What to Expect in No-Lo Spirits this Christmas 

Whether you enjoy a traditional mulled wine, a warming hot toddy, or a creamy eggnog, for years alcohol has been a staple of the festive season. Christmas has often been paired with alcohol due to increased socialising and the indulgent nature of the season. The spirit sector sees a surge, with data showing drinks sales up 7% year-on-year, as consumers revelled in the festive spirit. 

With an increasing health-focussed consumer base, no-lo (referring to non and low alcohol) has made its mark on the spirit sector. The sector has a growth forecast of 8% for 2021-2025. Increasing numbers of drinkers are switching to no-lo for the festive season for health and wellbeing benefits. Developments in the non-alcoholic sector have allowed brands to match flavour, mouthfeel, and experience, with their alcoholic counterparts. 

There is no doubt that no-lo is here to stay, but what kind of impact can we expect on our traditionally loved Christmas drinks? 

Festive SKUs: Bottling the Taste of Christmas 

The alcoholic traditions of Christmas are certainly changing, but are the flavours? At the coldest time of the year, traditional festive flavours have been carefully chosen for their warming qualities. Today these spices and flavours feel nostalgic and synonymous with the season. The warmth of cinnamon and the comforting taste of vanilla– these are not only the flavours, but the sentiments that have defined Christmas for decades.  

The non-alcoholic sector now offers a plethora of festive choices for consumers. From traditional tastes to contemporary experiments, brands have been releasing Christmas SKUs for all palates.  

CleanCo is a versatile non-alcoholic brand that prides itself on standing shoulder-to-shoulder with its alcoholic counterparts. Versatile, enjoyable and mixable, these no-lo alternatives are designed to be swapped out with their alcoholic counterparts. 

They created their versatile SKUs so consumers can enjoy their traditional recipes, with no compromise on flavour. Their Clean W is the perfect festive SKU, equal to a warm, wintery whiskey, perfect for the cold Christmas weather. Whether it’s a cosy evening by the fire, or a lively holiday party, Clean W is ideal for the festive season.  

Embodying their ethos of ‘Live tonight, thrive tomorrow’ their new edition of glass packaging reflects it with a pledge for a greener future. Crafted by Verallia, their new sleek, sustainable glass bottle incorporates excellent embossing on the sides for a tactile, premium feel. CleanCo’s new bottle uses 180 fewer pallets in packaging, saving over 12,000 miles in transportation, reducing their environmental impact. This is packaging excellence. 

Raising the Bar: Non-Alcoholic Beverages for Festive Gatherings 

The festive season is known as a period of socialising, with 86% of adults spending time with friends and family. No-lo spirits look to create an experience for customers that matches the socialising aspect of drinking. Quality spirits, with exceptional packaging that consumers are proud to display at social events and to showcasing for special occasions. 

Three Spirit create an experience specifically for socialising, with their Social Elixir. With a taste and mouthfeel to match an alcoholic spirit, this non-alcoholic option is composed of natural botanicals and designed to be a mood-booster. Three Spirit is presented in an opulent packaging that consumers can present at any social occasion. Reflecting their commitment to sustainability, this packaging is crafted from primarily recycled glass and is lightweight, meaning less energy is required in the manufacturing process. 

Echoing their passion for botanical alchemy, their sustainable bottle emulates a historical medicine bottle. Elevating their bottle with decoration, Three Spirit opted for UV and organic inks to create their bespoke design. The triangles on the centre-face reflects the mood of each drink, for example, their ‘Livener’ drink has an upwards triangle. Innovating with taste and presentation, this spirit gives no-lo drinkers an excellent socialising experience, perfect for the festive season. 

Low Impact, Festive Spirits: No-Lo and Sustainability

High on the consumer agenda, sustainability has been prevalent in the no-lo sector. Conscious consumption is an ethos shared across the no-lo industry, and more no-lo brands look to implement sustainable packaging across their products. Over the festive period around 13,350 tonnes of glass is discarded, making sustainable packaging a priority for non-alcoholic brands. 

Our ECOVA range includes high-calibre glass packaging that is optimised for a sustainable future. Suited to every spirit, our collection has a variety of premium glass bottles that sit proudly on any bar.  

However, sustainability is what sets our ECOVA range apart. Weighing just 500g, our team of experts have eco-designed some of the lightest cork mouth bottles in Europe, requiring less energy during production. Composed of 50% recycled glass and designed to reduced packaging in transportation – this range is a dedication to a sustainable future. 

 

Looking to develop your no-lo brand? Discuss with a member of our team today.