So you have finished your Dry July spell and are ready to resume your usual drinking rituals. But maybe you are also considering incorporating some of those tasty non-alcohol alternatives into your weekly beverage consumption?
As a food tour operator we are receiving more requests for no-alcohol drinks to pair with our set- menu format. And it is not always for religious reasons - like in the past - it’'s more than often to do with healthier attitudes towards alcohol intake or guests wanting to pace their drinking over the course of a long trip away.
Thankfully most bars and restaurants now stock some wonderful options including: Lyres who craft their spirits to taste just like the classics they pay homage to. Sourcing the finest all natural essences, extracts and distillates from the four corners of the globe; NON who work with both local and international farmers and suppliers to create complex flavours in celebration of the best ingredients at their distillery located in Victoria, Australia.
We first discovered some great mixed boxes of no-alcohol brands during the second Sydney lock-down, when we realised that if we continued to consume booze the way we did in Lockdown One it would all end in tears!
Our first online order came from Kill Joy in Melbourne which was founded by Kat, who came up with the idea of creating a no-alcohol wholesale business when she swore off booze for an entire year. She couldn’t find many interesting or tasty alternatives to drink so started researching what else was available on the wider market. The sassy brand believes you shouldn’t have to feel bad for not drinking alcohol and you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your taste buds either.
Later we found Craft Zero - or maybe their algorithm found us - a Sydney based business founded by friends who were tired of turning up at parties (pre-COVID) with a bottle of soft drink, instead a stylish and more adult-looking bottle of wine.
You can also now pick-up zero alcohol brands at the local supermarket with Plus + Minus and Funky Monkey available at competitive prices in key merchandising spots. As non-alcoholic beverages have become increasingly popular in Australia in recent years, driven by a growing awareness of health and wellness b ig brands like Woolworths and Coles are starting to deliver a full range for their customers to choose from on a ‘dry’ week. There is a desire for more sophisticated and flavourful alternatives to traditional soft drinks, as more people look for healthier drink options that aren’t just a sugar hit.
This trend has been driven by the rise of "mindful drinking," where people are more conscious of the amount of alcohol they consume, and are opting for sophisticated alternatives. Examples of popular low and no alcohol beverages in Australia include non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits, as well as kombucha, sparkling water, and fruit-infused beverages.
Many consumers in Australia are looking for beverages made with natural and organic ingredients. This trend has been driven by a desire for healthier, more sustainable products, as well as a preference for beverages that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Some popular natural and organic beverages in Australia include cold-pressed juices, coconut water, and specialty teas.
Functional beverages are drinks that have been formulated with specific health benefits in mind. Consumers are looking for drinks that can help them to improve their overall health and well-being. Examples of popular functional beverages in Australia include energy drinks, sports drinks, and probiotic beverages.
Overall, the non-alcoholic beverage market in Australia is evolving rapidly, with consumers looking for more natural, healthy, and flavorful alternatives to traditional soft drinks. As this trend continues to grow, we can expect to see more innovative and exciting beverage options emerge in the coming years.