Crafted mocktails and specialty coffee redefine drinking culture

With the dry January wellness challenge almost over, many are thinking of switching to mocktails for more than just a month. Drinking today is more about taste and wellness than style, by swapping alcohol for mocktails and specialty coffee, loving fresh fruits, tangy spices, low sugar, and exotic flavours. It’s all about fun and healthy choices that fit a conscious lifestyle.

'Gen Z leads the trend, inspires older generations'

Jones Elish, beverage head at a popular country-wide cafe-bar, remarks on the trend and says, "Moments like Dry January may spark curiosity, but the preference for having good zero-proof options doesn’t disappear after that. Guests continue to order both cocktails and mocktails depending on the occasion, the time of day, or simply how long they plan to stay. It's about giving people options, not steering them in one direction."

Anhad Singh Sethi, who has been in the hospitality business for 15 years in NCR says, "Gen Z are the spokespeople for the trend. With their constant presence on digital platforms and social media, they’re more aware of what's happening globally. Their focus is firmly on health and wellness." He adds that the flavour palate is evolving, saying, "People are swaying away from the traditional mocktails like mint mojito and they're going for more specially curated ones." Drinks made with fresh passion fruit, elderflower, cranberry, watermelon, mango, orange, and teas like boba and kombucha are high in demand.

The trend shift paving way for coffee

Alongside mocktails, coffee culture too is undergoing a transformation. The awareness around coffee has significantly increased. People are experimenting with new beans and roasts. Restaurant owners notice an uptick in demand for coffee. Hospitality owners are taking note, including Ashish Ahuja, who runs a city pub and is planning to open a café. He says, "People come to the pub for cocktails. But we noticed this trend over the last couple of years where people are spending more time in cafes than restaurants. It's become more of a lifestyle choice. Rather than going for a meal, they're going for an experience."

A middle ground of sophisticated creations: Mixologist

The feel of a cocktail remains despite interest in healthier options. "While cocktails still appeal because of the alcohol kick, many guests now want healthier alternatives without missing out on the 'crafted drink' experience. That's where zero percent cocktails are gaining popularity and drinks that look, feel and taste like cocktails, complete with foams or sodas, but without alcohol," Sarthak Batra, mixologist and founder of a bar says, adding, "It's not just about mocktails anymore, but this new middle ground of sophisticated creations."

"Presentation matters, which is why a lot of our mocktails are served in a wine glass, giving people the feel of a luxury drink without the alcohol. They want to capture the moment in a certain way. It just feels good in your hand, a cucumber mint cooler in a wine glass," Dhruv Singh, owner of a farm-to-cup specialty coffee chain, says. "When mocktails offer depth, balance and complexity, much like cocktails, people are naturally more inclined to choose them. The decision doesn't feel restrictive anymore, it feels experiential," adds Jones.

Health fuels mocktail boom

After matcha's surge in popularity, people are looking for more health-conscious choices. "Many people are reducing or skipping alcohol not just because of medical reasons, but for lifestyle benefits like better skin, improved sleep, less lethargy, and no hangovers, essentially partying without guilt," Sarthak explains.

Dhruv Singh's brand has a variety of fruit-based options which are popular with breakfast. He says, "Customers like to have avocado toast with a fresh fruit mocktail or a fresh juice. Overall, people are making these choices because they want to live longer and have different goals in life. This shift cuts across age—it's happening with both older and younger people."