In a charming shop in Haarlem, the bottles are beautifully displayed. Gin, rum, liqueur, but without the alcohol. This is World of Nix , a liquor store that focuses entirely on non-alcoholic beverages. And it works surprisingly well.
From niche to popular choice
Frederike de Groot, founder of World of Nix, noticed a gap between soft drinks and wine and saw an opportunity in tasty alcohol alternatives. What began as an online store in 2021 has grown into two physical stores in Haarlem and Amsterdam, where customers can sample everything before buying. These tastings are often surprising. "It's great to see how surprised people are when they take that first sip."
What do you drink then?
The range consists of tasty alternatives to spirits, wine, and sparkling wine. Some customers, like Andrea and Mattie, use the spirits in cocktails or mix them neat. The bottles are often not cheap, with prices ranging from €20 to €40 being common, but customers say the quality is more than worth it.
Health and habits change
The demand for alcohol-free alternatives is growing, partly due to health awareness and changing social norms. Customers want to enjoy themselves, but without the drawbacks of alcohol. According to De Groot, it's crucial that the products are tasty, not necessarily that they have to "imitate" alcohol.
World of Nix works with specialized producers, including in Germany and France, who use modern techniques to produce top-quality, alcohol-free wine. Even top restaurants purchase from the store.
A new standard?
While alcohol-free drinking was once considered boring, that perception is now changing. At World of Nix, taste is paramount, and the experience rivals a visit to a traditional liquor store, minus the hangover.
“We love it when people say: this is my new drink for an alcohol-free Friday night.”
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