Chicago seltzer Petal creates wave in the 'mocktail' space

Petal promotional shot Photo credit Petal

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A female-owned, sparkling botanical beverage brand made here in Chicago is offering something different to enjoy with brunch or dinner.

Candice Crane developed Petal, her line of organic-certified, low-sugar sparkling beverages before the pandemic. But she says the timing may be optimum now for people who are “sober curious.”

“Coming out of the pandemic I think people are looking for alternatives. Petal has actually been praised as being an alternative to spiked seltzer,” she told the Noon Business Hour on Friday.

The South Africa native said she has always been an herbal tea enthusiast and was interested in recent years as some craft soda makers began using botanical elements. The problem, she said, is that some of those drinks were full of sugar.

The “mocktail” space of non-alcoholic beverages has grown in recent years. In some cases, people may be looking to reduce their intake of spirits.

“I actually like to use Petal as something to pace my night,” Crane said. “So, I can start with a cocktail and then switch over to Petal and drink that and then, voila, you don’t have a hangover the next day.”

Flavors include elderberry white tea flower, lychee rose and lemongrass dandelion strawberry.