Deepavali parties are synonymous with lavish spreads, sparkling guests, and tables laden with sweets, savory treats, and a bar to complement the feast. But what if you could reimagine your Diwali celebration with a refreshing NoLo (no alcohol-low alcohol) twist? A significant shift is underway, with Gen Z opting for much less alcohol than millennials, preferring lower ABV (alcohol per volume) beverages. This trend is evident in market projections: Precedence Research forecasts the global non-alcoholic beverages market to soar from $1.41 trillion in 2025 to $2.68 trillion by 2034. In India alone, the NoLo segment is already valued at ₹67,000 crore, expected to more than double by 2030. To help you navigate this exciting shift, we’ve gathered insights from leading bartenders, industry experts, and mixologists on how to curate a bar menu that’s bursting with flavor and leaves you with joyful memories, not hangovers.
Flavors Without the Spirit
Vikram Achanta, a prominent figure as the founder and CEO of Tulleeho and co-founder of 30BestBarsIndia and India Bartender Week, advocates for simplicity and personal control. He notes, “People are actively experimenting with how they celebrate, giving them greater command over their drinks. They can fine-tune the alcohol content, sweetness, or specific flavors to perfectly match their preferences.” He highlights Sober and Co, India’s non-alcoholic spirit, now available in versatile variants like gin, pink gin, rum, and whisky. Beyond crafting dedicated zero-proof cocktails, they’re also pioneering a “Conscious Cocktails” menu – ingeniously blending just 15ml of a Sober spirit with 30ml of a traditional spirit to create delightful low-ABV options. These initiatives clearly signal the industry’s serious commitment to this evolving trend.
Suzann Homan, director at Goa-based Kantala Spirits, a pioneer in flavored Indian agave spirits, introduces Gracia Cero. This 0 ABV Tequila alternative, available in “Raw ‘n’ Wild Mango” and “Pineapple Piñata,” allows you to enjoy a flavorful shot without the alcohol buzz. Suzann explains, “I recognized that young Indians are increasingly health-conscious, adventurous, and appreciate sophistication. We aimed to provide them with a novel option to savor. It’s named Cero as a tribute to Aryabhata, who gave us the concept of zero.”
Widely available on e-commerce platforms, this agave-like spirit is perfect for crafting non-alcoholic margaritas, expertly cutting through the rich flavors and spices often found on a festive party table. Suzann emphasizes, “We’ve incorporated agave flavoring derived from the agave plant itself, ensuring the drink offers the same viscosity, a pleasant warming sensation, and a full mouthfeel, mimicking traditional spirits.”
Hydration is Key for Winning the Party
For avid party-goers, staying hydrated is paramount, and this extends beyond just sodas or basic mixers. Mixologist Fay Barretto, renowned for designing the menus at Scarlett House in Mumbai, reveals that creative, simple drinks and infused waters can completely transform your party experience.
“Imagine crafting a zero-proof picante using a 0 ABV spirit, a hint of chili, fresh lime, and a simple syrup solution,” suggests Barretto. She encourages experimenting with diverse mixers such as tonic, soda, or even low ABV vermouths and liqueurs, which can then be layered with kombucha. For those seeking unique profiles, drinks built around matcha and coffee also offer exciting possibilities. Barretto further highlights the hydrating concoctions served at Scarlett House, including “The Hangover Cure”—a blend of water, cherry tomatoes, oregano, jalapeños, pickled onions, and sea salt, all steeped for eight hours and chilled. She also recommends other refreshing water infusions featuring herbs, berries, citrus, and cucumber, ideal for rehydrating between festive feasts or multiple gatherings.
The Art of Layering for Low ABV
Davana Vermouth Indica, India’s inaugural Vermouth (an aromatic, fortified wine infused with various botanicals), offers an exciting new dimension to low-ABV drinking, keeping spirits high without the heavy alcohol content. Adarsh Gadvi, founder of Davana, explains, “During the vibrant festive season, there’s a growing appreciation for lighter, well-balanced drinks that enhance rather than overpower the rich flavors of food. This is precisely where vermouth shines. With just 15% ABV, our vermouth acts as a wonderfully refreshing aperitif, effortlessly complementing Indian cuisine. What truly captivates the sober-curious audience are the intricate layers of flavor derived from Indian botanicals—a quality highly sought after in this movement.”
Gone are the days of plain colas and simple flavored sodas. Today’s mixers have evolved, offering an elevated experience. Think beyond the ordinary with flavored tonic waters like grapefruit and hibiscus, versatile sugar-free syrups, zesty ginger beers, or even an invigorating elaneer (coconut water) kombucha. A rum-free mojito, for instance, can be easily crafted with fresh coconut water, mint, sugar, and a 0 ABV rum, perhaps finished with a splash of soda for delightful effervescence.
Dressing Up Your Drinks
The modern bar is now brimming with creative garnishes and specialty ice to elevate any occasion. Suzann advises, “Just because your drink isn’t traditional doesn’t mean it can’t look extraordinary. For a margarita made with our zero ABV agave, you can elegantly rim your glass with a blend of chili and salt after moistening it with a slice of lime.”
For an added festive touch to your drinks table, consider setting ice cubes with vibrant herbs or delicate edible flowers. If you enjoy a dramatic flourish, soak dried butterfly pea (blue pea) flowers in hot water for ten minutes; adding this infusion to any lemon-based drink will reveal a stunning transformation from blue to various shades of lavender! Further enhance the festive flair by sugar and salt rimming glasses of diverse sizes – tall glasses for highballs or spritzers, elegant flutes for sparkling concoctions, and stemless goblets for most other beverages. Incorporating colorful syrups or a hint of Aperol (an 11% ABV Italian bitter aperitif featuring gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona, known for its bright orange hue) can maintain a light yet flavorful profile for your drinks.
Germain Araud, managing director of MONIN India, emphasizes the importance of layering not just color, but also intricate spice, herb notes, and varied textures. He states, “The real challenge lies in ensuring these drinks offer the same depth and satisfaction as spirit-forward cocktails. Syrups, particularly those with distinct flavors like hibiscus, rose, saffron, or other spices, are crucial for introducing complexity, enhancing texture, and embedding cultural resonance through unique taste profiles.”
For those who wish to enjoy a drink while consciously keeping the ABV low, Tanisha Bhatia, mixologist at Simba Beer and ZigZag Vodka, shares her expertise. She explains, “You can effortlessly create low-alcohol cocktails by prioritizing balance and dilution. By utilizing fresh ingredients, effervescent sparkling mixers, kombucha, or revitalizing cold-pressed juices, you can effectively extend the drink and significantly reduce its overall alcohol content. For instance, combining 30ml of vodka (typically 40% ABV) with 90ml of tonic or soda, then garnishing with herbs or citrus, results in a perfectly balanced beverage that’s considerably lower in ABV yet still rich in character. Low-ABV cocktails aren’t about removing the spirit entirely; they’re about reimagining our drinking experience—crafting drinks that are light, flavourful, and perfectly suited for mindful, all-day enjoyment.”
Ultimately, whether you are playing host this festive season or gracefully hopping from one party to another, embracing a sober or sober-curious lifestyle doesn’t mean sacrificing excitement. It’s about ensuring your drinks, just like your conversations, are vibrant, light, and bursting with exquisite flavor.