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CivicScience data continues to reveal a steady decline in alcohol consumption among U.S. adults aged 21 and over. Whether it’s Dry January, trying mocktails or non-alcoholic beers, or scaling back during the holidays, Americans are drinking less—and that trend shows no signs of slowing as we head into summer.

With the Fourth of July, summer vacations, and backyard cookouts just around the corner, the number of traditional drinking occasions is on the rise. But how are evolving preferences and broader economic uncertainties reshaping what Americans are drinking? Here’s what the latest data uncovers about shifting summer drinking habits.

Summer drinking isn’t what it used to be.

New CivicScience data show a clear seasonal slowdown in alcohol consumption among U.S. adults aged 21 and older. This summer, drinkers are three times more likely to say they’re drinking less (33%) rather than more (11%) – a notable nine percentage point increase in those cutting back compared to summer 2024.

Gen Z adults (aged 21-29) are the most likely age group to report drinking more than they did last summer, though they’re still much more likely to be drinking ‘less’ than prior summers. Meanwhile, millennials (aged 30-44) are the most likely to say they’re drinking less, though the lead is modest. Women and those in middle-income households are also among the most likely to be scaling back this season.

Economic outlook appears to play a role as well. Adults 21+ who feel uncertain or neutral about the future are far more likely to drink less than usual, while those who feel confident about what lies ahead are much more inclined to say they’re drinking more.


Weigh-In: Do you spend more or less money on alcohol in the summer than you do during the rest of the year?


Cost and social factors are driving the decline in drinking, with soda and cannabis filling the gap.

While improving physical health remains the leading reason adults are drinking less, its dominance is beginning to slip. This summer, adults 21+ are four percentage points more likely to cite cost as a deterrent compared to last year, and slightly more likely to point to relationship improvements and the influence of friends who are also drinking less. A sizable share also say they simply don’t enjoy alcohol like they used to, though that number has dipped slightly from 2024.

So what are people reaching for instead? Among adults who drink but are consuming less than usual, nearly 30% are turning to soda or seltzer to fill the gap, followed by cannabis and CBD products (20%). These patterns closely reflect the substitution behaviors seen during Dry January. Roughly 10% are opting for mocktails or tobacco and e-cigarettes, while fewer than 10% are choosing non-alcoholic beer.


Answer our Poll: What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink for the summer?


Declining summer drinking also means more people are embracing dry vacations.

Summer vacations – a time when alcohol consumption often spikes– are now reflecting the broader decline in drinking. Despite potentially being off work and out of their regular routines, many travelers are intentionally skipping alcohol while away. The “dry-tripping” trend that gained traction last year is still going strong in summer 2025.

More than half of vacationing drinkers say they plan to take at least one alcohol-free trip this summer. Those who regularly drink brown spirits and tequila are the most likely to abstain from alcohol during their travels over the next 90 days, while frequent beer drinkers are far less likely to opt in.


Use this Data: CivicScience has access to real-time insights like these, allowing them to understand how broader economic uncertainty is shifting behaviors this summer and beyond.


Traditionally, summer has been a season marked by increased drinking, driven by social gatherings, travel, and outdoor events. But as more Americans choose to cut back – motivated by health goals, rising costs, and shifting social dynamics – summer drinking habits are clearly evolving. These changes may signal a new normal, with potential implications for alcohol consumption patterns year-round.

Economic uncertainty is casting a shadow on summer plans, and it’s impacting your customers. See how — we’re already tracking it.