Rethink the drink

Demand for low and no is on the rise, so drink in the sales with an inspirational alcohol-free menu

Low- and no-alcohol is the trend to get behind to capitalise on the sales potential from customers looking for alternatives to alcohol when outside the home. Primary motivations range from improving health to resetting drinking habits ready for a new year.

January is typically the month when people abstain from alcohol but demand for booze-free drinks over the festive period is considerable, so it’s well worth looking at a menu to meet demand. Low- and no-alcohol beers and ciders are big business, so advertising your range will reap rewards. Alcohol-free spirits are not just an alternative for using in cocktails but deserve a place alongside standard spirits on G&T menus, for example. And offer natural alternatives to sugar-filled soft drinks.

25% OF PEOPLE IN THE UK WOULD LIKE TO CUT DOWN THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL THEY CONSUME

28% OF PEOPLE FOUND THEMSELVES DRINKING MORE IN 2021 THAN IN 2020

IN THE UK, ONE FIFTH OF ADULTS USE ALCOHOL-FREE DRINKS AS A WAY TO MODERATE THEIR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

[Source: Drinkaware]

AN ESTIMATED 7.9m UK ADULTS PARTICIPATED IN DRY JANUARY 2022, UP FROM AN ESTIMATED 6.5m THE PREVIOUS YEAR (22% INCREASE)

By participating in Dry January:

»70% of people sleep better »86% of people save money

» 65% of people notice generally improved health

[Source: Alcohol Change UK]

THE TOP ALCOHOL- FREE OCCASION AT MORE THAN 40% WAS FAMILY MEALS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

THE LOW- AND-NO MARKET IN THE UK IS PREDICTED TO BE WORTH MORE THAN £450M BY 2024

[Source: Low & No 2022: The Consumer Perspective report]

1 in 3 OF THOSE PLANNING TO PARTICIPATE WOULD PREFER TO TAKE PART IN DRY JANUARY USING ALCOHOL CHANGE UK’S APP OR COACHING PROGRAMME, THAN GIVE UP ALCOHOL FOR JANUARY ON THEIR OWN

22% OF PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO TAKE PART IN DRY JANUARY IF A FRIEND OR RELATIVE IS DOING IT TOO, OR IF THEY COULD RAISE MONEY FOR AN ALCOHOL HARM CHARITY (14%)

MORE THAN 70% OF PEOPLE WHO DO DRY JANUARY CONTINUE TO DRINK LESS SIX MONTHS LATER

Research has also revealed that a month off from drinking:

»lowers blood pressure »reduces diabetes risk »lowers cholesterol

» reduces levels of cancer-related proteins in the blood

[Source: bmjopen.bmj.com/ content/bmjopen/8/5/e020673. full.pdf]