Sipping Sustainably: Booze, No-Booze, and the Future of Drinking
September 2025, By Katie Brown
The drinks world is having a bit of an identity crisis. On one hand, people still love their wine, beer, and spirits. On the other, more of us are reaching for low- or no-alcohol alternatives than ever before. Add in a growing obsession with sustainability, and suddenly your choice at the bar feels less like a habit and more like a statement.
The NoLo Boom
Low- and no-alcohol (aka NoLo) drinks are no longer a niche for “designated drivers.” They’re stylish, tasty, and surprisingly popular. The global market is growing at around 6% a year, fuelled by health-conscious, eco-minded drinkers. It’s not just beer either – you can now find sparkling wines, botanical spirits, and craft-style lagers that happen to be alcohol-free.
What’s interesting is that this sober shift often comes hand-in-hand with sustainability. Many NoLo brands are proudly local, use lighter packaging, and build their image around being greener. Choosing not to drink can suddenly feel like a lifestyle choice for both body and planet.
But Alcohol Isn’t Going Anywhere
That said, traditional booze isn’t disappearing – it’s just adapting. Producers know the pressure is on to cut waste, emissions, and excess packaging:
- Winemakers are lightening bottles, slashing carbon tied up in glass.
- Brewers are recycling water, switching to renewable energy, and experimenting with greener ingredients.
- Distilleries are finding second lives for by-products – think biofuel, fertiliser, even powering their own operations.
The end goal? A pint or a cocktail you can enjoy without the side order of environmental guilt.
Why It Matters
Alcohol production is tightly bound to nature. Grapes, grains, hops, and botanicals are all sensitive to shifting climates. Too hot, too wet, too dry, and suddenly your favourite drink is harder (or pricier) to make. That’s why sustainability isn’t just marketing spin – it’s survival strategy.
In that sense, the rise of NoLo is helping set the pace. By pushing for innovation and reshaping what “drinking” means, it’s nudging the whole industry to think more carefully about its footprint. Meanwhile, established players are scaling up green initiatives out of necessity.
The Takeaway
Whether you’re pouring a zero-alcohol spritz or a full-bodied red, the future of drinking is looking lighter, greener, and more thoughtful. Sustainability isn’t a passing trend – it’s the common thread tying both sides of the market together.
In short: you’ll still get your buzz if you want it, but you’ll probably get a healthier planet along with it.
At MM-Eye, we can help your brands navigate exactly these kinds of shifts – whether that’s understanding how consumers balance indulgence and moderation, or what sustainability really means to different audiences. With more people rethinking their relationship with alcohol and demanding greener choices, there’s never been a more important time to listen carefully and act decisively. By blending sharp consumer insight with a deep understanding of changing markets, we can help drinks brands – alcoholic or alcohol-free – find their place in this new, more sustainable future.
Contact us today at info@mm-eye.com or use the form below to book a consultation.