Behind the Alcohol-Free Spirits Trend

Drinking in 2020 saw a shift as people began to embrace low- and no-alcohol beverages. The question that many would ask is, what are alcohol-free spirits? Does this category of alcohol even exist? What is the point of drinking spirits if they are non-alcoholic at all? Although it was unheard of for people to look for non-alcoholic spirits in the past, the 2020 Cocktail Trends Report shows that things have changed. The lower alcohol content is among the top Google searches today.

Alcohol-free spirits have garnered attention and buzz among health-conscious individuals. This has seen the rise in brands that launch non-alcoholic spirits that imitate rum, whisky, or gin. As a non-drinker, you often find yourself the odd one out when you are at the bar with friends. The non-alcoholic spirits present drinks with a taste of spirits but no booze factor.

The problem with these types of drinks lies with naming. Legally, there is no category for non-alcoholic spirits currently. A drink is known as a spirit based on the alcohol content in it. In Europe, for example, a spirit must have a minimum ABV of 15%. In the US, a distilled spirit must have at least 40% ABV. Furthermore, a spirit must be produced by distillation of fermented matter or aromas whose end product is alcoholic. Most non-alcoholic drink makers use aromas and essences obtained via distillation or maceration, which takes up to six weeks.

As seen during the pandemic, the market for non-alcoholic spirits has always been there, but the industry players failed to see it. For instance, according to Nielsen’s data, the US non-alcoholic drinks market rose by 44% recently. As people shifted to online purchases, nonalcoholic spirit makers’ sales rose four-fold as consumers sought more alcohol-free options while getting an adult beverage experience. From now onwards, we are likely to see a rise in the number of non-alcoholic drinks manufacturers.