Artisan Adult Soda Market takes off

Fuelled by a growing number of non-drinkers and increasing publicity on overly sweetened soft drinks, a new category is emerging.

Soon consumers will have light, healthy and preservative free beverages to choose from.  No longer will the non-drinker have to settle for a boring bottle of designer water or reluctantly accept an iced tea or lemonade which  are often packed with  similar calories and sugar content to soft drinks.

While the UK has many artisan beverages, only a few exist in North America.   As Stewart points out below, UK pubs are now selling more NA (non-alcoholic) drinks than beer and we know the beer trucks in the US are welcoming NA drinks as well.

Operating like  Craft Beer, SIP Natural Craft Soda, opens their doors in this month to the Vancouver, BC marketplace offering  some stylish drinks for discerning grown ups.  SIP launches with three curious flavors – Lavender Lemon Peel,  Rosemary Lime and Coriander Orange.   Just as nature intended, SIP drinks are delicious, natural and untouched.   Made without  additives, colourings,enhancers ,preservatives, or shortcuts of any kind, each drink is very gently pasteurized to preserve the delicate character.

SIP ‘s  clean, modern and simple look reflects this light and healthy drink which is targeted at natural food stores , upscale supermarkets, cafes,  bars , nightclubs and caterers.

A refreshing change

Simon Stewart, Marketing Director at Britvic

Adult soft drinks continue to offer a big opportunity for pubs that have turned to the category and food to drive their sales.  A clear indication of the opportunity, as highlighted in the recently launched Britvic Soft Drinks Report, is that soft drinks sales have overtaken spirits in the on-trade for the first time, largely due to their high purchase incidence with meals.”

Mintel International Group Ltd.

Although small, this market is growing quickly and is now worth £105million. Premium soft drinks are more upmarket, adult soft drinks which usually come in premium packaged glass bottles and generally contain natural, more unusual and better quality ingredients
* Demand for more adult/better quality soft drinks has grown from, among other things: a rise in ABC1s, meaning that as many as seven in ten now think it is “worth paying extra for quality goods” (TGI data)