The Hakkasan Group of restaurants is cashing in on the alcohol-free craze with a new list of drinks that include wood-infused water, salted juices and a new Mai-Shin category. The new list of menu additions was devised by the group's head of wine, Christine Parkinson, in an effort to acknowledge the lack of premium non-alcoholic options available in the group's restaurants. The list of new Hakkasan Group menu additions include 29 drinks, each of which were crafted Parkinson, with head of bar Eder Neto and the group's chef, researcher and developer James Morgan.
Of the new additions, three drinks stand out among the rest. The Mai-Shinn is a rice and tea infusion that is quite similar to an alcohol-free sake. The varieties of Mai-Shinn on the list include the Sukkkiri and Mattari. Also featured on the list is a range of drinking vinegars, which combine fruit based vinegar with sparkling water and fruit flavorings. The final set of drinks are a selection of tree waters. These unique beverages include the Ogam Bottled Wood, a wood-infused water from France, and Akashi Tai ‘cider,’ which is imported exclusively from Japan.
Unique Non-Alcoholic Beverages
The Hakkasan Group is Revamping It's Non-Alcoholic Drinks List
Trend Themes
1. Premium Non-alcoholic Options - The lack of premium non-alcoholic options in restaurants presents an opportunity for innovative beverage offerings.
2. Creative Infused Waters - Infusing water with unique flavors like wood can offer a disruptive twist to the traditional beverage market.
3. Drinking Vinegars - Combining fruit-based vinegar with sparkling water and fruit flavorings can create refreshing non-alcoholic beverages that cater to health-conscious consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can capitalize on the growing demand for premium non-alcoholic beverages by expanding their menu offerings and providing unique drink experiences.
2. Beverage - The beverage industry can explore opportunities for creative infused waters and drinking vinegars to meet the evolving preferences of health-conscious consumers looking for unique and refreshing non-alcoholic options.
3. Imported Goods - Importing unique beverages like Japanese Akashi Tai 'cider' can open up new markets and disrupt the non-alcoholic beverage industry with exotic flavors.