Sip Into Something New: A Q&A With Andrea Grand On Barbet’s Bold New Flavour (Win!)

With Dry January gaining traction and more Canadians embracing mindful consumption, Barbet is set to make a splash with its latest release, Deep Dive. This bold new flavour, blending rich white peach, bright yuzu, and a hint of mint, launches just in time to help you rethink your sipping habits. We sat down with Barbet Co-Founder Andrea Grand to discuss the inspiration behind this exciting addition, the growing demand for non-alcoholic options, and how Barbet is redefining the way we drink—proceeds for a good cause included! Read on to discover why Deep Dive might just become your next favourite beverage. —Noa Nichol

What inspired the creation of Barbet’s newest flavour, Deep Dive, and how does it align with the brand’s mission?

Deep Dive was driven by our community. After launching our first three flavours, we gathered feedback on what people loved and what they wanted to see next. With Deep Dive, the rich sweetness of white peach, the zingy brightness of yuzu, and the refreshing hint of mint came together to create something new and exciting. It connects to our goal of  creating full sensory experiences with bold, unexpected flavour combinations, and extends our mission of putting alcohol and non-alcohol beverages on a level playing field. 

Can you elaborate on the process of developing Deep Dive’s unique combination of white peach, yuzu, and mint? What feedback from your community played a key role?

A fun secret, we’ve actually had Deep Dive developed since 2021 when we launched our first three flavours (Love Bite, Light Wave and Wild Card). That development consisted of playing around with a Soda Stream, mixing up tinctures from Cocktail emporium like scientists and begging a mixologist friend to help introduce us to new flavour combinations. Once we roughly had our formula, we commercialized it and went into community testing.

For Deep Dive specifically, the asks for a new flavour were getting louder and we felt like it was the right time so we dusted off the recipe, put it back into development running tabletop samples with a core group of friends of the brand. Once we were down to two flavour combinations, we started hosting tasting sessions at my house, welcoming groups of 4 – 6 people each time and having them rate the product on flavour, aromatics and appearance. After 8-months of back and forth, we landed on the flavour profile that is now known as Deep Dive. 

With a growing cultural shift toward mindful consumption, how do you see Barbet’s role in supporting this trend, especially during Dry January?

Our goal from the start has been to offer consumers  choice, whether they’re participating in Dry January, exploring a damp lifestyle, or just looking for something delicious without alcohol. We want non-alcoholic options to feel as exciting and satisfying as their boozy counterparts. Barbet can be the centerpiece of any gathering, proving that celebration doesn’t have to come with compromise.

What sets Barbet apart from other non-alcoholic beverage brands in the market today?

Rather than trying to compete with or replace alcoholic beverages, Barbet is a one-stop-sip independent of the moment or mode. Each flavour and can has been designed with a full sensory experience in mind, from the aroma that hits your nose to the bold, full-flavoured tastes, to the colourful pour of each blend.

The idea of “celebrating without compromise” is central to Barbet. How do you ensure this philosophy resonates with both non-drinkers and those who enjoy alcoholic beverages?

We’ve crafted Barbet to feel inclusive and versatile. For those looking for an easy, but dynamic all encompassing option, it’s a fully realized experience. But for those who want a bit of alcohol, Barbet works just as well as a mixer. We’ve created a beverage that appeals to everyone at the table.

Can you tell us more about the community non-profits supported through Barbet sales and how this aligns with your brand’s values?

Giving back was always part of the fabric of Barbet, it was a matter of WHO we wanted to partner with. We’ve always held the community at the forefront of our values, and a portion of proceeds from each can purchased goes to one of four incredible community non-profits—Good to be Good, Save our Scruff, Greener Future, and Ronald McDonald House—that are near and dear to our team’s heart. We want to make a meaningful difference in the communities that support us.

What do you think is driving the increased demand for non-alcoholic beverages among Gen Z and Millennials in Canada?

The two generations have an increased understanding of health and wellness, more than any other generation before them. Gen Z specifically is the first definitive social media generation; they grew up in a visual surrounding and are the most able to cut through the noise and bullshit. Because of this, they’re calling out big companies, challenging what is on our food and beverage labels and demanding better things for our bodies. They are also looking for versatility in their product – they want something that is not only functional and gets the job done (ex -quenches thirst), but something that looks good as well. They also believe less in balance and more in tiny sacrifices, crafting a lifestyle that is sustainable. Unlike the crash diets, shakeweights and other quick fix products generations before us were so used to. 

The design of Barbet cans has been a standout feature. What was the inspiration behind the aesthetic for Deep Dive, and how does it reflect the drink’s personality?

Barbet’s core ethos is about celebrating small, leisurely moments and the richness of meaningful connections.

Designed in continued collaboration with Toronto hitmaker Design of Brand, our latest can design balances flavour inspiration with a palette that contrasts beautifully with Barbet’s existing lineup. It’s a perfect blend of form and function, made to shine on bar carts and in hands. 

As someone closely watching beverage trends, where do you see the future of non-alcoholic drinks in Canada and globally?

People are looking for more out of their social experiences and food and beverages. They want something that is not only functional (quenches thirst), but also something that looks good as well; has a mood or aesthetic built into it. Right now we’re seeing a lot of segmentation of those experiences. Creation of non-alcoholic bars and bottle shops, and while those experiences are important for so many reasons, we’re seeing the adoption of these modern sodas or functional beverages into mainstream communities – I think we will see more of that in the future. Making it the rule not the exception to have inclusive menus built to allow for choice. 

Do you have any favourite zero-proof recipes featuring Deep Dive? Could you share a hosting tip for those incorporating Barbet into their gatherings?

We have some amazing recipes on our website that feature Seedlip, and Deep Dive is no different! Keep it simple and pair it with their new Agave de Notes to get a citrus forward margarita style cocktail.

Create an experience and always have a non-alcoholic option. We love a DIY bar set with its own garnish station. Allow guests to explore flavours by providing the base (non-alc and alc spirit), a sparkling beverage (Barbet comes to mind) and a few garnish options. Writing out the natural pairings will help people get started! 

Win! A Case of Barbet’s New Flavour Deep Dive!

One lucky Canadian winner will receive a Case of Barbet’s New Flavour Deep Dive and a hat! To enter, head over to Instagram, follow @drinkbarbet and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens January 15, 2024 and closes January 22, 2024. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.