Top Five Trends in Alcoholic Drinks

August 2025

The alcohol industry remains on the defensive, facing a perfect storm of cyclical macroeconomic upheaval and structural lifestyle shifts. Which are the key trends deciphering that predicament and offering a pathway to growth against the gloom?

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Key Findings

Structural and cyclical: A perfect storm

From structural lifestyle shifts to cyclical macroeconomic headwinds, risks will remain skewed to the downside in the short to medium term.

Moderation’s intoxicating potential

As sober curiosity gains further traction, consumption rates and occasions remain under pressure. However, non-alcoholic adult beverages are witnessing skyrocketing performances and are becoming embedded in drinking rituals.

RTDs shapeshift yet again

As the hard seltzer wave fades away, spirit-based, wine-based and non-alcoholic RTDs are coming under the spotlight, spearheading innovation and reconnecting with brand promiscuous younger demographics.

Localisation gains traction

Domestic production is rising as an answer to a fragmented and polarised world that is increasingly turning inwards. Mirroring overarching deglobalisation trends, going local could be an answer to markets beset by tariffs, barriers and trade disputes, while capitalising on a renewed sense of national pride.

An antidote to a polarised, fragmented world

As neoprohibitionist rhetoric gains traction, the industry will need to be vocal about its role as a pillar of community and, ultimately, bringing people together against the backdrop of creeping isolationism.

 

Our expert’s view of alcoholic drinks in 2024
Key findings
Finding opportunity against a sobering backdrop
Top five trends in alcoholic drinks
Top five trends uncovered
Cyclical or structural?
Guinness: a stout pushback against stagnation and sobering headwinds
Inherent resilience against the tides of crisis
Deglobalisation in action?
Single malt evolving beyond its Scotch roots
Going local: navigating a post-globalisation world
Smaller answers to big questions
Patron El Alto mini: small solution to bigger problems?
Smaller sizes: An answer to bigger problems?
An intoxicatingly sober future
Curiously experimental: “It’s not a beer, it’s a boost”
The intoxicating appeal of sobriety
RTDs: Back under the spotlight
Surfing the spirit-based RTD wave: Surfside
RTDs are dead, long live RTDs
Future implications
Opportunities for growth

Alcoholic Drinks

Alcoholic drinks is the aggregation of beer, wine, spirits, cider/perry and RTDs.

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