In days of yore, the average person went to a bar to either have a drink and relax or have a drink and get rowdy. But now, there are bars where you can enjoy a fun night out with friends without having any alcohol at all! These “zero-proof” bars are popping up across the United States and around the world as consumers increasingly look for ways to stay sober without sacrificing a good time.
Wait, my customers aren’t drinking as much?
Yes, but don’t hit the panic button just yet. While the rate of alcohol consumption across the country has been declining for years, it’s not because people want to give up their favorite cocktail.
Reasons can range anywhere from health restrictions like pregnancy, not wanting to pay for an uber or find a designated driver, being sober or sober-curious, or even as simple as not wanting to have a hangover.
Many even have admitted to over-indulging during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now reevaluating their relationships with alcohol, cutting back to focus on health and wellness.
Don’t be afraid of this shift – take advantage of it! Non-alcoholic drinks can be every bit as creative as their boozy cousins if bartenders embrace them with the same imagination and attention to detail.
Enter the zero-proof spirit. Believe it or not, there are now hundreds of large and small brands offering alcohol-free alternatives not just for beer and wine, but vodka, tequila, gin, whiskey, rum, and more. Since many of these alcohol-free spirits are produced with similar ingredients, consumers no longer have to sacrifice taste and can enjoy these zero-proof alternatives straight up or in a mocktail.
The demand for alcohol-free drinks is growing rapidly, and it’s not going to slow down anytime soon. There’s no time better than the present to add a selection of non-alcoholic options to your menu!