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. 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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