SOFT DRINKS GROW UP
Words Francesca Specter. Photographs iStock
FOOD NEWS
*All products available at
hollandandbarrett.com. **13 August, Bermondsey Square Hotel, London.
Fed up with lime and soda? If you’re one of the 31 per cent of British adults cutting back on alcoholic drinks, you may bemoan the lack of decent alcohol-free, non-sugar-loaded alternatives at your local. Fear not, because the sober revolution is here, bringing a host of innovative tipples. We’re talking the likes of Seedlip (seedlipdrinks.com), who offer ‘the world’s first non-alcoholic spirits’, and the prosecco-like Botonique (botonique.com), sparkling water, pear juice, and a blend of herbs, spices and citrus – it’s one of The Grocer’s top 10 global new soft drink products. Meanwhile, this August brings the first-ever Mindful Drinking Festival, inspired by the growing demand for alcohol-free alternatives. Club Soda founders Laura Willoughby MBE and Dr Jussi Tolvi, who are hosting the festival, say: ‘Our customers often request ideas on what to drink instead of alcohol, so we decided to curate our favourite mocktails, alcohol-free beers and G&T alternatives.’ Watch this space as we predict the market is going to get even more exciting over the next year or so.