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Alcohol-free booze is becoming big business
But will it ever be as good?
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Demand for alcohol-free drinks is not limited to Dry January. A growing number of health-conscious youngsters are going sober all year round.
PHOTO: AFP
The Economist
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Dry January is under way. After the excesses of the festive period, nearly one-third of Americans are expected to give up, or at least cut down on, alcohol this month. Many will save money. Some will lose weight. And a growing number will still continue to drink their favourite tipple – or at least something close to it.
The teetotallers and “sober curious” are no longer restricted to fizzy drinks, fruit juice or plain old water. The market for non-alcoholic booze – including beer, wine and spirits – has been flying of late. Global sales came to nearly US$20 billion (S$27.4 billion) in 2023, according to the latest data from Euromonitor, a research firm, double the amount of five years before. The market grew by roughly 20 per cent in 2023, compared with 8 per cent for alcoholic drinks. How big will it get?
