6 alcohol-disrupting natural beverages
Imbibe with pride. These natural beverages offer either nonalcoholic alternatives or drinks that disrupt conventional beer or wine.
![6 alcohol-disrupting natural beverages 6 alcohol-disrupting natural beverages](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/blte6fb67e301851c07/64ff1bd077991b7077d3a5dd/AA-promo.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
The folks at DRY have long made elegant sodas and nonalcoholic bubbly beverages in unexpected flavors such as Cucumber and Lavender. The Ruby Citrus flavor is an exciting addition to DRY’s product set thanks to a unique blend of stevia and erythritol, lemon juice concentrate and organic flavoring reminiscent of grapefruit or blood orange.
A nonalcoholic bottled drink crafted by mixologists, Curious Elixirs employs a medley of organic juices, fruits, herbs and spices to conjure a lip-smacking beverage designed to impart bitter, spicy, peppery and herbaceous flavors (in other words, they’re intended for adults, not children). The No. 1 flavor is a delicious, fruity (but non-sugary) blend of organic pomegranate juice, orange juice, lemon peel, gentian root extract, goldenroot extract and more.
Made with a simple blend of black tea, kombucha culture, organic ginger juice, tangerine essential oil and stevia leaf extract, this low-sugar, 100-calorie kombucha contains 4.5 percent alcohol, making it akin to a classic beer. In addition to serving gluten-free drinkers, this sweet-tart beverage also contains live cultures. Available in three additional flavors including Pink Grapefruit, Cold Brew Coffee and Hibiscus Lime.
This USDA Organic alcoholic kombucha features a medley of fermented functional herbs such as ginger, turmeric, ashwagandha and astragalus. At 4.5 percent alcohol content by volume, the Ancient Berry flavor is a fruity, sour sipper spiked with elderberry, goji berry and raspberry.
This nonalcoholic, beautifully packaged beverage from Recess features 10mg full-spectrum hemp oil, 200mg American ginseng, 130mg L-theanine and 200mg Schisandra for a hefty dose of calming functional properties. Also inside: blackberry chai concentrate and 6 grams of organic cane sugar. As Recess’ marketing copy says, "not tired, not wired." Love it!
This beloved Arizona-based jun kombucha brand expands into the alcohol category with six new SKUs that feature an alcohol percentage of 5.6-7.6 percent (around the same amount as a hoppy craft brew). Fermented with honey instead of cane sugar, this alcoholic kombucha offers, as Wild Tonic says, “The Buzz Without The Sting!”
This beloved Arizona-based jun kombucha brand expands into the alcohol category with six new SKUs that feature an alcohol percentage of 5.6-7.6 percent (around the same amount as a hoppy craft brew). Fermented with honey instead of cane sugar, this alcoholic kombucha offers, as Wild Tonic says, “The Buzz Without The Sting!”
Whether they be lower in alcohol than traditional beer, wine or cocktails–or they contain no alcohol at all–the natural products industry is stepping up to offer better-for-you drink options for guilt-free refreshments. Becoming “sober curious”–at least some of the time–has been a steadily growing trend in the wellness community. Scores of Instagram accounts sing the benefits of reducing alcohol consumption, which range from improved skin to a reduced risk of serious diseases, and restaurants across the United States are starting to use just as much artistry in nonalcoholic mocktails as they are in cocktails.
It was the realization that many teetotaling adults wanted interesting, tasty beverages to sip on (so long, cranberry-seltzer) that sparked bar owner John Wiseman to launch Curious Elixirs, a line of nonalcoholic drinks that employ organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and bittering agents to craft complex, dry beverages that are reminiscent of classic cocktail drinks. “This movement is all about people being more mindful about diet choices. Our mission is to normalize what it means to drink socially,” says Wiseman, who adds that many folks trying to cut back on alcohol feel isolated because so many social activities are centered on drinking. Now stocked in many restaurants and nightclubs, Curious Elixirs (whose motto is “Shaken Not Slurred”) can help remove the stigma of not drinking. “It shouldn’t be strange at all to cut back,” says Wiseman.
On the other end of the spectrum, some traditionally nonalcoholic beverages such as kombucha are launching lines with alcoholic contents of up to 5.6 percent (and selling them in the liquor store section/liquor store partner of natural stores). Plus, the concept of “New School Alcohol” is included in SPINS’ Top 10 Trend Predications 2019, indicating that this trend has big potential.
Click through the following slides to learn which beer and wine alternatives caught our eye.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like