Gin and tonic has overtaken tea because the nation’s favorite drink, marking a major shift in British client habits.
A current survey carried out as a part of the sixth annual Bacardi Cocktail Tendencies Report discovered that 44% of Britons now go for a G&T when assembly buddies, narrowly surpassing the 41% preferring a standard cup of tea. The remaining 15% have been undecided between the 2 quintessentially British drinks.
The UK’s gin market continues to flourish, reinforcing its place because the world’s largest. Final 12 months, gin gross sales reached £750 million, reflecting a sustained enthusiasm for the spirit that dates again to the seventeenth century. This contrasts sharply with the declining tea market, the place gross sales of on a regular basis black tea manufacturers like PG Ideas and Yorkshire Tea fell by 6% in 2022 to £341 million. Analysis agency Mintel forecasts an extra 8% decline between 2023 and 2028.
The altering tide in beverage preferences is additional evidenced by the struggles of Britain’s oldest tea model, Typhoo Tea, which not too long ago entered administration attributable to over £70 million in debt and waning demand. In the meantime, the rise of “cocktail culture” is gaining momentum, particularly amongst youthful customers. Practically half of Gen Z respondents—these aged 18 to 29—expressed a choice for celebrating particular events with a cocktail as a substitute of Champagne. Moreover, 35% are extra seemingly to decide on a cocktail over beer, and 29% over wine in comparison with final 12 months.
Davide Zanardo of Bacardi UK & Eire famous: “The G&T tops our poll for 2025, so perhaps it’s not surprising it’s now rivalling the cup of tea as the country’s national drink.”
This shift presents each challenges and alternatives for companies within the beverage business. Whereas conventional tea manufacturers face declining gross sales, the spirits sector is poised for development as client tastes evolve. The choice for gin and tonic, together with different cocktails like piña coladas and mojitos, indicators a altering panorama that corporations might want to navigate rigorously
