Claire Warner: The Evolution of No & Low Alcohol Drinks

As co-founder of Æcorn and Board Member of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, Claire Warner shares insights into the transforming landscape of no and low-alcohol beverages at IWSC.

A Category Coming of Age
The category is becoming easier to define. We're seeing category-defining products emerging year after year, which helps shape and refine it further. This maturation reflects a significant shift in how no and low-alcohol drinks are perceived and produced.

Innovation Driving Growth
The sector is experiencing remarkable development, particularly in spirits, liqueurs, and aperitifs. We're seeing significant growth in the no and low alcohol sector, with a lot more innovation and creativity. These products are taking aperitifs in completely new directions.

Quality Through Technology
A key development has been the advancement in production methods. Technology is improving, and producers are holding themselves to much higher standards. It's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. This improvement in quality is making the judging process more rigorous and rewarding.

The Wine Revolution
One of the most exciting developments is in non-alcoholic wines. Wine is now seriously catching up. Historically, we might have had 20-30 no and low-alcohol wines in the competition, but in just the last two days, we've judged over 100. Wine is absolutely one to watch in this space.

Beyond Alternatives
The category is moving beyond simple substitution. We're seeing producers being very imaginative in capturing consumers' attention who are already interested in no and low, but perhaps want to experience something very different. This includes the development of specialised mixers designed specifically for no and low-alcohol drinks.

The Medal Standard
Winning an IWSC medal represents exceptional achievement. What it takes to win a medal is real attention to detail, quality ingredients, and an ability to sense the craft and care of that producer. We want the consumer to really appreciate and love this category as much as we do."