BEVERAGE
Six industry players share their thoughts on the latest trends in alcoholic-free beverages. Here’s what they had to say.
The latest in non-alcoholic drinks
Jad Ballout
Co-owner Electric Bing Sutt
What changes have you witnessed in consumer behavior?
Many people nowadays are asking for low-alcohol or alcohol-free cocktails because they are taking their health more seriously. They want to spend time at bars without drinking as much.
What trends have been forecast in non-alcoholic and soft drinks?
You can find many types of craft sodas and tonics in the market. There are also a number of spirits without alcohol. Creating complex non-alcoholic cocktails is definitely more challenging, so bartenders are being creative by making fermented fruit cordials and using them in their homemade sodas. Some are perfecting their own kombucha, which is a non-alcoholic fermented tea that tastes delicious and has countless health benefits.
At Electric Bing Sutt, we created a nonalcoholic whiskey sour. We would infuse non-alcoholic beer with smoked lapsang tea and mix it with lemon and galangal. Needless to say, it was packed with flavor.
Which non-alcoholic brands are in demand, and are there any lesserknown brands you recommend?
One of the leading non-alcoholic spirits is Seedlip. It is a type of hydrosol you see on back bars and on cocktail menus around the world. Three Cents is a brand of soda I really like. They have amazing flavors — my favorite being the grapefruit soda, which can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail.
What trends have been forecast in non-alcoholic and soft drinks?
The pandemic has disrupted our lives and affected our physical and mental health. As a result, many consumers have taken greater care of their wellbeing. Familiar comfort drinks such as chocolate milkshake, strawberry lemonade, peach iced tea and hazelnut iced latte are just some of the beverages that have returned as top sellers. Also, drinks with functional benefits and ingredients like kombucha, whey and protein are making their way onto the menus of bars and cafés.
In addition, we are witnessing a rise in ZERO ABV cocktails, which led us to launch a new range of products: Le Mixeur de MONIN. There are currently four flavors: Mojito, Pina Colada, Margarita and Strawberry Daiquiri. The initial launch has taken place in the Gulf.