Community Corner
Rasta Canna Bar - The Rise of the N/A Movement
With mental and physical well-being becoming more of a priority since the COVID pandemic, people are seeking alternatives to alcohol.
This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.
One of the truly magical aspects of the human experience is that from the pain and heartache of suffering and tragedy, an element of growth and expansion almost always emerges. Doctors will attest that broken bones, once healed, are stronger than before the break. The numerous fallouts experienced by millions across the planet following the COVID-19 pandemic provide potent examples of this remarkable tendency.
Whether a shift to more remote work environments or families making more concerted efforts to value time together over accumulating wealth and capitalistic consumption, the lockdowns and staggering loss of life manifested fundamental change in all of us. One example of that change is the seismic shift in the adult beverage market away from alcohol.
Even before the catastrophic onslaught of COVID, a new concept began cropping up around the country known as "sober curious." According to the Food Institute, sober curious is a social wellness movement involving individuals self-selecting from alcohol consumption without abstaining from drinking altogether.
The movement calls on people to take time to explore their relationship with alcohol and to experience the physiological and psychological benefits of shifting focus away from consuming alcoholic beverages. Instead of the rigid and strict "cold turkey" approach of total abstinence encouraged by various addiction recovery communities, sober curious allows for a more gradual method for assessing one's personal connection to alcohol and social drinking.
Recently updated guidelines and advisories by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have also contributed to a shift in perspective regarding alcohol intake. According to the NCI, even as little as one drink per day can lead to an increased risk of various cancers, rejecting outdated claims from the past that moderate drinking may promote overall health.
One significant factor in the rise in popularity of this non-alcoholic (N/A) movement is the simultaneous emergence of cannabis and hemp-derived products throughout the United States. With 23 states now having legal adult-use marijuana markets in place and over 80% with some form of medicinal marijuana program, access to cannabis has created a shift in consumer habits, particularly among members of Generation Z.
According to the State of Cannabis Report by Eaze, a marketplace for legal cannabis, Gen Z comprised 25.8% of all new cannabis customers in 2021.
As a result, the marketplace has exploded with a vast array of zero-proof brands, THC-infused and other functional beverages, and specialty bars catering exclusively to the non-alcoholic drinker. For example, the rapidly expanding functional beverage market includes drinks containing vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, probiotics, adaptogens, CBD, THC, and other body-beneficial or mind-altering offerings.
Alexi Chialtas, the co-founder and CEO of cannabis beverage brand Wunder, says, "Over the next few years, we'll see the non-alcoholic beverage sector grow in the RTD (Ready to Drink) category and on-premise with a heavy emphasis on functionality. People will continue to seek alcohol alternatives, but they'll want to feel something from their beverage while also knowing they'll have a great tomorrow without a hangover."
Furthermore, the N/A sector is also good business for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to enter the market. As first reported by the IWSR, the industry has grown from $7.8 billion in 2018 to $10 billion in 2021 across numerous global markets, including the U.S., Canada and Japan.
Rasta Canna Bar was created to provide the exact type of environment and beverage alternatives for those enlightened and ever-evolving individuals seeking a more elevated and health-conscious social drinking experience free of alcohol.
This week's featured drink, the Cannarita, contains a refreshing blend of fresh lime juice, sugar cane, and citrus is a perfect example of one of those N/A choices. In addition, customers are encouraged to add their choice of Rasta Feeling derived from hemp as an added boost to this tasty mocktail.
Cleverly modeled after traditional popular drinks, Rasta Canna Bar cocktails and beverages include fun concoctions like the Stoner Sunset, High Cosmopolitan, and Dank Colada. However, what makes the experience unique and potentially healthier is that all offerings contain hemp-derived cannabinoids instead of alcohol. By perusing the full menu, customers will find a wide range of creative and tasty options.
Along with custom cocktails, RCB offers shots inspired by traditional spirits, such as delta-9 THC-infused versions reminiscent of tequila, fireball and cognac. The bar also provides delta-9 THC seltzers, THC-infused N/A beers, and a variety of smoothies containing CBD, CBG, CBN and delta-8 and delta-9 THC. Finally, traditional non-alcoholic drinks are also available for those seeking a less elevated time.
Rasta Canna Bar is in the heart of Grand Central at 2531 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. Feel free to swing by and enjoy live music provided by resident DJ (DJ Aly) on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 - 10 pm. RCB is the perfect place to begin, end or spend the entire evening. There's a new place to unwind from the grind and connect with a more elevated and enlightened community. Come and Experience a Higher Bar.
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