By Marbet Lewis
The beverage industry is a constantly evolving industry, and alcohol trends are no exception. As consumer preferences change, new products enter the market, and innovative marketing strategies take shape, predicting what will be popular in the next few years can be challenging. By taking a closer look at current trends in the United States beverage industry, however, we can get an idea of what we may see in 2023.
- Low-Alcohol Cocktails: Light alcoholic drinks are becoming increasingly popular as consumers strive for healthier lifestyles. Low-alcohol or “session cocktails” are gaining steam as a result. These drinks contain less than 4% ABV (alcohol by volume) and offer consumers a lighter option for their drinking experience. Look for more of these low-ABV options to become available in 2023 as this trend continues to grow.
- Plant-Based Alcoholic Beverages: Non-dairy milk alternatives such as oat milk and almond milk have seen an increase in popularity over the past few years due to their health benefits and taste profiles—and now alcoholic beverages are following suit. Plant-based wines and beers are popping up all over the country, offering drinkers vegan-friendly options with fewer calories and sugar content than traditional alcoholic beverages. Expect to see more plant-based options on shelves by 2023, as well as lower ABV versions of these beverages that appeal to health-conscious drinkers.
- Craft Spirits: Craft spirits have been growing steadily for several years now, but they’ve recently taken off even further due to the COVID pandemic that has left many bars closed or operating under limited capacity restrictions across the country. As a result, craft distilleries have been able to reach new audiences who may never have heard of them before, leading to increased demand for their products nationwide. We hope craft spirits will continue trending upwards in 2023 as people seek out unique flavors from small batch producers while they remain unable or unwilling to visit bars and restaurants regularly.
Keeping up with trends in any industry can be difficult—but it’s especially important when it comes to predicting which directions markets may go in the future. By examining current alcohol trends in the United States beverage industry, we can gain insight into what might be popular come 2023 - from light alcoholic drinks like low-ABV cocktails to plant-based alcohols and craft spirits crafted by artisan distillers - all of which will likely play a role in shaping our drinking choices come 2023 . An understanding of possible trends can help businesses position themselves ahead of competitors. Navigating the ever-changing world of alcohol laws can be a daunting task for businesses in the beverage industry.
Entrepreneurs and industry members should stay informed and compliant with regulations while also investigating how to best capitalize on current trends.
