Make mine a water ...sobering choice of today's young adults

YOUNGSTERS have become increasingly thirsty for low-alcohol versions of traditional boozy favourites - and not just for Dry January.

- Sarah O'Grady

Sales of soft drinks and low-alcohol lagers, beers and wines are being boosted by a huge rise in the number of sober young adults who are drinking either less booze or none at all.

Some 44% of 18 to 24-year-olds were regular drinkers of alcohol alternatives last year - a significant increase from 31% in 2022.

And this age group is the most abstemious, with 39% describing themselves as teetotal, according to the sixth annual survey by alcohol regulator the Portman Group.

The poll of 2,197 adults showed a clear trend towards increasing moderation among UK drinkers of all ages.

Some 23% of all those who took part in the survey said they have cut their booze intake by swapping to low or no-alcohol drinks - up from 21% a year earlier.

More than a third now consider themselves an occasional or regular drinker of alcohol alternatives - a significant increase on 29% in 2022.

Teetotal

Meanwhile the number of teetotal young people choosing not to drink alcohol at all has been increasing.