Festive Aperitif: The Nolo Trend
The end of year celebrations are approaching and many of us are wondering what to drink at Christmas? Perhaps you are looking for what cocktail to serve to your guests for Christmas Eve... But have you heard about the nolo trend, these drinks and cocktails with little or no alcohol? We suggest you discover these new trendy drinks, their advantages and disadvantages.
A growing trend in bars and restaurants
Even in bars, restaurants and parties with friends, the consumption of non-alcoholic beverages is becoming more and more popular. These new aperitifs are called nolo, a term derived from the contraction of 'no alcohol' and 'low alcohol by volume'.
The 'nolo' trend is driven by a rather young public in search of a healthier lifestyle. In parallel, we note that the Dry January launched in 2020 in France is increasingly successful year after year...
A growing range of products
Of course, non-alcoholic drinks are not new. But their taste has improved a lot and the choice has expanded a lot for everyone who wants to follow the nolo trend.
In the department of aperitifs, beers, wines but also cocktails and spirits, manufacturers have adapted their recipes to meet this new consumer demand.
With abstinence or moderation in fashion, one can now find in supermarkets, online and in specialized cellars and bars perfect substitutes for alcoholic beverages.
All of these drinks taste very similar to the original beverage and are sold with a lot of marketing, for example in the form of festive boxes and really bluffing nolo packs.
Beverages that are not without their faults
If you must avoid alcohol altogether, be sure to check the labels, as most so-called 'alcohol-free' drinks in stores still contain a little bit (up to 1.2%).
These low-alcohol drinks are contraindicated for pregnant or nursing women. Only products with 0% alcohol on the label are safe for the fetus.
Also be aware that nolo drinks may contain a lot of sugar. Even though these beverages are still lower in calories than traditional spirits, most non-alcoholic spirits contain artificial sugars and flavors intended to mimic the taste of the original drink.
Doctors and addictologists have mixed feelings about these drinks. Indeed, these new products maintain some confusion with alcoholic beverages, especially in terms of packaging.
A good idea for a more sober New Year's Eve
However, the nolo trend is still a good idea if you want to offer a less alcoholic party appetizer than usual.
In particular, you can feature craft beverages like 0% craft beers from Frogbeer or Le Petit Béret or Elixia Jura lemonades by flavoring them with mint or other fresh herbs.
For a non-alcoholic but not tasteless aperitif, you can also opt for artisanal ginger beers and organic lemonades infused with rosemary from the Ricochet brand.
If you have a juice extractor at home, you can of course offer homemade vegetable juices to be drunk fresh through a straw. And to surprise your guests, why not end the evening in zen mode with a CBD-infused sparkling water from Chilled?
