Mead is enjoying a genuine renaissance among modern drinkers who are drawn to its ancient roots and natural ingredients, and Barhi stands out as a sparkling date-based mead designed to elevate meals with its balance and refreshment. This light, 6% ABV beverage crafted from fresh dates and honey is naturally gluten-free and has no added sugar.
“I always felt there was a gap in the way we looked at food and drinks. Most alcoholic drinks are created first, and the pairing comes later," said Vikas Thakker, Founder & Director, Vintage Brewery UK. "With BARHI, I wanted to reverse that idea. I started with the food, especially spice-rich cuisines, and built the drink around what would truly complement those flavors." Dry, crisp Barhi Sparkling Original is best enjoyed alongside fried appetizers, spicy chicken wings, potato wedges, nachos and salsa, while Barhi Sparkling Spiced goes well with Pan-Asian cuisine, grilled proteins, hearty pub fare, and savory dishes.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Food-first Fermentation
- Beverages formulated around specific cuisines create new space for alcohol brands that treat pairing as a core product feature rather than an afterthought.
- Date-based Alcohol
- Fresh dates offer a distinctive fermentable base that can differentiate premium sparkling drinks through natural sweetness, regional storytelling, and clean-label appeal.
- Low-abv Culinary Drinks
- Light 6% ABV formats align with meal-centered occasions where refreshment, flavor balance, and moderation matter as much as alcohol content.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Mead makers and craft beverage producers are expanding beyond traditional honey profiles with sparkling, fruit-based formats suited to contemporary dining habits.
- Foodservice
- Restaurants and bars gain new menu pairing possibilities from gluten-free sparkling alcohols designed to complement spicy, fried, grilled, and savory dishes.
- Specialty Retail
- Premium grocers and bottle shops can position date-based meads within natural, no-added-sugar, and globally inspired beverage assortments.
