Is it Dry January’s last call?
I recently wrote about the growing number of new nonalcoholic bottle shops popping up in major cities–fueled by the burgeoning sober-curious movement. So, it may shock you to learn one of the movement’s more popular trends, Dry January (when people give up alcohol for the first month of the year), is on the decline. You heard that right: Fewer people say they’re participating in 2023’s sober festivities according to a recent survey by Morning Consult. This year, the number of adults who said they would take part in Dry January dropped from 19 percent to 15 percent compared to last year. But the reason why may surprise you. Dry January’s dry spell If more adults are embracing sobriety as a lifestyle (even if it’s just a month-long), then why did Dry January participation take a hit? We just answered our question. One reason fewer people are partaking is because people are drinking less overall. This is especially true for millennials. In December 2021, almost 70 percent said they drink. Last December, that number dropped to 62 percent. This is huge for a generation that reports drinking alcohol more frequently than others. And, ironically, Dry January participation might also be down due to last year’s success. That is, 2022’s
A brewing trend: The espresso martini
Like fashion and entertainment, the food and beverage industry also has a taste for nostalgia. With cocktails like the cosmopolitan making their way back into the mainstream, bars and restaurants in major cities are feeling more like the 1990s these days. While both old-school recipes and creative takes on originals are back in vogue, the espresso martini is emerging as the “it” cocktail. As legend has it, late London bartender Dick Bradsell created this trendy cocktail in 1983 at the request of a model in need of a caffeine boost. Bradsell crafted the drink, originally called the vodka espresso, with espresso, coffee liqueur, and vodka–the same ingredients used today (along with coffee beans for garnish). Bradsell was clearly on to something, as his caffeinated cocktail became extremely popular in the 1990s. Like many trends though, the espresso martini lost its buzz in the 2000s. Instead, people began gravitating to more bitter drinks. Now, however, the espresso martini is back in a big way. The drink is having such a resurgence in popularity that you might be tempted to check the year on your calendar. In the first half of 2021, American food and restaurant reviewers mentioned the espresso martini 300 percent more compared to the first half of 2018. Unsurprisingly,
Is agave the next great spirit?
Agave is having a moment. While spirits distilled from the plant, like tequila and mezcal, have always been crowd favorites, they’re currently experiencing a worldwide boom. The growth of agave spirits didn’t come out of nowhere and brands have been taking notice for years. Have you spotted more mezcal being offered in stores, bars, and restaurants lately? This isn’t a coincidence. Between 2017 and 2018, industry giants like Pernod Ricard, Bacardi, and Sazerac all invested in mezcal, signaling the smoky spirit’s expected expansion. Companies may have been eyeing mezcal, but tequila sales remained popular and made $3 billion in revenue in 2018. The recent agave explosion presents a great opportunity for large and independent companies around the world. Although Indigious communities in Mexico have grown and distilled the plant for centuries, agave-based spirits are currently in global demand. This year, Americans will spend more money on Mexican-grown agave spirits than they do on American-made Whiskey for the first time ever. By 2023, tequila and mezcal are expected to dethrone vodka as the country’s favorite spirit based on sales (and carry an impressive $13.3 billion value). In Canada alone, agave’s value is expected to grow 109% by 2026. However, it’s important to remember one major factor–by definition, tequila and
Is TikTok a new tool in the recovery of the tourism industry?
After more than a year of the beginning of a new "era" after the pandemic caused by Covid-19, the tourism sector has recorded impressive figures. Its growth after the reopening of businesses after the pandemic is undoubtedly notorious, but who is responsible for this growth? Social networks play an important role in this evolution. During confinement, one of the social networks that grew exponentially was TikTok, and on this platform, in addition to being able to find entertainment content, there is informational and educational content. The advantage of TikTok, unlike other social networks, is the ease with which a video can get huge reach. According to the TikTok portal, in July 2021 the trends on its platform were around # hashtags, especially those linked to tourism and travel. Among the most prominent and viral hashtags is #Travel with more than 43.7 billion views and #Holidays with more than 29 million views. Users who create and those who consume these types of content often share reviews and/or tours of the places they visit, such as restaurants and hotels. These are made organically, so they tend to have more credibility with consumers. That said, what are you waiting for to generate content for your business?
Celebrities investing in restaurants
The term restoration refers to businesses dedicated to the preparation of food and beverages prepared for consumption. Including different types of businesses such as restaurants, eating houses, cafeterias, bars, inns, wine bars and wineries. Times have changed and with it the world of restoration which presents numerous changes with new lines of business. Actors, comedians, athletes, singers and businessmen have followed the example of Hollywood stars such as Bruce Willis and Nicole Kidman to invest in the catering sector by opening restaurants or bars, hand in hand with renowned chefs and expert restaurateurs. Among these we can mention: Bertín Osborne: The presenter of My house is yours, has an establishment in Zaragoza called La casa de Bertín run by chef Jesús Lobato, who has become famous for using the freshest and most seasonal products. Joaquín Sabina: It has Mexican food stores in Madrid, a chain called La Mordida where quesadillas, gringas, chicken flautas, enchiladas, carnitas or kahlúa cake are served. Shakira y Piqué: Blue Spot has opened in the attic of the Ocean building in Barcelona, with very Mediterranean dishes, such as prawn niguiri, cold crab soup with a touch of smoke, crab burger with sesame, chili and lime or cockles firewood. Enrique Iglesias, Pau Gasol y Rafael
An exclusive, NFT-powered dining club is coming to NYC
NFTs are slowly finding a way to make their mark on every industry. And now, they’re powering a new dining concept that will be opening in Manhattan next year. But, what role does crypto have in a restaurant that serves real food and requires payment in US dollars? Read more.
NFT as a new business models
A little while ago I didn't know what they were about and now it's the only thing that is talked about. NFT's have gone from being a talking point exclusive to the world of art and collecting, but these digital assets have found a place in restoration. VCR Group , a company dedicated to creating concepts, culinary experiences and food products in physical and digital spaces, announced that next year it will open the FlyFish Club , the world's first NFT restaurant. The FlyFish Club is a seafood-inspired concept founded by serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk and restaurateurs David Rodolitz, Founding Partner and CEO of Empellon Restaurant Group, Culinary Director Josh Capon of Lure Fishbar and Executive Vice President of Operations Conor Hanlon. This group of visionaries impresses in many ways. The innovative restaurant will be 10,000 square feet in an iconic New York City location. If you are wondering how you can access, then the answer is in the blockchain. Yes, to obtain a membership you must buy with non-fungible tokens, and the best thing is that being an owner can generate new business opportunities in a short time. If you have any doubts, I can tell you that according to the
Outstanding crowdfunding platforms in the real estate sector
There is no doubt that the way of doing business and the trends to make the most of our money åhave changed in recent years. One of these instruments is crowdfunding, which can give access to a profitable market and in which you can participate with different levels of investment, depending on your appetite. There are rankings on platforms linked to the real estate sector that can help boost assets and generate profitable incomes through this method of raising capital. One of them includes Estateguru, its origin is from Estonian and has more than 100,000 investors, it’s a leader in financing and real estate investment. Among the benefits that this platform offers is the ease of access that investors have to a variety of real estate investments with relatively minimal capital, since the minimum amount to start investing is €50 euros. It has access to the real estate market in different European countries, and its historical rate of failed investments is practically null. They have a very limited risk thanks to mortgage guarantees. On the other hand, StockCrowdIN, some users highlight that it’s one of the most complete platforms. It’s authorized by the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) and has real estate
Cultural tourism and ecotourism, the investment of the future?
Although it sounds repetitive to talk about the "new normality", the hospitality sector is still going through transformation processes that lead to focus even more on the needs of the client and the local economy. Sanitary restrictions have opened our minds to enjoy rural and natural environments to vacation and at the same time, support the economic development of remote towns and locations. According to the survey carried out in 2022 by the Barceló Hotel Group, among the experiences that Spaniards would most like to enjoy during their trip, 35% want to discover cultural heritage, visit museums and places of interest. 25% long to spend the day on the beach, enjoying the sun and good weather, while another 25% prefer to discover and enjoy the local cuisine. In general, your clients are now looking to explore more open spaces, away from crowds and culturally rich. What we call Ecotourism and Cultural Tourism. This awareness of nature promotes responsible actions through the application of various sustainability principles, such as the minimization of negative environmental impacts and the construction of positive experiences for both locals and visitors. Therefore, companies cannot be left behind, the effort must be focused on adapting to the guidelines that their
Luxury and sustainable hotels that will open their doors in summer
A few years ago there was no talk of luxury and sustainability in the tourism sector in the same conversation, in fact, there was hardly any talk of sustainability. Now, it is more and more common to find these terms as relevant criteria in the business models of hotel projects. Travelers have added finding “green hotels” to their list of priorities when choosing their destination. According to a Booking.com survey of 81% of the traveling community that expects the industry to offer more sustainable options and focuses on five key areas: waste, energy and support for local communities, above all by protecting nature. From biodegradable materials, chlorine-free swimming pools and renewable energy sources, and its beautiful ecological infrastructures! Many hotels are undergoing a process of transformation towards a more environmentally friendly behavior without forgetting exclusivity and luxury. Here is a tour of the trendsetters for this season. Soneva Kiri Koh Kood, Thailand It is one of the best examples of eco-luxury in the traveling reality that is committed to the planet. Soneva Kiri, is one of the favorite haunts of countless royal families, actors and rock stars, the entire complex, even with all its extremely picturesque beauty, is also self-sufficient when it comes to