The Inclusive Drinks List

For years, alcohol free meant a single soda or juice at the bottom of the menu. That is no longer enough. More people are moderating their drinking, with 38 percent of UK adults choosing low and no alcohol options at least occasionally in 2024 (Portman Group, 2025). Venues that want to stay relevant need a better answer than cola.

What inclusive really means

An inclusive drinks list is not about hiding alcohol. It is about making sure every guest, whatever they are drinking, has something that feels considered. That means options with flavour, texture, and a sense of occasion, not just sweetness.

Why alcohol free fizz belongs

Alcohol free sparkling wine and sparkling tea tick the boxes that soft drinks do not. Fine bubbles, bright acidity, and balance mean they behave like wine in the glass. They pair with food, lift a toast, and sit naturally on tasting menus. REAL DRY, REAL SEC, and REAL BLUSH are designed for this role, so no guest feels like the odd one out.

How venues can build the list

Think in categories, the same way you do with wine and cocktails. Offer a crisp, dry style, a fragrant mid-weight style, and a fruit-led style. For a bar, that could mean a dry sparkling tea by the glass, a citrus-led mocktail, and a fruit-driven alcohol free fizz. For a restaurant, it means one bottle that behaves like brut, one that bridges richer dishes, and one that brings colour to brunch and dessert.

The hospitality advantage

Inclusive drinks are not just goodwill. They mean longer stays, higher average spend, and wider appeal. A group will choose a venue where everyone feels seen. If your list makes the non-drinkers feel like an afterthought, you lose the whole booking.

Final pour

An inclusive drinks list is not a trend, it is the new baseline. REAL sparkling tea shows what is possible: alcohol free that is premium, food friendly, and celebratory. Venues that get this right are not just filling a gap, they are raising the whole experience.