Ireland-based ingredients manufacturer Kerry announced the launch of a new line of ingredients called Botanicals Collection ZERO, an extensive range of alcohol-free botanical extracts designed specifically for low- and no-alcohol beverages. The portfolio includes 50 products total, including those sourced from juniper, rosebud, elderflower, cocoa, turmeric, cinnamon, and more. Kerry continues to investigate into more formulations for this line.
 
Botanicals Collection ZERO can aid beverage producers in creating low- and no-alcohol options with the taste of gin, rum, cocoa, ginger, etc., all while meeting clean-label and quality requirements, for those seeking options for moderating their alcohol consumption or enjoying alcohol-free beverages.
 
With the growing trend of consumers abstaining or moderating alcohol intake, Kerry believes that people will continue seeking authentic tasting options beyond simply soft drinks into the foreseeable future. Kerry expects low- and no-alcohol spirits and beverages trade sales to increase 41% from 2015 by the year 2021. Additionally, botanical extracts for alcohol beverages already have an approximate $500 million market space, growing about 9% per annum, Kerry said in a statement.
 
“Kerry is pleased to make available the Botanicals Collection ZERO range of high-quality authentic botanical distillates to beverage producers interested in producing more refined and better-tasting low- or no-alcohol drinks,” Michel Aubanel, flavor ingredients global development manager for Kerry, said. “Consumer expectations are currently not being met by mocktails and other no-alcohol options due to the fact that products often resemble juices rather than alcohol. Increasingly, consumers want the upscale experience of the glass, ice, and taste, but without the alcohol content. The Kerry Botanicals Collection ZERO portfolio can deliver a premium drink that tastes great.”
 
Kerry reports that Botanical Collections ZERO’s range is fully traceable, clean-label, halal-certified, kosher-suitable, and does not contain ethanol or alternative solvents. The entire portfolio allows manufacturers to maintain a “0.0%” claim. The products cause no haze or sedimentation in beverages, while offering a botanical taste and mouthfeel.
 
Kerry also has a proprietary formulation capability which allows them to use botanicals (leaves, flowers, seeds, etc.) in a blend, and magnify the taste by running a distillate following a period of slow maturation, allowing for tailored extracts or blends that can be made in order to suit specific local and regional tastes or requirements. There are over 45 single distillate profiles to choose from, in addition to five fusions distillates that can be blended and tailored for unique tastes. The ingredient sources include juniper, ginger, rose but, chamomile, lemon, mint, orange, dandelion, cola nut, rhubarb, burdock, elderflower, black tea, cocoa, cumin, fennel, turmeric, cinnamon, and more.