Four in ten Brits plan to cut back on the booze this Christmas – with fizzy drinks (26%) and orange juice (22%) among the most popular non-alcoholic choices.
Some of the top reasons for reducing alcoholic intake this festive season include attempting to be healthier (40%) and wanting to drink more mindfully (38%) – with one in three citing the cost of alcoholic beverages.
And the poll of 2,000 adults found that one in five Gen Z adults plan to cut out alcohol completely during their celebrations this year.
But more than half (52%) admit that plans to stick to soft drinks at a party might fail – with 26% worried there is a “danger window”, when they might be tempted to enjoy an alcoholic tipple at a festive event.
And 43% of respondents also admitted they are easily persuaded to “have another” boozy beverage.
In response to the findings, expert mixologist “The Cocktail Guy”, aka Rich Woods, has partnered with SodaStream, which commissioned the research, to create a delicious “Fizz-tive Menu” of low- and no-alcohol drinks.
He said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy a special drink this Christmas, whether it’s low alcohol or completely alcohol-free. I hope people enjoy my sparkling creations.”
The study also found traditional mulled wine topped the poll for best-loved festive cocktail – followed by a champagne cocktail, Buck’s Fizz, the Snowball, and Christmas punch.
Of the regular party drink choices during the festive period, red wine topped the list (29%) – while fizz still flows for festive revellers, as sparkling wine remains ever popular (23%).
And “cocktail envy” (38%), a boring choice of soft drinks at a party (24%), and not enough variety of mocktails (21%), keep glasses full of wine and lager at Christmas.
As a result, four in ten (39%) would like to offer an exciting mocktail option for their guests if they were hosting a party – but half of those (51%) aren't confident they’d know how.
It also emerged 17% of adults plan on attending, while 17% will host, more social occasions this Christmas season compared to previous years.
The study, conducted via OnePoll, found three in ten have had someone ask them why they’re not drinking alcohol at a party.
And 19% have deliberately ordered soft drinks that look alcoholic in the glass.
Tiago Alves, managing director UK & IE of SodaStream, said: “The festive season is back in full swing, and it’s great to see that many people will be socialising more this December.
“We challenge anyone who isn’t confident of their mocktail-making skills to just give one of these recipes a try – you’ll have fun and impress your guests all at the same time.”
THE FIZZTIVE DRINKS MENU:
1. WARMING AND WINTERY WHISKY AND GINGER (Serve in a highball)
Ingredients :
- SodaStream Ginger Ale infused with cinnamon
- SodaStream sparkling water
- Scotch whisky (25ml only)
- Apple fan (to garnish)
- Ice
Method :
- In a small, sealable Tupperware container, measure two capfuls of the SodaStream Ginger Ale flavour, and add two cinnamon sticks (broken)
- Seal and leave to infuse in the fridge for a minimum of 20 minutes. Ideally leave for four hours for maximum flavour
- Carbonate tap water using your SodaStream
- Add a capful of the cinnamon-infused SodaStream Ginger Ale flavour to the sparkling water
- Add ice and the Scotch whisky to the glass as well as the sparkling water infusion
- To garnish, thinly slice an apple and fan to add to the top of your glass
- Mix all ingredients with whisky in glass, and add apple garnish
2. CHRISTMAS CLEMENTINE GIN & TONIC (Serve in a highball)
Ingredients :
- SodaStream Diet Tonic
- SodaStream sparkling water
- 25ml clementine skin infused gin (or, if you prefer, non-alcoholic gin)
- Ice
Method :
- In a sealable Tupperware container, add the zest of two to three clementines, and pour over 100ml of gin (enough to make four drinks)
- Seal and leave to infuse in the fridge for a minimum of 20 minutes. Ideally leave for two hours for maximum flavour
- Carbonate tap water using your SodaStream
- In a glass, add ice, 25ml of the infused gin, and top with sparkling water
- Garnish with clementine leaves
- *Note: The juice from the leftover clementine can be used in the Festive Aperol Spritz below, to minimise food waste
3. FESTIVE APEROL SPRITZ (Serve in a wine glass)
Ingredients :
- 25ml Aperol
- Juice from x2 clementines
- SodaPress Co Kombucha – Passionfruit and Mandarin
- Approx. 75ml Prosecco
- SodaStream sparkling water
- Ice
Method :
- Carbonate tap water using your SodaStream, and add a capful of the SodaPress Co Kombucha – Passionfruit and Mandarin flavour
- Fill a wine glass with ice, and add the Aperol, clementine juice, and Prosecco
- Top with SodaStream Kombucha sparkling water
- Top with fresh ice if needed
4. WHITE (CHRISTMAS) SANGRIA (Serve in a wine glass)
Ingredients :
- 50ml non-alcoholic cider cordial infused with apples and blackberries
- SodaStream sparkling water
For the cordial :
- Pour non-alcoholic cider into a pan over a medium heat. Add a handful of blackberries and half a sliced apple
- Using the back of a spoon, squeeze the blackberries to encourage the infusion, whilst the cider reduces
- Once the cider has reduced by half, allow it to cool and filter. Mix in 50% sugar until it dissolves
Method :
- Half fill your glass with ice, and add a couple of blackberries and a couple slices of apples. Top the rest with ice
- Add 50ml of the non-alcoholic cider cordial
- Carbonate tap water using your SodaStream, and top your glass
- Garnish with a large mint sprig and a blackberry
TOP 20 CHRISTMAS PARTY SEASON COCKTAILS:
- Mulled wine
- Champagne cocktail
- Buck's Fizz
- Snowball
- Christmas punch
- Christmas margarita
- Eggnog
- Mulled cider
- White Russian
- Christmas in Manhattan
- Peppermint mojito
- Campari spritz
- Spiced Negroni
- Hot toddy
- Peppermint martii
- Sloe gin fizz
- Cranberry Old Fashioned
- Holiday sangria
- Boulevardia
- Poinsettia
