With searches for “mocktail” up 19% YoY (Google Trends: (25 June – 1 July 2023 compared to 23 – 29 June 2024)). Harrogate Spring Water has created a new mocktail for the summer, the ‘Lemon Royale Spritz’.

Described as perfect for sipping in the summer sunshine, this deliciously delicate spritz includes notes of rhubarb, citrus and a botanical hint of lemon thyme.

The trend for mocktails follow fewer than one in five adults stating they drank more in 2023 than in 2022, according to charity Drinkaware, and 30% of men and 26% of women saying they would like to reduce their alcohol intake this year.

If venues are beginning to feel the pinch of people drinking less alcohol this summer, Harrogate Spring Water is encouraging an increase in low- and non-alcoholic options.

This follows research from Harrogate Spring Water that discovered attitudes to drinking alcohol are shifting, as 61% of Brits claim you don’t need alcohol to have fun, and a further 26% saying they can better enjoy a moment when they drink less and prioritise hydration.

As a result, 30% of Brits are opting for more water, non-alcoholic, soft drinks over alcoholic drinks at social occasions. This change is especially prevalent with Gen Z, with 35% having reduced their alcohol intake since last summer, more so than any other generation.

In the past, ‘doubling up’ has typically meant drinking more alcohol, but the tides are changing, as champions of the mindful drinking movement, Harrogate Spring Water, is calling on Brits to ‘double up’ on the fun, memories and moments, by drinking more water and being more mindful. 

New research from Harrogate Spring Water reveals 45% of Brits plan to ‘double up’ this summer, by drinking more water and embracing mindful drinking, with 26% of Brits believing they can better enjoy social occasions when they drink more mindfully.

As a result, 30% of Brits are opting for more water, non-alcoholic, soft drinks over alcoholic drinks at social occasions.

As the summer season sets in, attitudes to drinking are shifting, with Brits now aware of terms like ‘sober sipping’ and ‘hydration hacking’, prompting motivation to mindfully drink. This is particularly true of Gen Z, with 35% having reduced their alcohol intake since last summer, more so than any other generation. 

The younger generation is jumping on the mindful movement in a big way, with TikTok and Instagram inspiring Gen Zs to drink less. The content platforms have seen #sobertok climb in popularity, with 67% of 18 to 27-year-olds reducing their alcohol intake after seeing such mindful drinking content on Instagram, and 37% due to TikTok.

Despite shifting mindsets, 72% claim they do not drink enough water (less than litre a day); with reasons for this ranging from forgetting to hydrate (55%), to not always having water nearby (25%).

Richard Hall, Managing Director at Harrogate Spring Water said, “Over the past few years, we’ve noticed people taking control of their wellbeing, with upping their water intake* being one of the key trends. We know that adults of today are becoming more mindful of both their drinking habits and hydration, with 45% committing to doubling up this summer by drinking more water and embracing mindful drinking. Hydration will be front of mind this summer.”