During a lively Friday night in Ottawa’s Hintonburg neighborhood, Sophia Marco peruses the drink menu at her nearby bar.
Surrounded by friends enjoying cocktails and beer, she contemplates the mocktail choices, priced at approximately $14 to $15 per glass.
In 2020, Marco decided to abstain from alcohol due to how it affected her, yet she still relishes a night out with a well-crafted drink.
Transitioning to non-alcoholic alternatives, she notices that mocktails often come at a similar price point to cocktails, which surprises her.
More Canadians are seeking non-alcoholic beverage options, leading Toronto businesses to cater more to this expanding community. Sarah Kate, the founding editor of the non-alcoholic lifestyle magazine SomeGoodCleanFun, discusses with CBC’s Madi Wong why there is a heightened demand for non-alcoholic beverage options and events.
Across Canada, the non-alcoholic beverage market is thriving as more individuals seek ways to socialize without alcohol. However, opting for alcohol-free does not necessarily equate to lower costs.
Reflecting on her initial experiences, Luba Khalil notes, “When I began ordering mocktails or non-alcoholic drinks, I was taken aback. I assumed the alcohol was the expensive component. But now, I’ve come to accept that everything is costly these days.”
All about the process, not the proof
The production of non-alcoholic drinks is not necessarily simpler or cheaper than traditional beverages.
According to Mathieu Gagnon, the co-founder of Sober Carpenter, a Montreal-based brewery specializing in non-alcoholic beer, the process is more intricate than commonly perceived.
Gagnon explains, “We utilize the same ingredients used in beer production. The only difference is we halt the fermentation before it exceeds 0.5 percent.”