How the Sober Curious Movement is Raising the Bar for NOLO Brands

Modern consumers have entered a new era. Conscious consumption in the spirit sector is making waves and driving the latest consumer habits. From a culture of socialising, drinking in abundance and celebration to a more mindful, moderated moment of indulgence. In today’s fast-paced society, for a rising number of drinkers, wellness is taking the lead.

Non-alcoholic/low alcohol (known as NoLo) drinks have accelerated and made way for the sober curious movement, referring to individuals intentionally living with less or no alcohol, often to aid wellness. Non-alcoholic drinks are providing sophisticated options for teetotallers. Gone are the days where consumers could only choose from soft drinks or sugary mocktails, crafting NoLo spirits is a wave many heavyweight brands are harnessing.

The Rise of Non-Alcoholic/NoLo Drinks

The success of NoLo is being driven by many various elements. Taking a closer look at conscious consumerism, we can see that much of this change is being driven by the younger generation becoming of drinking age. Gen Z are demanding sophisticated alternatives for alcoholic beverages, with the non-alcoholic category surpassing $11 billion in 2022. With more caution around health and wellbeing, less association of drinking with socialising, Gen Z are setting newer sober standards.

Also driving NoLo growth is new trends such as ‘zebra striping’, referring to the practise of alternating alcoholic beverages with NoLo drinks in the same session, allowing consumers to drink less alcohol with no compromise on taste or experience. With many brands working hard to deliver high-quality taste

What Consumers Expect Beyond the Liquid

Packaging plays a pivotal role in shaping the NOLO experience, offering consumers a premium feel that rivals its alcoholic counterparts. In its early stages, NOLO packaging often mirrored the design cues of traditional spirits. But as the category matures and consumer motivations diversify, there’s greater freedom for creativity and differentiation.

To truly connect with today’s mindful drinker, packaging must resonate with their values, telling a compelling story, reflecting a desirable lifestyle, and establishing a clear identity. For NOLO brands, this is a vital opportunity to convey sophistication, credibility, and modernity. Packaging should deliver more than functionality; it should offer a refined, ritualistic experience that aligns seamlessly with the lifestyle being promised.

Our glassmaking experts have delivered flawless packaging that supports the premium experience of a NoLo spirit, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with its alcoholic counterparts. We have produced premium glass bottles for brands such as CleanCo, Pentire Drinks, and Bax Botanics.

Elevating NOLO with Sustainable Packaging

Glass packaging perfectly delivers on the goals of NoLo brands, providing a sustainable and stylish experience for consumers. Appealing to the modern sentiment of conscious consumption, glass offers infinite recyclability as well as timeless sophistication.

Three Spirit is offering meticulously crafted herbal elixirs that rely on botanical alchemy to provide a flavour experience like no other, with mood-enhancing benefits. This brand has a perfectly crafted elixir to suit each occasion, from socialising to unwinding, it effortlessly blends into modern, wellness-driven lifestyles.

Our expert glassmakers flawlessly curated Three Spirits’ glass packaging. Leaning into their passion for botanical alchemy, the bottle’s shorter body and neck references an apothecary bottle. As mentioned previously, this is a prime example of packaging being used to tell the brand’s story, conveying their expertise of forging science with drinks, and the elixir’s suitability to a health-conscious lifestyle.

To align even further with their conscious consumers, the bottle is primarily composed of recycled glass and weighs significantly less than their previous bottle. This not only reduces the energy required in manufacturing, but also in transportation. Elegantly decorating their bottles, we applied UV organic inks to align with their sustainable credentials.

Where Packaging Meets Purpose

The sober curious movement is not only fuelling growth in the non-alcoholic drinks sector, but also redefining the values consumers look for in their drink of choice. Today’s mindful drinkers are seeking more than a refined flavour; they want products that reflect their identity, ethos, and aspirations. For NoLo brands, that means packaging must do more than look good, it must carry meaning.

At Verallia, we believe packaging should deliver both form and function, capturing the essence of the brand while elevating the consumer experience. Our premium packaging offers sustainable sophistication. As seen with trailblazers like Three Spirit, packaging becomes a visual and tactile reflection of brand purpose and consumer values.

Our latest breakthrough in sustainable glass packaging will set a new standard for non-alcoholic brands. Vista by Verallia is our first glass, responsibly composed from 100% post-consumer recycled glass. For brands looking to integrate sustainability into their brand, products Vista glass allows for creative freedom that aligns with sustainable responsibility – resonating deeply with the new wave of ethically-driven drinkers.

 

With conscious consumers redefining indulgence, moderation, and quality, the demand for sustainable, story-led design will only increase.

Let’s raise the bar for non-alcoholic drinks

Partner with Verallia to shape your next bottle, one that resonates with modern drinkers and builds a more sustainable future.