There are new trends in the alcohol industry every year, and 2021 is no exception.
The shift from outdoor events to a stay-at-home setup has opened doors for new kinds of products in the alcoholic beverage industry to emerge, creating a unique set of challenges and opportunities for brands and manufacturers alike.
Numerous people have turned to more conscious consumption and discovering new tastes. Alcoholic drinks with reduced alcohol content are only one example of the various trends that hold the limelight.
Everyone wants quality food and drinks. That much is a given. Following the closure of and reduction in public restaurants and bars, home drinking has spread like wildfire — with countless people stepping up as liquor aficionados and amateur mixologists.
Without further ado, here are the top trends to watch out for in 2021:
1. Reduced alcohol content is in.
The switch to a lower alcohol content is molded by a paradigm shift that emphasizes health and general wellbeing.
In 2020, 70% of consumers mentioned that they had enhanced their diet in the past 12 months to improve their immune health; 20% of whom similarly reduced their alcohol consumption for the same goal, according to FCMG Gurus.
Additionally, 66% of consumers worldwide focused on reducing calorie counts in their diets, which affected the alcohol market and its sweetened and high-content drinks.
That said, by 2024, there’s expected to be a 31% increase in non-alcoholic and low-content drinks in the top 10 global alcoholic beverage markets.
2. Ready-to-drink cocktails are here to stay.
With the rapid increase of new brands in the alcoholic beverage industry, expect to see more ready-to-drink cocktail brands appearing in 2021.
In the past year, RTDs have been every stay-at-home consumer’s best friend for their convenience and practicality, with more flavors and creative mixtures coming out every week. Because of this, RTDs are no longer viewed as cheap, sugary beverages, and instead as sophisticated varieties that prioritize low alcohol content, low sugar, and high-quality, all-natural ingredients.
3. Online selling of alcohol is rising in popularity.
It’s now significantly easier for the alcohol market to be accessed online. Alcoholic drinks can be bought and delivered right to your doorstep.
In 2017, this trend in the alcohol industry caused online sales to reach $1.7 billion, according to Grocery Dive. As consumers have since gained greater accessibility and convenience, it is believed that the online alcohol market will continue to thrive in 2021.
4. Canned wine is the new trend for millennials.
Wine has traditionally been contained in elegant barrels and bottles, but today’s innovations in the global alcoholic beverage market have triggered a surge in canned wine.
The data firm Nielsen shares that there are now 22 wine brands offering their premium wines in cans — with an astonishing 386 options readily available.
From $46 million last year, 2021 has elevated sales figures to a whopping $81 million from selling canned variants alone.
Although canned wine only accounts for 0.4% of the wine market, it has the potential to expand, especially when catering to millennials searching for new flavors and convenient options.
Celebrity endorsements and champagne houses don’t play a small part in this trend either as they partner to extend their brand portfolios and introduce wines and champagnes to new consumers.
5. Fermented drinks with a health kick are the new big thing.
A vital trend in the alcohol industry involves healthy drinking habits and a quality drink of choice. This movement has led to the growing popularity of fermented beverages within the healthy drinks category.
It is expected that, in 2025, probiotic beverages will breach $77 billion in sales, which is twice the revenue generated worldwide in 2018. For years, kombucha has been leading the alcohol market, but today it’s facing some fierce competition.
Alcohol with functional and health benefits is a major topic of discussion as brands begin to explore more options to achieve inclusivity and widespread satisfaction with non-alcoholic and healthier variants.
6. Bubble tea takes the world by storm.
Invented in the 1980s, bubble tea has since significantly grown in popularity. This Taiwanese tea-based drink features tapioca pearls (or fruit jelly “bubbles”) that health-conscious consumers enjoy as a healthier low-sugar alternative.
In countries like Germany, the USA, Brazil, and China, there are shops that sell these products — some exclusively so — around nearly every corner, with the market expected to grow by around $2 billion until it hits an estimated peak of $4.3 billion in 2027.
Taste the Trend Today
As a well-established liquor store near Vail, CO, we at Village Warehouse Wine & Spirits offer thousands of wines to choose from for every occasion. Our passion for quality wines, beers, and spirits has kept our products up-to-date with the latest trends in the alcohol industry.
Let us help with your next alcoholic get-together. Visit us at 101 Fawcett Road #130 Avon, CO, or call (970) 949-599 for more information.
