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Checking up on the buzzing non-alcoholic beverage industry

"I went in really wanting to make a deal," said Megan Klein, founder of non-alcoholic beverage company Little Saints, of her experience on "Shark Tank."
What a difference two years makes. Especially for the non-alcoholic beverage industry.
Courtesy Little Saints

Bubble tea's Taiwan origin story: economic boom, national identity and betrayal

Mar 14, 2024
The self-governing island consumes a billion cups a year of the milk tea with the chewy tapioca pearls. Globally, it's a $3 billion industry.
Bubble tea at Chun Shui Tang. Each glass follows a strict tea-to ice-to tapioca-ball ratio.
Jennifer Pak/Marketplace

Nonalcoholic drink sales grow beyond just Dry January

Jan 3, 2024
As new generations of drinkers prioritize well-being, more brewers are providing nonalcoholic beer offerings.
A brand representative pours a sample of nonalcoholic gin at the 2023 Bar & Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas.
Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Nightclub & Bar Media Group

What's driving the boom in the nonalcoholic drink industry?

Oct 24, 2022
Megan Klein, founder of the Little Saints mocktail company, says changing consumer tastes and attitudes around health are helping drive sales.
Courtesy Megan Klein

Alcohol alternatives are everywhere, with a pour for every (non)drinker

Sep 23, 2022
Budweiser is using its Qatar World Cup sponsorship to market its nonalcoholic beer. But the market for sober beverages is growing.
Above, cans of nonalcoholic beer come off the production line at a brewery in Stratford, Connecticut.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For beverage makers, a pandemic can dilemma

Sep 3, 2020
Large beverage makers and small brewing companies are vying for aluminum cans.
Randy Shropshire/Getty Images

Why clear ice is becoming a cocktail standard

Jul 23, 2019
The new-age flourish is made by pushing impurities and air out while the ice is being formed.
Steven Byeon/Marketplace

For public good, not for profit.

Scotch eyes new markets amid stiff competition

Jul 5, 2019
The traditional "water of life" is facing threats from potential U.S. tariffs on top of global competition.
Glass of Scotch Whiskey orange juice alcohol cocktail with swirled orange peel and smoking cinnamon sticks. (Photo by: Natasha Breen/REDACO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Is there a sweet spot for sugary drink taxes?

May 28, 2019
National Bureau of Economic Research figures show a national tax of between 1 and 2.5 cents per ounce of drink would save society $7 billion per year.
pxhere

Bars without booze for the sober and "sober-curious"

Mar 28, 2019
They're popping up across the country.
"Mocktail" bars are popping up across the country.
Club Soda Guide/Flickr (CC by 2.0)