How 2018 Changed the Way We Drink

It’s no secret that with each passing year, new trends emerge and our society is always evolving. Leaders in every industry pay close attention to these shifting trends, and every industry is constantly evolving to keep up with our ever-changing needs and desires.

Now that 2018 has come to an end, let’s take a quick look at a some of the ways the alcohol industry has changed this year.

We finally realized how much plastic straws suck…(no pun intended) 

A sudden surge in media coverage surrounding the detrimental effects of single-use plastics on the environment quickly caused plastic straws to become a taboo this year. The anti-straw movement seems to be more than just a passing trend, as food and beverage industry leaders all over the world have already set deadlines to eliminate single-use plastics from their practices completely. Who knows? Maybe 2019 will be the year we decide to ditch plastic straws for good.

CBD joined the party!

The legalization of cannabis added a whole new element to the food and beverage industry. CBD oils and tinctures became a popular ingredient that bartenders and baristas could use to enhance their beverages for an entirely new consumer experience. Guests at Gracias Madre in San Francisco can now enjoy innovative new twists on classic cocktails, like the Stoney Negroni and the Rolled Fashioned. It’s safe to assume the list of ways cannabis can be incorporated into this industry will only continue to grow throughout the new year.

Mocktails are still having a moment.

The variety of non-alcoholic beverages available to consumers continued to expand this year as the demand for more exciting options for the non-drinker increased. Low ABV beverages and mocktails allow consumers to enjoy the complexity of a craft cocktail without the added effects of alcohol. Brands like Seedlip even increased their range of non-alcoholic spirits, which can enhance a mocktail with interesting flavours and aromas that can’t be found in traditional juices and syrups. With the way things are progressing, 2019 is sure to be filled with many more exciting innovations for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

To read more about drinking trends from 2018, click here >>>

For access to hundreds of cocktail & mocktail recipes you can try in 2019, click here >>>