New Instacart Report Shares Just How Popular Booze-Free Cocktails Are

According to new data from Instacart, mocktails are having a moment. Over the past few years, consumers have increasingly turned to alcohol-free options to fuel parties and summer adventures, and it doesn't seem like the trend will slow down anytime soon.

The increased acceptance of nonalcoholic drinks comes at a time when many people are reassessing their relationship with alcohol. According to The New Yorker, alcohol sales have been on the decline since 2016, as newer research has complicated the long-held idea that it's healthy to consume alcohol in moderation. Between 2019 and 2021, the amount of Americans who drank alcohol shrunk from 65% to 60% (via Gallup).

The Instacart data — which revealed information about alcohol-related trends across generations — was collected via an online survey by The Harris Poll between May 3 and May 5, 2022. The survey was completed by 2,007 participants, all of whom live in the United States and are at least 21 years of age. Among the 2,000 or so respondents, 1,579 reported that they actively consume alcoholic beverages.

While the data shows that most people are still drinking alcohol, the sales of nonalcoholic beverages (meaning alcohol-free versions of beer, wine, and spirits) have climbed significantly over the past year. According to Instacart, this shift in consumer habits can be attributed to several factors, including an increased emphasis on one's health and wellbeing.

According to Instacart's survey data, nonalcoholic beverage sales have surged in the 12-month period between April 2021 and 2022. Specifically, alcohol-free beer has seen a growth of 35%, while nonalcoholic wine saw a 42% increase. Nonalcoholic spirits have seen the most dramatic spike in demand, with a 203% increase since last year.

There are several factors that have contributed to the meteoric rise of nonalcoholic beverages. Per Instacart's report, 57% of participants who consume alcohol expressed interest in drinking nonalcoholic beverages this upcoming summer. Of that group, 49% of respondents attributed their interest in nonalcoholic drinks to a desire for healthier beverage options. Other popular reasons for trying nonalcoholic beverages included wanting to cut back on alcohol consumption (34%), actually enjoying the taste of mocktails (33%), and the desire to drink their favorite alcoholic beverages without the nasty effects of a hangover the next day (44%).

If you'd like to see what the booze-free fuss is about, we think this watermelon-chamomile mocktail is the perfect way to kick off summer, sans hangover.