Low or No Alcohol Drinks Are in
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted how we live, work, communicate and consume, causing us to reevaluate our values and behaviors. Prolonged isolation resulted in an uptick in some harmful habits; however, at the same time, many have experienced renewed interest and concern in their health and wellbeing. This emphasis includes switching to more ‘good for you’ plant-based options and changing mindsets around alcohol consumption.
No Drinking or No-Buzz Drinking Are on the Rise
A recent Gallup poll indicates that alcohol consumption is declining, with an eight percent dip in the number of Americans consuming alcohol since 2019 (65 to 60 percent of adults). In addition, the average number of drinks per week has also dropped (4.0 to 3.6), the lowest level since 2001. This switch to less alcohol less often is occurring among younger and older Americans. Beer is most popular, followed by wine and spirits.
While many are cutting down on their drinking, others opt to enjoy their favorite beverages and cocktails but without the alcohol content. As a result, ‘good for you’ no or low alcoholic beer, wine, spirit, and mocktail options are a growing choice, with manufacturers noting substantial growth in the past two years as the sober curious movement gains momentum.
The Same Taste Without the Tipsy Touch
As with dairy and meat alternatives, the taste is the primary barrier to uptake.
Hence the taste and sensation associated with alcohol are vital. However, creating a flavor profile to match preferred beverages while providing a ‘good for you’ yet satisfying aroma, color, flavor, mouthfeel, aftertaste, and a warming sensation can be challenging for producers. So, how can innovations mimic these crucial product features?
Discover Ideal Flavor Pairings
Flavors associated with alcoholic beverages can be woody, fruity, bitter, or sweet, and usually fermented; colors range from clear to dark. In addition, expected sensations include warming and a ‘bite’ when swallowing.
Creating the right flavor requires a reliable ingredients supplier, imagination, and a superior palate. Successful non-alcoholic variants of desired beverages are possible with appropriate flavor pairings. Suitable combinations mean understanding the compound eugenols, esters, isobutanols, and ethyl acetates flavoring your alcoholic version, then choosing spices, botanicals, and other foodstuffs sharing the same components.
Potential ingredients include berries, grapefruit, lemongrass, rosemary, spearmint, nutmeg, cardamom, vanilla, even oak, coffee, peas, and baked apples. Choose peppers, capsicum from chili, and even scotch bonnet for the proper burn sensation. Flavor pairings may also need additional or different production processes. Experimentation is key.
Pure and Natural Ingredients Taste Better and Are Healthier
With low or no alcohol choices driven by health concerns, your consumer relies on you for a purer, more natural beverage.
Aroma, flavor, and sensation extracts must be certified natural. However, natural doesn’t always mean ‘good for you’, so look for additives and flavorings that are EU certified. These extracts are regulated to ensure that producers only use natural microorganisms, vegetables, and animals and only approved processing techniques. Flavorings that don’t qualify are labeled ‘artificial’.
Advanced Biotech’s wide range of EU-certified natural aromas and flavors can help you create perfect non-alcoholic beverages. Please contact us for more information.