Mocktails have been predicted as one of the biggest food and drink trends for next year, but don’t let that trick you into thinking they’re something new. These alcohol-free beverages have always been around and their rise in popularity is simply a reflection of the health-conscious era we live in.
Despite their trendy name, mocktails are simply non-alcoholic mixed drinks, and the only thing that makes them different from regular cocktails is that they contain no alcohol. Popular cocktails Shirley Temple and Roy Rogers, which have been around for decades, fall under this category.
So why are mocktails suddenly being included on countless lists of biggest food trends for next year? Today “blames” it on wellness-obsessed millennials, who are abstaining from drinking alcohol and looking for healthier alternatives.
This shift in consumer habits already led to a rise of non-alcoholic beers in the past few years, and bars and restaurants are trying to keep up with the times.
The days when non-alcoholic options on their menu were limited to juice, tea and coffee are gone, and mocktails are making it possible to enjoy something more extravagant during brunch with your friends or even a night out.