Drink Responsibly
Padre uses fresh strawberries and lemon and organic Mexican agave aqua vitae ($ 5.95 ).
The menu at Honey Elixir Bar in Denver , CO , features “ creatively curated ‘ elixirs ’ for all types of drinkers ,” according to its website , offering a plethora of low- and high-ABV cocktails and mocktails for customers . The bar ’ s low-ABV cocktails are made with jun , which is an ancient brew fermented with green tea and honey . Blended with jun , the Ling ’ s Ecstasy ($ 12 ) combines sassafras , ashwagandha , tribulus , damiana and saw palmetto .
Alongside the diverse drink options , mocktail and dry bars are now popping up all over the U . S . Take AltBar in Rochester , NY , for example , which boasts “ a non-alcoholic experience ” on its website . AltBar ’ s Old Fashioned , made with Monday zero-proof whiskey , bitters , a sugar cube and a smoked orange peel has all the same ingredients a traditional Old Fashioned would have , just without the alcohol .
The spirit-free Old Fashioned at AltBar in Rochester , NY , made with Monday zero-proof whiskey , bitters , a sugar cube and a smoked orange peel .
Non-alcoholic beers Athletic Brewing Co . are customer favorites for several retailers .
MAKING SHELF SPACE
The growing interest in no- and low-alcohol cocktails has wine and liquor stores making room on their shelves for zero-proof beverages . The NA category in particular has been gaining traction at Wilbur ’ s Total Beverage in Fort Collins , CO , says general manager Mat Dinsmore .
“ It ’ s a category that has continuously been increasing over the last five years or so , and we ’ re seeing many different products come out ,” he says . “ Seedlip was first to market and continues to thrive . There are some NA wines like Chateau Diana that are very popular .”
Dinsmore also cites newer offerings , such as RTD fourpacks with a diverse mix of products . “ It ’ s a nice substitute for consumers who want a drink but have other things to do that night or the next day and don ’ t want a hangover .”
Chan Cox , owner of Chan ’ s Wine World & Spirits , also sees the no- and low-alcohol sector as one of the fastest-growing categories in the industry . “ This is being reflected in our sales as new products are being brought in and gaining traction ,” he says . “ Consumers are more likely to try new items , simply because there has been a lack of options in the category .”
The market previously consisted of low-quality products that lacked diversity and taste , Cox explains . But just within the past year , the Destin , FLbased Wine World has built the category with more than 20 new SKUs .
Popular no- and low-alcohol beverages at Chan ’ s Wine World & Spirits include Waterbrook Clean Wines , Joyus , Parch Spirits Co ., Per Se , Lyres and CleanCo . “ Almost all new NA products have been successful . Even products that did not do as well still were purchased out ,” Cox says .
In terms of alcohol-free beer , Athletic Brewing Co . appears to be a fan favorite . Not only is it a staple for both Dinsmore and Cox , but it was also named a Top 5 Non-Alcoholic Beer Brand by Visitor , The Best Alcohol Free Craft Beer by Liquor . com and a top contender for Food Network ’ s Best Non-Alcoholic Beers . The list goes on .
“ Guinness is also pretty good ,” Dinsmore says of the beer brand ’ s nonalcoholic option , which hit the market in 2021 . He also praises Heineken 0.0 , launched in 2019 , not only for the product , but the marketing behind it as well .
FUN AND FUNCTIONAL
Since most consumers are new to the no- and low-alcohol beverages market , they don ’ t know what ’ s good or what they should buy . Sèchey employees aim to help each customer navigate the spiritless aisles , Heintz says .
“ Most consumers are looking for something that replicates the feeling that alcohol gives them or to replicate their favorite beverage ,” she notes . “ Typically what we do when someone walks in is ask them what they like to drink , and most popular brands have something that ’ s similar .”
Aside from the zero-proof drinks that Heintz can lead the customers to , if the shopper is looking to replicate the feeling that alcohol gives them , she will direct them to the functional beverages .
Food Research International defines functional beverages as “ any nonalcoholic drink that provides additional health benefits due to the inclusion of any bioactive component from a plant , animal , marine or microorganism source .”
The bioactive ingredients in functional beverages can include phenolic compounds , minerals , vitamins , amino acids , peptides , un-
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