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 aying attention to the media, nowadays, it looks like products of the beverage market are responsible for most of the plagues of the Century. It is surely true that consumption of alcohol must follow healthy criteria of moderation to avoid the bad consequences springing from its abuse. But we have to distinguish between consumption and abuse. Recent studies showed the positive effects that a moderate use of alcohol has on the human body. Alcohol abuse is surely a behaviour to prevent. The first to intervene in this sense, today, are the companies of the sector and those who represent the trait d'union between them and the consumers themselves, to say the barmen. Young people must be educated on how to drink properly, and not just by those who traditionally have been interested in the matter.
In Northern Europe all sorts of legislation, high taxes and age restrictions have done little or nothing to prevent the problems associated with irresponsible drinking. Probably, a correct education to alcohol consumption should pass through social institutions as school and family. Even if in some countries of South Europe the problem is less pronounced, we must be careful: globalisation also means the globalisation of behaviour patterns and it is important to ensure that the trend of 'binge drinking', a decidedly negative evolution in Northern European culture, doesn't spread elsewhere.This is why the most important drink companies in Europe are now focusing on messages that revolve around the cultural aspect of drinking and on the idea of getting on with people as opposed to just getting drunk. In fact, many companies have set codes of conduct where everything from promotional and communicative activities to training must conform to guiding principles. There are also various organisations throughout the world which aim at spreading a culture of moderate alcohol consumption, including ICAP (International Centre for Alcoholic Policies) and the Amsterdam Group. These organizations have their major supporters just in the beverage companies that deeply care about drinking responsibly. Non alcoholic drinks: the new way Among the many wills regarding this problem, barmen's training is on top of the list because, influencing young customers' behaviours, they can direct them toward a responsible drinking. Today, consumers' nutrition habits are various and, moreover, change frequently: a well trained barman has to be able to appeal also to those who prefer to drink wealthy products. Following the trend towards promoting moderate drinking, many bars now offer completely non alcoholic drinks based on fruit or vegetables, with no added sugars and with particular attention being paid to the amount of calories, vitamins and mineral salts. These are called diet drinks. A good diet drink should contain no more than 100 calories, otherwise it is simply a straightforward non alcoholic drink. Each recipe is the result of much hard research leading to the right combination between flavour and nutrients, with a critical eye being kept on calories, and although initially diet drinks were prepared only in spas and the like, now they can be found pretty much everywhere. Today there are also competitions specifically dedicated to diet drinks, but actually every contest for barmen keeps an eye to the nutrient and health features of the drinks prepared: wellness is something that everybody is interested in, and any event related to beverage has to match with everyday habits and lifestyles. Fabio Bacchi NERIADE Ingredients: Preparation: De-stone the cherries. Mix all the ingredients in a blender with a little ice. Pour into a high-ball glass and garnish with some lime peel. Only use fresh fruit and juices. Always blend as opposed to squeeze. Recipe by Giorgio Fadda, winner of the first edition of the diet drinks contest in Saturnia spas, Italy.  |
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