Alcohol-Free vs. Non-Alcoholic Explained

Booze and bubble without the hangover

By Kara Trim

The terms alcohol-free and non-alcoholic are everywhere in the media, from television shows to social media to our own PR%F AF, which launched in 2022. We set out to understand the shift that is taking place in our industry and determine if this trend is here to stay. Or is this just a fad? We conclude that it is time to pay attention alcohol-free vs, non-alcoholic explained

What is the actual difference between alcohol-free and non-alcoholic? The spirits industry hasn’t decided exactly how to treat these beverages. Despite the lack of clear boundaries, many people—sober, sober- curious, pregnant, religious, and those with health conditions or medications that prevent alcohol consumption—are choosing alcohol-free or non-alcoholic. Almost half (46%) of adults have purchased non-alcoholic beverages in the last year and one-quarter of Gen Z are not drinking alcohol at all. It is crucial for those in the industry to understand the difference between alcohol-free and nonalcoholic anymore.

Throughout the hospitality and bar industry, over the last nine months, there has been widespread attention and conversation about non-alcohol and alcohol-free products and readyto-drink cocktails. This mirrors a global, industry-wide increase in the intention, effort, creativity, and quality of offerings, which is a response to the booming customer demand for superior, delicious, exciting, and irresistible adult libations and choices.

Historically, the mocktails category has long been on well-developed menus, and the iconic Shirley Temple cocktail is a beloved, treasured memory from most childhoods. Virgin Mary and Virgin Pina Colada were added to the list, and drinks without alcohol were not very exciting unless you were eight years old. Today that is different, with many delicious alcohol-free and non-alcoholic beverages adding that kick without the alcohol.

De Soi Champignon Dreams

Alcohol-Free

According to United States regulations, alcohol-free “may be used only on malt beverages containing no alcohol.” In practice, for beer, this typically means the brewer used fermentation prevention. In other words, the brewer withheld yeast; thus, the sugars can’t produce alcohol. Heineken 0.0 is an alcohol-free beer. For wine spirits, water is infused over a long time with the aroma of natural botanicals, flavorings, and essences to replicate the flavor profiles we are familiar with from alcoholic spirits and wine into an alcohol-free version. Seedlip products are alcohol-free spirits, and Töst Rosé is an alcohol-free dry, sparkling refresher that can be served in a wine glass and the winner of a 2022 Double Gold PR%F Award.

Non-alcoholic

The term non-alcoholic means the product “contains less than 0.5 percent (or .5%) alcohol by volume.” These beverages typically start the same way as their alcoholic counterparts and have the alcohol removed through processes such as

• Distillation: The beverage is heated to a point to evaporate ethanol since alcohol has a lower boiling point than water.

• Vacuum evaporation: This newer method uses low pressure to lower the boiling point of the beverage to preserve the flavor.

• Reverse osmosis: High pressure forces the beverage through a membrane. The membrane allows tiny particles such as water and alcohol to pass through, while the larger molecules, which include flavor and other aromas, stay behind. The concentrate is then diluted with water to get the final product.