOHOL-FREE OPTIONS KEEPS CLIMBING

11 NEW NO- / LOW-ALCOHOL BEVERAGES

Melissa Dowling Editor

12 NO-OCTANE OPTIONS

Drink Responsibly 2024 3