# Alcoholic Imitation Creating a mature aesthetic, soda brands adopt designs reminiscent of alcohol. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Sep 24, 2014 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/indulgent-imitation ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.4/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Alcoholic Imitation trend? **Alcoholic Imitation:** Expanding beyond the traditional demographic of young consumers, soda brands are turning to alcohol-inspired packaging to diversify its market audience. Crafting bottles to imitate beer and liquor, beverage brands are using aesthetics associated with adulthood to add sophisticated allure to store-bought drinks, combining nostalgic childhood products with a more mature look. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 15, 2012 to Sep 23, 2014 - Published: Sep 24, 2014 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Examples of the Alcoholic Imitation trend 4 featured examples from Jun 15, 2012 to Sep 23, 2014. - [Quirky Soft Drink Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hugh-heffernan): Hugh Heffernan Creates Kitschy Soda Packaging for Elixir (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovation opportunity to create new and fun packaging for soft drinks, juices, and other beverages - [Imitation Beer Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hopt): Hӧpt is a Line of Sodas Packaged Like Bottles of Beer (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for developing creative packaging designs that mimic the appearance of alcoholic beverages for non-alcoholic drinks. - [Basketball Star Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lebron-james-sprite): The Coca-Cola Company Announced It Will Release a LeBron James Sprite (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for beverage companies to innovate with flavors and collaborate with celebrities to attract wider audiences. - [Traditional Soda Label Redesigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soda-label): Frem Soda Labels Gets a Typographic Makeover From Faust (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Beverage companies can seize the opportunity to revitalize their brand image by investing in label redesigns that capture consumer attention and convey a unique brand story. ## Themes within the Alcoholic Imitation trend ### Adult-Styled Packaging Soda brands are using alcohol-inspired designs to diversify their market audience and add sophisticated allure to store-bought drinks. ### Fun and Quirky Packaging Designers are using Victorian aesthetics and psychedelic styles to create unique and kitschy packaging for soft drinks. ### Celebrity Endorsements Coca-Cola partnered with basketball player LeBron James to release a new flavor of Sprite, showing the importance of celebrity endorsements in the soft drink industry. ## What the Alcoholic Imitation trend means for industry ### For Beverage Industry From traditional soda companies to new up-and-coming brands, the beverage industry is constantly innovating in packaging, branding, and flavor development. ### For Design Industry Designers are creating unique and playful packaging for the soft drink industry using new technologies and taking inspiration from vintage design styles. ### For Celebrity Partnerships As seen with LeBron James and Coca-Cola, celebrity partnerships are important for branding and creating hype around new soft drink releases. ## Trend signals for Alcoholic Imitation Trend score 2.4 out of 10, from popularity 37%, activity 28%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 37% - Activity: 28% - Freshness: 8% ## Recent trend clusters - [Texture Mimicry](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/textural-protein-snacks) (Lifestyle) - [Gut Layering](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/digestive-energy-drinks) (Lifestyle) - [Candy Migration](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/holiday-sweet-mashups) (Lifestyle) - [Stimulant Tuning](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/stimulant-level-supplements) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Antioxidant Neck Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peptide-neck-cream) - [Fragrant Body Care Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-fridays-body-collection1) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) - [Gaming-Integrated Pizza Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaming-integrated-pizza-promotions) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)