Trademark filings haven risen from 433 to 515, according to intellectual property law firm Mathys & Squire (M&S).
M&S claimed this growth reflects how companies are prioritising alcohol-free product development to meet strong demand from Gen Z consumers seeking healthier, socially inclusive drinking options.
During the same period, the number of new gin trademarks filed fell 9% from 642 to 582, while rum filings decreased 5% from 662 to 627, demonstrating changing consumer preferences toward alcohol-free alternatives.
However, whisky/whiskey trademarks moved in the opposite direction, growing 7% from 714 to 761. New trademarks are being filed in order to market more budget whisky brands, with shorter ageing periods, without jeopardising existing upmarket brands.
Growth in innovation and investment
The surge in non-alcoholic cocktail filings reflects a broader growth in innovation and investment across the broader alcohol-free drinks segment, M&S said.
The law firm also said leading drinks companies, including Diageo, are investing significantly in new product launches, alongside marketing campaigns and sponsorships, to capture growth in the expanding alcohol-free market.
M&S head of trademarks Claire Breheny said: “The increase in non-alcoholic cocktail trademarks shows how alcohol free alternatives are being developed for all the main drinks categories.
“Health trends and Generation Z drinking habits are transforming industry innovation priorities and investment strategies.
“Businesses that fail to innovate effectively risk losing out on one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic market segments in the global drinks industry.”
Considered and exciting
Many of the UK’s leading cocktail bars are improving and increasing the number of their low & no alcohol cocktails with Kiki Lounge and Lab 22 telling The Morning Advertiser about their successes recently.
Kiki Lounge co-owner Jamie Lewis said at the time: “We’ve made a conscious effort to create a non-alcoholic list that feels just as considered and exciting as the rest of our menu.
“Our ‘non-alcoholic’ section includes six house cocktails built with premium alcohol-free spirits from brands like Lyre’s, Everleaf and Tanqueray 0.0, using the same level of creativity and technique we apply to all of our drinks.”
At Lab 22, the Samba! Is the low & no choice everyone wants. Head bartender Max Hayward stated the alcoholic version of the drink is Reyka Vodka, Fair Kumquat liqueur and mango juice clarified with vanilla soy yogurt while the sober variant uses Lyre’s White Cane spirit infused with kumquat “to get it as close to the original as possible”.
