In his inaugural column for Drinks International, Branson takes a wider look at the overall non-alcoholic spirits sector to identify which brands will thrive and which won’t survive.

Ben Branson, founder of Diageo non-alcoholic spirit Seedlip, has launched Sylva, a non-alcoholic distillery and maturation lab at his home in Essex.

Pernod Ricard has announced the acquisition of a minority stake in Almave, the non-alc blue agave-based spirit brand, co-founded by Formula One champion, Lewis Hamilton and Casa Lumbre’s Iván Saldaña. 

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that non-alcoholic spirits brand, Lyre’s, has appointed DJ David Guetta as global brand ambassador.

Formula One champion and entrepreneur Lewis Hamilton, alongside agave expert and Casa Lumbre co-founder and master distiller Iván Saldaña, have unveiled Almave, the inaugural distilled non-alcoholic blue agave spirit.

Non-alcoholic spirits brand, Crossip, has expanded into new markets across Europe, GCC and North America, alongside key local distribution partners.

UK-based functional drink brand Three Spirit has announced the launch of a range of non-alcoholic alternative wines, Blurred Vines.

Sales of no and low alcohol beverages in 10 key global markets reached almost $10 billion in 2021 up from $7.8 billion in 2018, according to a new IWSR report.

The non-alcoholic spirits category debuted in last year’s report, but the sector has quickly taken root and now no drinks group’s portfolio is complete without one.

Bacardi has announced the launch of a new non-alcoholic spirit brand created, in collaboration with Amsterdam-based bartenders, with cocktails in mind. 

In 2020, craft spirits in the US volume gains of almost 8%, growing to a 5% volume share and 7% value share of the total US spirits market, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Buffalo Trace has released its annual supply of Kosher whiskey which is set to arrive at retail in May this year.

A new non-alcoholic drink that taps into growing consumer trend for enjoying “aperitivo hour” has launched in the UK and international markets.

Diddy, David Beckham and Ryan Reynolds have donated $1 million to several organisations that support the bartending community.

An award-winning distiller has tipped the non-alcoholic spirits category to enjoy strong future growth thanks to a raft of innovation in the years ahead.

Champagne Gosset has launched a non-vintage cuvee that has benefited from more than 12 years of ageing on the lees.

SAB Miller has announced a number of directorate and senior management changes that will become effective from the company’s annual general meeting on July 26, 2012.

Inver House Distillers yesterday announced the global release of Balblair vintages 1992 and '01 from the newly-opened visitor centre at the brand's Highland distillery.

Morrison Bowmore has unveiled two new Auchentoshan expressions. 1999 Bordeaux Cask Matured and Valinch, a small batch release of the Classic expression bottled at cask strength and non-chill filtered.

Buffalo Trace Distillery has offered the entire 174-bottle release of its Millennium Barrel expression to US charities for auctioning.

Drambuie has announced the appointment of Michael Kennedy as future CEO and added Brendan O’Neill and Jonathan Brown to its board of directors.

Stock Spirits Group has appointed Waldemar Maj and Dominique Bach as non-executive directors.