Cheers, it's Margarita Day!
As spirits like tequila and non-alcoholic alternatives become more popular, we explore why labels remain so central to drinks branding.
While we love Margarita’s, we’re actually more excited about how spirits and other alternatives are telling an interesting story about the market for premium beverages and cocktail mixers. It’s not only a trend that’s applicable to spirits and alcoholic beverages, but alcohol-free alternatives, too.
Alcohol free alternatives are breaking into mainstream beverage the market. At the elite Paris Cocktail Week earlier this month, a whole session was dedicated to alcohol-free alcoholic beverages and drink combinations, which underlines the popularity of these new cocktail components.
While the last decade has seen a considerable rise in brands (including leading spirit companies) bringing out alcohol-free alternatives into their product range, it’s really only in the past five years or so that demand for premium spirit alternatives has risen so dramatically. We expect to see more new players on the market in the coming years.
Just like their alcoholic counterparts, alcohol-free alternatives can be similar to spirits, for example an aromatic blend that’s drunk with tonic and is reminiscent of gin, or totally different options for wine or beer alternatives. There’s also an increasingly significant market for premium spritzers and soda waters or fruity pre-dinner cocktails that can be drunk alone or mixed with sodas.
Often aimed at affluent consumers, millennials or the ‘sober-curious’ movement consumers who want to enjoy beverages with low or no alcohol content are now a big market. Dropping or reducing alcohol means that new competitors are stepping up to present exciting drinks to meet demands.
However you look at the trend towards cocktails (alcoholic or not), the theme remains the same: these are premium products, and people love to enjoy them: neither option is set to see reduced demand in the coming years. Packaging and labels that reflects the superior brand positioning, customer experience and the desirability of the beverage, is a must.
A labelling solution that offers shelf appeal, an ability to stand out from the competition, and ensure customers keep the product in their line of vision are key priorities.
Metallized labels can support these characteristics and are proven to be eye-catching and retain consumer attention, making it an in-demand material for spirit and beverage labelling applications.