This just in: mocktails (short for “mock cocktails”) are the newest craze. With alcohol consumption on the decline, non-alcoholic beverages are the hottest new market, with popularity soaring over the past 5 years. In 2022, this industry surpassed $11B! This trend is attributed to Gen Z and the recent changes in the conversation surrounding alcohol.
But these mocktails aren’t just sodas — they are uniquely flavorful, and some even contain adaptogens (natural plant substances that help the body adapt to stress) such as Lion’s Mane or even hemp for mood-enhancing effects.
The sheer number of brands in this industry is exploding. On my drive up to Santa Barbara following winter break, I stopped at the organic supermarket chain Erewhon and was dumbfounded by all the options. A full row was stocked with mocktails sporting colorful packaging and unique flavors. Some popular brands include Recess, Hiyo, Mad Tasty, and TranQuini (my personal favorite).
But it doesn’t stop there — celebrities and influencers are launching their own brands as well. Some notable brands include Blake Lively’s Betty Buzz, which was founded in 2021, Bella Hadid’s Kin Euphorics, which started in 2017, and Katy Perry’s De Soi, which was created in 2020.
So, what’s all the hype surrounding these mocktails? For one, many of them feature the adaptogens described above. Some examples of adaptogens to look for are ashwagandha, ginseng, maca, reishi mushrooms, and Lion’s Mane. Each of these adaptogens has its own benefits such as improving cognitive function, supporting immune health, and lowering elevated cortisol levels. These drinks are also relatively low-calorie and healthier than most other non-alcoholic alternatives such as sodas.
For the price point of these canned drinks, there’s a range in cost, but most twelve-packs on Amazon seem to be around $40, putting the cost per drink at roughly $3.3.
But TikTok has shown us how we can make our own! One of the most popular homemade mocktail trends of the year was the “sleepy girl mocktail.” This drink consists of roughly a half cup of tart cherry juice, one tablespoon of magnesium powder, and some flavored soda or sparkling water to top it off. This trend has blown up on TikTok after first being introduced by Calee Shea and later popularized by Gracie Norton.
Now, people all over claim that drinking this concoction before bed has done miracles in acting as a sleep aid. Cherries offer melatonin, which is a naturally occurring hormone that plays a role in sleep, and magnesium powder is a natural muscle relaxer. It is worth noting that the results of this drink may be nothing more than a placebo effect, but nevertheless the prominence of the drink shows the rise of the mocktail.
Bars and restaurants are also adapting and expanding their menus to include “no-proof,” or non-alcoholic options. This offers guests who are sober for one reason or another to still feel included in the fun. And it’s profitable for bars, so really it’s a win-win! Santa Barbara’s The Funk Zone, known for its artsy breweries and vibe, has a ton of restaurants with impressive non-alcoholic menus. The tiki bar Test Pilot, local favorite The Lark, Mexican-inspired Santo Mezcal, and cocktail bar Shaker’s Mill are just a few of the businesses adapting to this trend.
So, whether you are sober-curious, abstaining from alcohol or interested in trying something new, mocktails are the perfect drink to help you unwind at the end of the day. Over winter break, I spent a lot of nights with my family, all watching a movie together. On these nights, my family and I sampled a variety of mocktails to sip throughout the movie. Pouring a mocktail over ice in a fancy glass is not only healthy, it’s fun! And this is just the beginning — I think we are going to continue to see a lot more of mocktails.