The Soft Fest, the big celebration of non-alcoholic or low-alcoholic drinks, returns to Mas de Couran near Montpellier

The offer of non-alcoholic or low-alcoholic drinks has grown significantly. -DR

Les Montpelliérains Slavica et Geoffrey Garcia sont les organisateurs de ce rendez-vous innovant. – DR

Spirits, aperitifs, wines and ready-to-drink cocktails without alcohol, and others with low alcohol content, will be available to discover on June 1st and 2nd, at Mas de Couran, in Lattes. Around forty exhibitors are expected around this trend, as well as tastings and activities for the whole family.

Alcohol-free, or low-alcoholic: a trend that is gaining ground in the world of drinks. Spirits, aperitifs, wines, bubbles, ready-to-drink cocktails: the products offered are increasingly varied and tasty. This is what the Soft Fest, organized at Mas de Couran, in Lattes, on the outskirts of Montpellier, will demonstrate on June 1st and 2nd. On the program, a show with around forty exhibitors, a bar with a musical atmosphere, meetings conducive to discovery (aperitif on Saturday evening, brunch on Sunday morning). But also, activities: street art exhibition and children's area (introduction to drone piloting and street art).

Festive and family tone

The organizers, Geoffrey Garcia and Slavica Garcia-Krusic, had proposed a first show on this theme in 2022, in Montpellier. This year, they are giving the event a more festive and family tone, riding on a phenomenon that they believe is growing. "Recent years have seen a change in consumption patterns, that of "moderate and curious" who turn to low-alcoholic or even non-alcoholic drinks. They are not necessarily seeking to eliminate alcohol from their lives, but rather to diversify their taste experiences with low-alcohol drinks enriched with innovative flavors."

"Flexi-drinkers"

We thus speak of "flexi-drinkers". This is one of the audiences targeted by the Soft Fest. But the event is also aimed at families, who will be able to discover non-alcoholic drinks with their children. Also concerned are pregnant women, the elderly or those on medication, and those who wish to respect their convictions. "This meeting is also aimed at professionals in cafes, hotels and restaurants who want to adapt to the demand for non-alcoholic drinks and have not yet taken the plunge due to lack of knowledge of the products", indicate Geoffrey Garcia and Slavica Garcia- Krusic, already organizers of the Cocktail Tour, in Montpellier and in several cities in France.

Hibiscus and orange blossom aperitif

In partnership with the Sud de France label, the Soft Festival also intends to highlight actors from Occitanie, within this sector, as well as from other French regions and countries from Europe, all focused on artisanal production. Among the drinks to taste on June 1st and 2nd, this grape-based drink, with notes of coffee infusion, Espelette pepper, blackcurrant extract and wood of oak. Or even this lightly alcoholic aperitif, delicately bitter with hibiscus flower and orange blossom. A festival of aromas in perspective!

Soft Fest, Saturday June 1 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday June 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mas de Couran, in Lattes. Free entry upon registration: www.softfestival.com