In recent years, more people have been cutting back on alcohol, thanks to the rise of great-tasting alcohol-free drinks & an increasing desire to lead healthier lives. Growth in the sale of non-alcoholic drinks is expanding well beyond the traditional "Dry January" & “Sober October” challenges. The market is no longer filled with thin, flavorless alcohol-free options—shoppers now have access to full-bodied alcoholic drinks that taste like the real deal.
How Did Alcohol-Free Drinks Become So Popular?
New brewing techniques have made it possible to create alcohol-free drinks that maintain the flavour profile of traditional drinks without the alcohol content. This has opened the door to more options for people who want to reduce their alcohol consumption without compromising on taste.
The shift towards alcohol-free drinks can be attributed to growing awareness of alcohol's negative effects on health. Consumers are increasingly eager to avoid the downsides of alcohol, such as hangovers & long-term health risks. Recent studies show that health concerns & a desire for moderation are top motivators for choosing non-alcoholic beverages.
The Healthier Choice?
But how healthy are these non-alcoholic options? The primary harmful ingredient in alcoholic beverages is the alcohol itself, which is responsible for liver damage, dehydration, impaired judgement & even cancer risks. Once alcohol is almost entirely removed, these risks are reduced significantly, making alcohol-free drinks a healthier alternative for many.
Just because some drinks are low in alcohol doesn’t always mean they are a healthier nutritional choice. A lot of drinks with no (or less) alcohol are packed with nasty additives to help make them taste better. Non-alcoholic drinks usually contain fewer calories. However, it's important to choose options with lower sugar & fewer artificial ingredients to maximize their health benefits.
A New Drinking Trend: ‘Zebra Striping’
A growing trend, dubbed "zebra striping," is becoming popular among pub-goers. This involves alternating between alcoholic & alcohol-free drinks during a night out, allowing people to pace themselves without feeling left out of social situations. The world’s biggest brewers, including Guinness & Heineken, have jumped on board, launching zero-alcohol alternatives to meet the demand for moderation among health-conscious consumers.
What's in Non-Alcoholic Drinks?
The ingredients in beer: malt, hops, yeast & water, are also present in low- or no-alcohol beer. Both generally undergo some form of fermentation. However, if the alcohol content is kept at 0.5% or lower, the fermentation process must be stopped early. Some producers may also use methods like filtration or distillation to remove the alcohol after it is produced.
Other non-alcoholic drinks are made without using fermented ingredients in the production process. Producers start with a non-alcoholic base liquid (like water or juice) & layer on teas, spices, botanicals, vinegar, bitters & other flavorings.
The Big Picture: Is the World Drinking Less?
Non-alcoholic & low-alcohol beverages are gaining a notable share in the global drinks industry. As of 2023, these beverages account for approximately 3.5% of the total beverage alcohol market by volume. Many consumers who purchase non-alcoholic beverages also continue to buy alcohol, but they are making more conscious decisions about how much they consume.
In fact, beer consumption is at its lowest in a generation, particularly in the U.S., the world’s largest beer market. This trend is spreading across Europe too, where people generally drink less beer overall.
Alcohol-free alternatives are changing the way we drink, providing a healthier option for those who want to enjoy the social aspects of drinking without the negative effects. Whether it's cutting out alcohol entirely or adopting a balanced approach with ‘zebra striping,’ the future of drinking seems to be evolving—and for the better. You’re not going to drink 4 or 5 soft drinks on a night out whereas you can more comfortably sip away at an alcohol-free beer.
Drinking less — or not at all — is becoming more of a positive choice in some people’s lives, in the same way others try to exercise more or eat better.
Recipe #1 ~ Veggie Pizza With Lentil Crust
This is such a healthy pizza! It is quick to make & you can use any veg you have handy. It is high in protein (14g in the crust alone), low in carbs & calories & high in fibre. It’s not only gluten-free but also grain-free. Enjoy!!
Lentils are an inexpensive form of vegetarian protein & fibre touted by health experts for their ability to reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, promote fat metabolism & dampen appetites. Lentils are a resistant starch, a type of slow-digesting fibre. As it passes through our gut, resistant starch triggers the release of acetate. This is a molecule that tells the brain when to stop eating. A very valuable chemical!
Serves 4 slices
Ingredients
¾ cup/4oz dry split red lentils *See notes
¾ cup/150ml water
1 garlic clove/1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp dried oregano
Pinch of salt
Plus your choice of toppings. The ones used here are tomato puree, onion, mushrooms, corn, peas, red pepper & cheese.
Ingredients for Pizza Base
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4
Line a flat baking tray with parchment paper & grease with a little oil.
Add the lentils, water & seasonings to a blender. Process on high until smooth like a batter.
Pour the batter onto the baking tray & spread out thinly.
Place the baking tray on the bottom of the oven to increase the crispiness of the dough, for 12 minutes.
Take out the pizza crust. Turn it over & peel off the parchment paper.
Place the pizza crust back on the tray. Return it to the oven for another 5 minutes or until golden & crispy.
Top the pizza with any roasted or precooked veggies you have. Sprinkle your choice of cheese on top.
Return the pizza to the oven for 3-5 minutes.
Lentil crust ready for baking
A crunchy, colourful, filling pizza slice
Notes
Lentils: I used split red lentils which didn't require soaking. If you are using ordainary red lentils, soak them for at least 1 hour (can be left overnight if you want). Rinse & drain before use.
Pizza base: You can use tomato sauce or pesto as a base, but use sparingly so that the crust doesn’t become too moist.
Recipe #2 ~ Veggie Lentil Soup
If you think lentil soup has a boring reputation, you will change your mind after trying out this recipe. Brimming with a wholesome mix of veggies, lentils & warm spices this hearty lentil soup is the perfect antidote to a cold day. It is a one-pot wonder that tastes amazing!
Serves 4 approx
Ingredients
1 cup green lentils
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, sliced
1 can diced tomatoes
6 cups veg broth *See notes
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups spinach
1 tsp cumin (paprika is good too if you prefer)
½ tsp turmeric
¼ tsp salt & pepper
Coriander for garnish (optional)
Ingredients for Lentil Soup
Method
Sauté the onion, garlic & carrot in a little oil over a low heat in a large pot for 10 minutes.
Add in everything else (except the spinach) & bring the contents to the boil.
Reduce heat, cover & simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender.
Add spinach, stir until wilted.
Season with salt & pepper.
Garnish with coriander if desired.
Notes:
Lentils - I used organic green lentils but you can also use brown. These hold their shape & make soup with the best texture.
Veg Stock - If you don’t have any of your own stock, use 2 shop bought veg cubes with 6 cups of water.
Recipe #3 ~ Tarte Au Citron (Lemon Tart)
Now for dessert after all those lentils!
This delicious tangy lemon tart is surprisingly healthy. It has no refined sugar & you can get the healthy fats from the nut butter plus plenty of other nutrients, Vitamins E & B6, folate, niacin, magnesium, zinc, copper & potassium. The lemon zest gives the tart a beautiful flavour. You can top it with fruits or nuts of your choice, or simply leave it as it is.
Serves 6
Ingredients
For the Crumb Base
8/9 light digestive biscuits
¼ cup/20 almonds
1 egg white
2 Tbsps almond butter (or any butter you have)
Ingredients for Lemon Tart
For the Lemon Filling
¾ cup of Greek yogurt
¼ cup of milk
2 lemons, zested, plus juice of 1 half
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
2 Tbsps honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
Method for the Base
Preheat the oven to 300°F/150°C.
Zest the lemons & juice 1 half of a lemon
Separate 1 egg.
Lightly grease or oil an 8”/20cm loose bottomed cake tin.
Put the biscuits & almonds into a food processor & blitz until reduced to crumbs.
Add in the almond butter & egg white.
Transfer the crumb mixture to the tart tin & press down to cover the base.
Bake the tart case for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven & allow to cool.
Method for the Lemon Filling
Add the milk & lemon zest to a small saucepan & heat slowly until close to boiling.
Allow to cool slightly while beating the honey, eggs & egg yolk in a seperate bowl until frothy.
Using a mixer or whisk, slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture.
Stir in the vanilla essence & lemon juice.
Strain out or sieve the lemon zest, so that there aren’t big pieces to bite on. These can taste bitter when the tart is cooked.
Stir in the greek yogurt.
To Finish the Lemon Tart
Pour the filling into the baked tart case.
Return the tart tin to the oven & bake for 15 minutes or until the filling has set.
Allow to cool & chill until ready to serve.
Add whatever toppings you want.
Slice of lemon tart with fresh fruit
Enjoy!
This blog is for informational purposes only & should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any questions about your own nutrition plan, please consult your doctor.
