Cheers to great drinks.
W hether it’s a tasty libation in hand at a fine dining restaurant or a straw full of an innovative mixed drink in a fast-casual space, an indulgent adult beverage can make any occasion better. Many love to tote a fruity, bubbly, or even smoky cocktail or mocktail when in the company of others to help lubricate a social setting, or simply to help bring the good vibes. The adult beverage category isn’t going anywhere, and in fact, it’s evolving and growing in healthier (and tastier) ways that operators need to be paying attention to if they want to keep and attract loyal consumers.1 We’re here to serve up the freshest drinking trends so you can keep your guests ordering.
Better ingredients and a great time? Yes please.
As “better-for-you” becomes bigger than ever, it’s no surprise that it’s infiltrating the adult beverage category. These days, people are paying more attention to what they consume and being choosier about their diets and experiences, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic adult beverages are no exception. Consumers want to be able to let loose and enjoy an indulgent drink, but they only want to do so if they don’t have to sacrifice their health goals. For some, their diet adaptations have even led them to give up alcohol all together, making mocktails their go-to in their social settings. Regardless of how they’re drinking it, the comradery, celebratory mentality, and the ‘treat yourself’ justification keeps the adult beverage category alive and thriving.
What’s driving this trend?
- Diet and Lifestyle Changes: More people are adopting healthier lifestyles.
- Sugar Awareness: Consumers are considering the negative health impacts of excessive sugar consumption.
- Inclusive Dining: The demand for accommodating various dietary needs is increasing.
- Mindful Drinking: Conscious consumption is trending alongside the sober curious movement.
- Low-Carb Ingredients: The availability of sugar substitutes and low-carb mixers has expanded the possibilities for cocktail creation.
Pour me something tall and sugar-free
To satisfy a wide variety of consumers, consider curating a beverage list with health-conscious options. You can easily start accommodating these guests by integrating a handful of simple switches. If you’re looking to serve some low-carb cocktails and mocktails, try utilizing zero-sugar mixers or ingredients with no added sugar (e.g., no simple syrup). You can also shake things up using natural and lower-sugar spirits that act as healthier substitutes, but still bring the buzz. By mixing these switches into your menu, you’ll create a more inclusive drinking environment and attract and invite all sorts of individuals with varying goals to enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Together we can stir things up.
Operators can leverage a variety of zero-sugar and low-carb beverages from the PepsiCo portfolio to craft the better-for-you cocktails and mocktails consumers are craving.
- For drinks that call for the classic taste of Pepsi try Pepsi Zero Sugar. It’s also available in Wild Cherry if you’re wanting to make things fruity without adding any other ingredients.
- If you’re looking for something that boasts natural sugars and high-quality ingredients try Stubborn Soda.
- Refreshing Starry Zero Sugar can easily be swapped into cocktails that utilize lemon-lime soda.
- bubly is a versatile zero-sugar mixer with an incredible range of flavor options, including fruit flavors like grapefruit, blackberry, and pineapple, and unique flavors like coconut pineapple, bellini bliss, and lemon sorbet.
- For cocktails and mocktails with a kick consider adding a zero-sugar energy drink like Rockstar Pure Zero or Rockstar Focus.
Here are some recipe ideas to throw into the mix:
- Blackberry Pineapple Tea: This refreshingly easy mocktail features Pure Leaf Unsweetened Tea poured over muddle pineapple pieces and blackberries.
- Pepsi Smash: Mix Pepsi Zero Sugar with bourbon and bitters and add lemon wedge for a low-sugar highball with broad appeal.
- Bubly Picante Paloma: Made with tequila, jalapeño, grapefruit bubly®, triple sec, and lime juice, the bubly picante paloma is a fizzy, spicy, and refreshing low-sugar option perfect for any time of year.
Thirsty for more recipes? Click here. Cheers.
Sources
1 Datassential State of the Adult Beverage Menu, November 2023
2 Datassential 2024 Trend Report, December 2023
