Consumers Embrace Alcohol-Free Tipple

Alcohol-free beverages are becoming popular as drinkers try to cut down on their booze consumption.

Grocery delivery app Market Kurly has doubled its non-alcoholic offerings from a year ago to sparkling wine and mocktails.

SSG.com, the online shopping arm of retailer Shinsegae, said sales of non-alcoholic wine surged 36 percent on-year over the last month. 

E-commerce giant Coupang also said orders for non-alcoholic champagne more than tripled over the past month.

Offline sales are also growing. Lotte Mart, which sells seven non-alcoholic wines, said sales of some sparkling wine surged 10-fold over the last month. High-end restaurants and hotels have also begun to serve alcohol-free wine.

Retailers claim there is no difference in flavor. Alcohol-free wine is made the same way as conventional wine, but the alcohol is removed later.