The mocktail industry is booming, but some meeting planners are looking for healthier alternatives to non-alcoholic beverages.
It’s all about sugar.
Mocktails may contain large amounts of juice, soda, syrup, and high-fructose corn syrup. Therefore, a beverage category created to improve people’s health may not be as healthy.
One thing’s for sure: planners who don’t drink them certainly don’t want to serve them. “I don’t drink a lot, and I don’t always want to drink mocktails. They’re too high in sugar,” said Beverly Hastings, a meeting planner for the Florida Endocrine Society. “I’ve always appreciated the other options — there are so many unique sodas and teas out there now.
We asked 10 planners for some creative alternatives to the same old mocktail.
1. Decorate it
“‘Decorate’ is fun. I let participants decorate their own water or soda with various decorations.
Jennifer Murphy, Vice President, Meetings and Incentives, Atlas Travel
2. Floral drinks
“I love drinks with floral notes, like sorrel hibiscus. This is spiced hibiscus tea with sparkling water or tonic, which has a beautiful red color and a hint of spiced tea flavor. Add a small edible flower on top flower.
Ronni Burns, Senior Manager, Meeting Planning and Events, Tuppwerware
3. Dessert drinks
“Dessert drinks are fun and can be enjoyed by everyone. Those who want alcohol can add it, and those who don’t can leave it as is. Everyone’s drink looks the same, and they can talk about how delicious it is, so no one feels left out outer.
Ginger Taylor, Event Operations Manager, ETC Network
4. Supplements and Teas
“In addition to mocktails, my favorite non-alcoholic drinks include: Fever Tree mixed drinks, Topo Chico, flavored ginger beer, and flavored green iced tea.”
Yolanda Hamer, Event Manager, Streamlinevents
5. Smoothie Shooter
“Smoothie shooters are always a fun option, or even a smoothie bar with drinks like alcoholic cocktails served in martini glasses or low rocks glasses.”
Ashley Patton, Marketing Manager, Trade Show and Event Operations, Kastle Systems
6. Kombucha Keg
“Kombucha kegs (a container that holds kombucha and is dispensed in a keg using a draft system similar to beer and wine) were popular at an event I attended recently.”
Shannon Ryan, associate director, National Comprehensive Cancer Network Conference
7. Zero concentration alcohol
“I actually like the zero-proof libations currently available. You can find all kinds of delicious options that come very close to the taste of vodka, gin, Old Fashioneds, Bloody Marys, and more. There are also some great zero-proof sparkling wine options.
Josh Adams, Industry Relations Strategist, Streamlinevents
8. Coconut water
“I offer a selection of coconut water, both plain and in different flavors.”
Sonia Ciarlo, Cisco Events Manager
9. Sommelier
“I invited a ‘water sommelier’ who taught me some valuable insights about different types of water – both sparkling and unflavored. It added a unique touch to the experience.
Magdalena Schneider, senior events manager at Moore & Carlyle Consulting
10. Functional drinks
“Consider functional drinks, which are beverages formulated with added ingredients to promote specific health outcomes, such as improving digestion, increasing mental clarity, boosting immunity, or boosting energy levels. For example, adaptogenic drinks, which contain ashwagandha Herbs and mushrooms such as , reishi and maca, which are believed to help the body adapt to stress; CBD-infused drinks containing cannabidiol, which is said to provide calming effects without the psychoactive properties of THC; and nootropic drinks, which are formulated of ingredients thought to enhance cognitive function, concentration, and memory.
David T. Stevens, co-founder of the Olympia Conference
