We’re well into 2023 now, and the entire Verallia team has spent the beginning of the year discussing the upcoming drinks trends and what will fill the shoes of the Negroni Sbagliato boom of 2022.  

From a rum renaissance to luxury packaging taking the market by storm, 2023 is set to be a showstopper year in the drinks industry. Keep scrolling to find out what our experts’ predictions are for three trends in the year ahead…

The Return of Rum

Rum has been edging on being the next showstopper drink on the market for a while now, and its time has finally come. Rum sales in the UK have reached an astronomical £1 billion a year, surpassing whiskey and now holding 11.3% of the spirits category. The rise in popularity of rum has come hand-in-hand with the premiumisation of the spirit and a huge rise in the popularity of spiced rums.  

No longer tied down to the spirit and mixer category (we’re looking at you, rum and coke fans), rum is now increasingly being drunk neat or over ice. Rum is also now making strong, regular appearances on menus at prestigious cocktail bars across the UK, some of our personal favourites are a Por Mi Amante or a class Mai Thai.  

Next Up; NOLO

The drink of the health conscious, no and low alcohol (NOLO) drinks began gaining a rapid increase in popularity in 2022, and there are no signs of that slowing. The rise of the NOLO market has been led by careful consideration of the taste of the drinks. Brands offering NOLO alternatives have taken the time to create drinks that almost perfectly resemble consumers’ favourite tipples. But the taste revolution doesn’t end there, NOLO drinks are leading the way with some of the most out-the-box flavours going, enticing consumers into trying something new.  

Not to mention, with alcohol containing 57 calories per unit, those on a health kick are increasingly turning to NOLO drinks as an alternative when visiting their local.  

With the cost-of-living crisis leaving consumers looking to spend less on alcohol, you may think that luxury brands will suffer. But the opposite is true. It is predicted that 2023 will be the year of quality over quantity and that, due to consumers going out or buying their favourite bottle of gin less often, consumers will be looking out for those luxury experiences when they do indulge.  

Nothing builds luxury around your tipple of choice quite like glass packaging. Whether it’s a premium standard bottle decorated to perfection, or a bespoke bottle that flawlessly emulates your brand, premiumisation within the drinks market is largely built around packaging. Gift boxes bring full experiences to the buyer, whilst perfectly crafted glass presents a sophisticated edge.  

In each and every trend prediction we have for the 2023 drinks market, one thing is clear, and that is that the love for stunningly crafted glass to package your product is more prevalent than ever. The design, shape and decoration is the difference needed to ensure your bottle stands out on the shelves.  

At hy phoenix, we work alongside brands to develop distinctive designs that reflect your message and give a competitive edge in the market, elevating your brand with prestigious, striking glass.  

 If you are looking to breathe life into your brand, get in contact with a member of the team.