Thirst for alcohol-free drinks

Non-alcoholic drinks are here to stay as the demand for hangover-free options grows and savvy retailers catch on

Entrepreneurs Emma Pike (far left) and Rebecca Forwood decided to start online bottle shop Free Spirit after realising that non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits were not as readily available here, compared with their home country, Australia. (From
The majority of Dairy Farm-owned Cold Storage stores stock a full selection of non-alcoholic beers and wines. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Entrepreneurs Emma Pike (far left) and Rebecca Forwood decided to start online bottle shop Free Spirit after realising that non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits were not as readily available here, compared with their home country, Australia. (From
Australia's Lyre's non-alcoholic American Malt Spirit. PHOTO: LYRE'S
Entrepreneurs Emma Pike (far left) and Rebecca Forwood decided to start online bottle shop Free Spirit after realising that non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits were not as readily available here, compared with their home country, Australia. (From
Non, a zero-alcohol wine alternative made in Melbourne. PHOTO: NON
Entrepreneurs Emma Pike (far left) and Rebecca Forwood decided to start online bottle shop Free Spirit after realising that non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits were not as readily available here, compared with their home country, Australia. (From
Indian beverage company Svami's Zero Proof range of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink products. PHOTO: SVAMI
Melati’s non-alcoholic aperitif. PHOTO: MELATI
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It may be several weeks to Dry January, when people usually repent for festive drinking by giving up booze for a month.

But the move towards wellness and the thirst for hangover-free options is no longer restricted to start-of-the-year guilt-trips.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 29, 2020, with the headline Thirst for alcohol-free drinks. Subscribe