The making of the mocktail market

We asked five professionals to help us understand the mocktail market better. Here’s what they had to say about what millennialls want, health trends and the development of the industry, which is marked by more creative and colorful concoctions, with no compromise on taste.

CHAN MYAE AUNG

Head bartender Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori by Sunset Hospitality Group chan_myae_ahpyout Evolution

Mocktails have evolved. Our bartenders are creating drinks that are well balanced and just as tasty as their alcoholic counterparts. What we do is both a science and an art: knowing when to add a specific ingredient, understanding the flavor profile and the nuances of each liquor, spice and fruit, and blending them together into one amazing drink. Guests notice these details in our menu and in our employees, who are passionate about what they are serving. We don’t just offer mocktails — we create stories. Trends

Invigorating drinks that are as beautiful as they are tasty are trendy these days. Garnishes that add texture and flavor are also popular. Customers often check our social media platforms before they come. Our Instagram page not only helps us sell; it also inspires our guests. Best-selling mocktail

All of our ingredients are made in house. Our best-selling mocktail is the Passion Cooler, which is made of passionfruit. mint and ginger soda. From the artistic glass to the garnishing, this cocktail tastes like summer! Right now, we are hard at work making sure our new releases are packed with mouthwatering flavors that are made from scratch right here in our restaurant. Why mocktails?

Consumers want their dining experiences to be unique and exciting — something they don’t find anywhere else. Millennials — who drive so many trends these days — are actually drinking less. And while some restaurants might view that as a problem, many beverage entrepreneurs see it as an opportunity. The fact that we are located in Galleria Mall, a foodie’s paradise, makes us stand out from the rest, with our boundless variety of seasonal ingredients that arrive every week from the heart of Japan.

sinful for my craft, but as the years went by, many products, like Lyres, have proven their quality, almost replicating spirits without any alcohol. Moving forward, mocktails will be healthier, tastier and taken more seriously by health-conscious individuals.

CAMERON BOYD

Bar manager Lucia’s by 7 Management 7management.me cameron_james_boyd

Talking millennials

First and foremost, mocktails allow you to enjoy festivities without the lingering effects of drinking alcohol. Therefore, consuming mocktails does not impact decisions that could lead to dangerous or embarrassing situations. The new modern movement of non-alcoholic drinks allows millennials to enjoy the hand-crafted non-alcoholic drinks that share the same level of appreciation for flavors as alcoholic cocktails. The taste and ceremony of mocktails could serve as a form of recovery for those who tend to over indulge. Health-conscious millennials are also looking for lower/no-ABV spirits, as well as healthy, tasty and socially acceptable alternatives at bars, clubs or even at home.

Shift toward no-ABV drinks

Countless trends have emerged over recent years with regard to mocktails. I truly believe that we have started to give millennials what they want, from serving nonalcoholic spritzes to non-alcoholic wines. As a bartender in my earlier years, seeing non-alcoholic or no-ABV spirits seemed Favorite brands

A mocktail brand I recommend is Curious Elixiers, which provides bottled mocktails (various flavors) that are healthy. I would also recommend Lyres’ non-alcoholic spirits and wines. In my opinion, they hit the nail on the head in terms of diversity of products and flavors, providing bartenders with a great deal of freedom.

Same but different!

There are many advantages of adding nonalcoholic drinks to your menu, as we are in an era of healthy living. We need to cater to demand by having a variety of options that will attract new customers and also keep guests entertained. The ideal mocktail menu contains the same fundamentals as a regular cocktail menu but with sustainable and environmental thoughts in mind.

TIAGO MIGUEL GARCIA

Beverage manager Playa restaurant playadxb.com mixology4life Popularity

Mocktails have gelled well with the rising trend of health and wellbeing, providing a more energetic drinking experience compared to alcoholic concoctions. Covid-19 caused a major shift in mindset. Previously, nightclubs were always full, but now we are seeing beachside running tracks packed with people. We are waking up earlier, exercising, eating healthier and, of course, drinking better. I believe this new wellness era is here to stay. Heathier options

In my opinion, there are two main paths: one focused on healthy drinking, vitamins and nutrients, where bartenders will have to study and analyze carefully the ingredients used in their drinks, as well as the sugar content; and the other involving the availability of an alcohol-free version of a consumer’s favorite cocktail wherever they go. Freshness is key

When it comes to mocktails, freshness is the key. Therefore, we don’t use any branded juices or syrups if we are trying to provide our customers with a healthy drinking experience. Undoubtedly, the best brand you can have is your own; juice squeezed with your own hands, for instance. This is something that no brand can provide. Revenue generator

The advantages of having mocktails on the menu are considerable, especially in the Middle East, where alcohol is not always available. Indeed, this region is a booming market for alcohol-free cocktails and drinks.

Also, the more diverse the offering, the greater the potential to reach a larger audience.

From a business perspective, mocktails are a revenue generator and are a must at any decent restaurant/bar. As a bartender, I know how often this section of the menu is overlooked, which is a big mistake because mocktails are just as important as cocktails.

much alcohol. We think that many bars are responding to this global shift by providing alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of their drinks.

BIPIN KARKI

Bar manager Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes blacktap.com bipinkarki99 Mindful drinking

We believe that mocktails are increasingly popular thanks to the concerns of health-conscious millennials. Since the introduction of plant-based meats, we have also seen a surge in the consumption of non-alcoholic drinks because many people are more mindful when it comes to what they put in their bodies. When the pandemic hit, people stayed at home and focused on their health, so there were significant changes in their drinking habits partly due to guests stopping going to bars and restaurants. Furthermore, we have seen a major market shift toward low-alcohol and alcohol-free drinks.

Colorful concoctions

Layered drinks are in fashion, as are colorful and Instagrammable drinks. We have developed new mocktails to keep up with these trends. Most restaurants are now offering tasty mocktails for those who want to socialize without consuming too New releases

We use Monin and Bon Accord in our drinks. The Apple and Feijoa Caipirinha and the Layered Roberts mocktails we serve are a hit with new guests and existing ones. Our cotton candy mocktail is a top choice among millennials because of the wow factor. Most of our mocktails actually look like cocktails from a presentation perspective, so our guests can feel that they are drinking alcoholic drinks even when they’re not. Safety first

One of the advantages of offering mocktails is that they’re safe. Since these drinks don’t contain alcohol, literally anyone can order and enjoy them without unwanted side effects.

ELIE KREIDY

Manager Salmon Guru Dubai instagram.com/salmongurudubai eli_kreidy

Desired by millennials

There are several reasons why millennials are fond of mocktails. On the one hand, many in this group believe that they do not need alcohol to have fun. They were taught about the risks associated with alcohol consumption at school and have been exposed to media campaigns on the harmful effects of sugar contained in alcohol. On the other hand, the evolution of the cocktail industry has mirrored that of the changing tastes of millennials, who represent a significant market segment. Creativity at play

Mocktails are becoming more and more similar to cocktails, especially in character and image. They are no longer mocktails with the look of tropical juice and a lot of decoration. Creativity is constantly at play. Greater variety

By removing the main ingredient of traditional cocktails, professionals in the industry are being encouraged to get creative and use textures and other ingredients to replace the alcohol element. The absence of alcohol also allows more variety and greater consumption. Finally, mocktails are much more cost effective to produce and less expensive to purchase than traditional cocktails.