Shelby King and Benno Nelson want people to imagine a world where “non-alcoholic beverages” means more than sugary sodas, sweet juices and imitations of traditional boozy drinks that fall flat. The couple founded Five Corners Beverage Co. in November 2023 to turn that vision into a reality and meet a growing market need.

“I got sober like seven and a half years ago and my wife ultimately decided to stop drinking alcohol too,” said Nelson. “We were trying everything on the market, and just felt like everything was either trying to be alcohol or was a de-alcoholized version of a familiar alcohol beverage.”

U.S. alcohol consumption is at its lowest point in 90 years, according to a mid-2024 Gallup survey, fueling a growing market for more interesting and tastier alcohol-free options. Nonalcoholic drinks now fall into five categories: alcohol-free beer and wine, spirit alternatives, ready-to-drink mocktails, adaptogenic beverages (mushroom coffee is one of these), and hemp-derived THC and CBD drinks. But a sixth category, that isn’t looking to mimic the flavor or texture of alcohol or provide any kind of mood inhibitor, is steadily emerging.

This is where Five Corners Beverage Co. shines.

Their product line includes a trio of 8.4 oz. cans, wrapped in a clean, bold and modern design. A salted lemonade inspired by nimbu pani, meaning “lemon/lime water” in Hindi, an Indian-style lemonade spiked with cumin and black salt; sangrita, a Mexican, non-alcoholic tomato-based savory sidecar typically paired with tequila resembling a michelada; and the just-launched pickleback, a salty, tart and vegetal drink made with pickle brine, cucumber and celery.

Each mini can comes imprinted with the company’s backstory and each case contains 24 cans. Its name is derived from the five basic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami) and “draws inspiration from the five corners of the globe: north, south, east, west and home.”

As for questions around cultural appropriation, Nelson said the company approaches those conversations through transparency and attribution.

“We’re really transparent about our story,” said Nelson. “We don’t take credit for inventing these drinks. Our part is to shine a light on these drinks from around the world and show that not drinking alcohol is okay and normal and a balance across all cultures.”

Nelson continues, “We say, ‘hey, the story of sangrita is really interesting. It’s this drink that grew up in Mexico alongside tequila. It has a bunch of variations, originally for sipping and here’s how we’re highlighting that recipe,’ as opposed to, in any way, trying to take credit for it, or say this is something that we need invented.”

That emphasis on context and acknowledgment, Nelson said, is important to how the brand shows up, particularly as interest in nonalcoholic drinks continues to grow. For Five Corners, that means balancing expansion with education about the origins and traditions behind any product with deep, cultural roots. As a result, the company has been well received in Chicago and plans to continue investing in its growth there, despite interest from other markets.

“As a very small business, we’ve been very encouraged by the progress and the the feedback that we’ve been getting from the city,” said Nelson. “We’re on track to sell and do our biggest month yet.”

Five Corners beverages are available nationwide and at more than 60 retailers across the city.

Photo courtesy of Five Corners Beverage Co.