While the food industry has been quick to respond to consumer demands for more natural products, many alcohol brands have been slow to ditch the heavy reliance on sugar, sweeteners and other artificial ingredients. One brand that is helping to challenge the status quo and pioneer the shift to more natural cocktail options is SoCIAL LITE Vodka.

SoCIAL LITE Vodka is the only pre-mixed cocktail in North America that contains “no sugar, no sweetener and no artificial ingredients.” In fact, each 355mL can is filled with nothing but premium Canadian vodka, sparkling water and 100% natural flavoring. The result is a refreshing, gluten-free cocktail that clocks in at a mere 80 calories per serving. All of this information is clearly stated on the product’s nutritional label — a practice which is largely uncommon in the alcohol industry.

Trend Hunter recently had a chance to speak to two of SoCIAL LITE Vodka’s co-founders, Dan Beach and Neetu Godara, about how their company is filling a crucial gap in the marketplace. They explain how it was their own desire to make healthier choices that led them to create a cocktail that is completely free from sugar and artificial sweeteners. After countless kitchen experiments, the Whitby-based brand came up with an all-natural recipe that was an instant hit among Canadians. Since hitting the market, the brand has even expanded beyond its original Lime Ginger mix to include a citrusy Pineapple Mango flavor and a refreshing Lemon Cucumber Mint variety.