How Many Young Brits are Opting for No & Low-Alcohol Drinks?

Half of young adults in the UK are now choosing no and low-alcohol drinks to cut down on their drinking habits.

Figures from charity Drinkaware reveal that the number of risky drinkers, those who consume more than 14 units of alcohol per week, opting for alcohol-free alternatives has more than tripled.

Uptake rose from 7% in 2018 to 23% in 2025.

Crucially, 59% of these risky drinkers are using these products as a direct substitute for regular-strength alcohol.

A further 25% use them either as a replacement or addition, depending on the occasion, but just 9% said they drink them alongside regular alcohol.

According to the data, almost half of UK adults (44%) are choosing no and low-alcohol drinks to moderate their drinking, up from 31% in 2018.

Among young adults, that number has jumped from 28% to 49% over the same period.

The report also highlights a sharp rise in alcohol-free consumption, from 18% in 2018 to 31% in 2025. Low-alcohol product use has also increased from 25% to 33%.

Motivations for choosing these drinks vary across gender, class, and generation. Many are driven by health concerns, a desire to drink less, and the improved range and accessibility of alcohol-free options.

Drinkaware’s findings come as the government prepares to launch a public consultation on whether to increase the threshold for alcohol-free branding from 0.05 per cent to 0.5 per cent.

Drinkaware chief executive Karen Tyrell said: “It is great to see young adults leading the charge in the growth of no and low drinks.

“But it is the rise in their use by risky drinkers which shows their potential for helping to reduce alcohol harm.

“The government’s Ten-Year Health Plan for England rightly highlights their growth as an important tool in tackling alcohol harm.

“Swapping a regular beer, wine or cocktail for one of the many no and low-alcohol alternatives is an easy way to cut down on your drinking.”

Laura Willoughby, chief executive and founder of Club Soda Drinks, said:

“Half of young adults moderating their drinking isn’t a fad; it’s a cultural reset.

“The old idea that you need alcohol to have a good time is collapsing, and people are rejecting the limits that come with it.

“The smartest retailers and venues are already adapting, because offering great alcohol-free drinks is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a business essential.”