Light Alcoholic Beverages: Popular Picks
As the UK’s drinking habits continue to evolve, a clear shift towards low-alcohol and non-alcoholic options has emerged. With alcohol consumption declining and consumer preferences changing, the market is witnessing a surge in awareness and demand for light cocktails and other refreshing, low-ABV alternatives.
Key Takeaways:
- Declining Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol consumption has fallen from 67% in 2022 to 54% in 2025 among UK adults, with factors like cannabis use and health-conscious trends driving the change.
- Surge in Session Beers/Ciders: Consumer awareness of low-ABV session beers and ciders increased from 44% in 2024 to 49% in 2026, positioning them as “longer session” drinks.
- Price Consciousness Fueling Accessible Options: Consumers are gravitating towards better-value categories like standard beer and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails amid shrinking alcohol budgets.
- Non-Alcoholic/Low-Alc Market Explosion: The non-alcoholic beverage market is expected to grow from £298.4 billion in 2024 to £457 billion by 2030, while the global RTD market is projected to reach £76.06 billion by 2035.
- Diverse Consumer Preferences: 92% of non-alcoholic buyers still purchase alcohol, highlighting the need for a varied and inclusive range of light alcoholic beverages.
Declining Overall Alcohol Consumption
The UK’s drinking habits have undergone a significant shift in recent years, with overall alcohol consumption declining from 67% in 2022 to 54% in 2025 among adults. This trend is not exclusive to the UK, as similar patterns have been observed across the US and Europe, with global consumption falling below the peak levels of the early 2000s.
Several factors have contributed to this decline, including the rising popularity of cannabis, which has surpassed alcohol in daily use, and the increasing use of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, which have been shown to reduce cravings for alcohol. Additionally, a growing emphasis on health and wellness has influenced consumer preferences, with more individuals seeking to moderate their alcohol intake.
Awareness Surge for Session Beers and Ciders
Alongside the overall decline in alcohol consumption, the market has witnessed a surge in awareness and demand for session beers and low-ABV ciders. Consumer awareness of these low-alcohol options has increased from 44% in 2024 to 49% in 2026, positioning them as “longer session” drinks that appeal to those seeking extended social occasions without heavy intoxication.
According to a study by Penn State, this increased awareness and appeal of session beers and ciders is driven by the desire for extended social occasions without the risk of heavy intoxication. As consumers seek to strike a balance between socialising and maintaining control, these light cocktails and low-ABV options have gained significant traction.
Price Consciousness Boosts Accessible Light Options
The decline in overall alcohol consumption has also been influenced by growing price consciousness among consumers. Faced with shrinking alcohol budgets, even among high earners, UK adults are favouring more accessible and better-value categories, such as standard beer and RTD cocktails.
This shift is particularly evident among younger generations, with the number of categories consumed per occasion decreasing from 2.8 to 1.8 in just two years. As on-trade visits decline and RTD growth surges, the affordability factor is playing a significant role in driving the popularity of light alcoholic beverages.
Non-Alcoholic and Low-Alcohol Market Explosion
Perhaps the most striking development in the UK’s drinking landscape is the explosive growth of the non-alcoholic (NA) and low-alcohol beverage market. The NA beverage market is projected to expand from £298.4 billion in 2024 to £457 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%.
Concurrently, the global RTD market is expected to grow from £35.14 billion in 2025 to £76.06 billion by 2035, a remarkable 116.45% increase. Within this segment, spirits-based RTDs are leading the charge, accounting for 79.8% of the volume.
Interestingly, despite the surge in NA and low-alcohol options, 92% of non-alcoholic buyers still purchase alcohol, underscoring the need for a diverse range of light cocktail drinks and low-calorie alcoholic beverages to cater to the evolving preferences of UK consumers.
Conclusion
The UK’s drinking landscape is undoubtedly undergoing a remarkable transformation, with a clear shift towards low-alcohol and non-alcoholic options. From declining overall alcohol consumption to the surge in awareness and demand for session beers and ciders, the market is adapting to the evolving preferences of health-conscious, price-conscious, and discerning UK consumers.
As the light cocktails and low-ABV segment continues to grow, it will be crucial for businesses to stay attuned to these trends and offer a diverse range of accessible, refreshing, and responsible alcoholic choices to meet the changing needs of the UK market.
Sources:
Penn State
Extension.psu.edu/alcoholic-beverage-trends-2026
Ansira.com/2026-alcohol-trends-what-to-expect-in-the-coming-year
IWSR.com/six-key-drivers-shaping-beverage-alcohol-in-2026-and-beyond
SouthernGlazers.com/top-10-drink-trends-from-the-2026-liquid-insights-tour
GoodCulture.com/the-2026-no-low-alcohol-report
Vypr.co.uk/low-and-no-alcohol-the-biggest-drinking-trend-of-2026
NIQ.com/en/what-does-2026-have-in-store-for-drinks-trends-and-hospitality-operators
LearnBrands.com/2026-alcohol-industry-outlook-market-trends-reshaping-the-future-of-drinking
Datassential.com/the-top-10-beverage-trends-to-know-for-2026
