Dubai Muslims and non-drinkers who may have felt left out at parties can now raise a toast with ‘halal' wine and champagne.
Zero-alcohol drinks companies at the Gulfood show in Dubai this week said these beverages, which taste and look like regular drinks, are quite popular among Muslims and also health and safety conscious non-Muslims who like to party without getting drunk.
"If you don't drink, but at the same time don't want to feel left out at parties, our non-alcoholic drinks are just right," said Rashid Gacem, a businessman behind Belgium's Night Orient brand of alcohol-free festive drinks.
A couple of visitors who tasted the ‘Black label' grape-must ‘Champagne' and Chardonnay French ‘wine' said they tasted similar to real liquor.
Another ‘celebration drinks' brand offering "all the fun without the alcohol" — UK's Pure Heaven line — is doing well across religions and age groups, said Dr Rami Ranger, chairman of brand owner Sun Mark.
Drink to bird spit
A drink containing bird spit and nest flakes leaves you healthy and glowing, according to Singapore refreshments brand Kim. Saliva used in nest-making by swallows or swifts is available in bottled form, said Kim's international sales director, Christine Lim.
She told XPRESS, "Everybody loves it, especially the ladies, because it makes your skin beautiful."
Kim, which costs about $2.30 (Dh8.5) a bottle, is now eyeing a foothold in the UAE.
