Whether you’re taking part in dry January, looking for a healthier alternative to alcohol or interested in the sober curious movement, non-alcoholic beverages, sometimes known as mocktails are making their way into homes, restaurants and bars, and other places where people gather across Atlanta.
According to NCSolutions , more Americans (about 41%) planned to cut back on drinking in 2024. As for Gen Z, 61% planned to drink less and even 49% of millennials also planned to cut back. Their reasons ranged from saving money to improving mental and physical health. And it appears this trend may continue.
Because of this trend, there is a growing popularity of nonalcoholic drinks. As a result, the nonalcoholic beverage industry is experiencing tremendous growth. Mari Geier, owner of Nuts ‘n Berries in nearby Brookhaven, has seen the growth in the trend firsthand, and as THE local health food store, Mari says it’s exciting to see. “In the functional beverage category there are probably 60 to 70 new companies every month,” she says. “It’s the fastest growing sub-category that I’ve ever seen.”
In 2024 the health food store opened its Booze Free Bevie shop, and this year they have plans to expand it. Mari says anything that you would typically consume from an alcohol standpoint, whether it’s wine or beer or liquor, they are creating and curating a subset of that with nonalcoholic options that also includes functional beverages that have ingredients that lift or elevate, like adaptogens, without impairment. This includes beverages with CBD and other hemp products and are considered booze-free. “I vet every single one of them to make sure that they actually taste like the alcohol versions,” Mari says.
But like everything else in the store, health is top priority, so they don’t carry any of the nonalcoholic versions that use food dyes or GMOs. “We have to be very careful about vetting our vendors to make sure the ingredients fit our standards.” The nonalcoholic beverages in the Booze Free Bevie Shop at Nuts ‘n Berries are no exception.
Mari says that Nuts ‘n Berries already has a lot in store for the Booze Free Bevie Shop coming in 2025. “We’re launching an entire mocktail menu where we'll teach people how to blend their own drinks,” Mari says. And she adds that you can get really creative with your nonalcoholic drink. Simple functional drinks can be used as a base. Kombucha, for example, has a taste that can range from bitter and sour to sweet, and some kombucha tastes similar to beer, so you could start with that. Some people are watching calories and looking at sugar content. “I think the mixing of flavors is really where you can get super creative depending on what kind of flavor you like,” Mari adds. “You can customize your drink to whatever situation you’re in.”
If you’re looking for a canned beverage, Nuts ‘n Berries carries a wide variety including Mingle, Recess, Parch, Betty Buzz, and more. And they offer a variety of dealcoholized wines that Mari explains has gone through a reverse osmosis process to remove the alcohol, but you can still get a taste of the flavor. “The whites are pretty solid, but finding a red that actually tastes like a Cabernet can be very difficult,” Mari says. “We found this one company that does an amazing job with a sparkling wine that is just lovely. It’s like a Prosecco.” They plan to hold tastings in the store so shoppers can buy the brands they really enjoy.
Even those of us sipping alcohol free drinks want to look festive at social gatherings, so don’t forget to finish off your nonalcoholic beverage with the perfect glassware and garnish. Mari says incorporating fruit or olives can dress up your alcohol-free concoction or adding a lemon or lime wheel to a margarita or a sprig of mint to a mojito can also do the trick. And as Nuts ‘n Berries expands the Booze Free Bevie Shop in 2025, Mari says they plan to add cute, locally made glassware that will be great for gifts.
Mari says one of the values that Nuts ‘n Berries has is the belief that having fun and socializing is part of living a healthy lifestyle. "We feel like we’ve found the solution to help people feel social and part of a group. It’s very encouraging to see more young people coming into the health food store looking to make choices that are smart and support their long-term health,” she said. “We just want to be able to provide a solution to people looking for that alternative. We really want to be the experts in supporting those looking to live a healthier lifestyle.”
For more information about the new Booze Free Bevie Shop at Nuts ‘n Berries, tastings and other events, visit nutsnberries.com.
"We just want to be able to provide a solution to people looking for that alternative. We really want to be the experts in supporting those looking to live a healthier lifestyle." Mari Geier, owner of Nuts 'n Berries