What is Zebra Striping? The drinking trend Gen Z use to lower alcohol consumption

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After a month on festive drinks, January is traditionally a time for cutting back on booze. Approximately 9 million people each year plan to abstain from alcohol for the month, as per a survey by a UK organisation called Alcohol Change UK. However, it's not clear how many people actually stick to their resolutions. If you didn't quite manage a boozy-free January but wish to reduce your alcohol intake, have a look to see what the younger generation are doing.

People are more inclined to control their alcohol consumption. A survey conducted by KAM insights and Lucky Saint, a non-alcoholic beer brand, discovered that 78% of Gen Z individuals mix alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on social occasions, a practice adopted by two-thirds of adults.

Around 25% of adults adopt an even more rigorous approach of "zebra striping", where they alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks while drinking. This is a way of moderating alcohol intake and staying hydrated, which gives the liver more time to process alcohol and might lower the risk of a severe hangover the following morning.

Brewing a sobriety trend isn't just confined to Dry January: according to supermarket Tesco, sales of low and alcohol-free beer rose by 20% in December compared to January. “It's become increasingly fashionable, particularly among younger folk, to keep things in balance at these key times of year – a trend that's clearly evident in demand for no and low drinks over Christmas,” said David Albon, a beer and cider buyer at Tesco.

Zebra striping follows the old custom of having a glass of water for every alcoholic drink, but programmes in soft drinks and alcohol-free options. It's also a boon in a cost of living crisis, where you're hard pressed to find a pint in a London pub for less than £7. It's also a more achievable way to successfully cut down on alcohol in the long term rather than going dry for a limited period.

“2024 has undoubtedly been the year of Zebra Striping, as consumers are switching between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This trend is being driven by the diverse array of tasty no and low beverages now available in stores,” notes Sarah Holland, No and Low Buyer at Waitrose. The supermarket has discovered that sales of no and low drinks have increased by 19% over the past year, with non-alcoholic beers such as 0.0% Guinness soaring by 159%.

Drinking tap water with ice can get quite dull, so Waitrose suggest adding a bit of flair to your non-alcoholic drinks. "Serve non-alcoholic options with the same care and ceremony as you would a glass of wine. Use a nice glass, add a garnish and some clear ice to make it feel like a special treat."

You can offset the gloomy mood that often comes after the festive period by having a zero or low-alcohol option available, which can lead to a clearer mind, more cash in your pocket and, based on my observations, a lighter feeling during the winter months.

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