November 10, 2024

These are the boozy drinks Ontarians were drinking most in 2023

Toronto Sun #TorontoSun

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Published Dec 17, 2023  •  Last updated 4 days ago  •  2 minute read

A woman carries a bag of purchased alcohol at an LCBO store in Toronto.A woman carries a bag of purchased alcohol at an LCBO store in Toronto. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk /Toronto Sun

Ontario residents had plenty of reasons to drown their sorrows in 2023.

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    Not surprisingly, a new report from the LCBO shows drinkers were out to save where they could, preferring domestic beer to craft offerings and choosing value-based products.

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    “As Ontarians looked to reduce their spending, there was a clear shift in their drinking choices,” said Abhay Garg, vice president of merchandising at LCBO.

    “We pride ourselves on having a product selection that caters to every taste and budget, so it remains easy to find the perfect choice.”

    While many sought more value-based items, there were also customers who remained loyal to their favourite brands.

    The love for tequila continued to grow in 2023, but at a slower rate of 16%, compared to 44% growth over the last two years.

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    But celebrity backing, innovative finishes like wine-barrel aging, snazzy packaging and 100% agave also caught customers’ interest and kept them coming back for more.

    When it came to beer, drinkers kept their bank accounts in mind with domestic brands up 10%, outpacing the demand for premium and craft beer.

    Ready-to-drink products, including pre-mixed cocktails and coolers, grew in popularity by 10%, with seltzers being the drink of choice.

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    Demand for canned cocktails jumped a remarkable 40% from 2022, with consumers being offered new brands and a more extensive selection.

    Wine drinkers gravitated toward the sparkling variety, particularly prosecco and other Italian, Spanish and local Ontario options.

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    Customers also chose fresher styles, including lighter reds, roses, and white wines over heavier styles, and Ontarians explored wines from Portugal and Chile.

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    The most notable growth in the wine category were three-litre boxes of wine, which saw an increase of 28%, and 375-millilitre bottles, up 15%.

    Another popular choice for Ontario residents seeking to moderate their alcohol consumption were light, low-alcohol and non-alcoholic wine options.

    The growth of lighter wine options and lower sugar wines outpaced those with higher alcohol levels by 2% and 7%, respectively.

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