For generations, a stiff drink has been associated with calming nerves before a daunting event. But for many young Britons, the ritual appears to be changing, and the answer may now be found in the kettle.

New research commissioned by tea brand Twinings found that 47% of Gen Z adults aged 18 to 27 say tea has replaced alcohol as their version of 'Dutch courage'. That compares with 37% of the general population and just 25% of Baby Boomers.

The findings suggest that tea is taking on a more deliberate role among younger adults, becoming something to reach for before a stressful, exciting, or socially significant moment rather than simply a routine drink.

Tea as a Pre-Event Ritual

The research found that 62% of Gen Z respondents had made a cup of tea specifically to mentally prepare for something, compared with 40% of Baby Boomers.

The situations prompting a 'preparation brew' range from genuinely nerve-racking occasions to everyday moments. Driving tests, university exams, and important work meetings all feature among the situations in which younger adults turn to tea. Other examples include commuting to the office, exercising, starting a new job, and even opening a work inbox after returning from holiday.

For 25-year-old videographer Isabella Ayala Heaton, tea has become a regular part of preparing for nights out and dates. She described the drink as providing an energy boost while allowing her to remain clear-headed, calling it her own version of Dutch courage.

The ritual itself may be part of the appeal. Almost a third of Gen Z respondents, 32%, described making tea as a calming process, while 25% viewed it as a form of 'low-effort self-care'. A further 21% said they enjoyed the physical process of preparing tea because it gave them a break from screens.

Is Gen Z Really Giving Up Alcohol?

The findings fit into a broader shift in how younger adults approach drinking, although they should not be interpreted as meaning that Gen Z has stopped drinking alcohol altogether.

A 2024 research from IWSR found that younger legal-drinking-age Gen Z consumers were increasingly experimenting with abstinence and moderation, although patterns vary substantially between countries.

UK research has similarly pointed to changing attitudes towards alcohol. Studies of young people have identified concerns about alcohol-related harm, changing social environments, and affordability as reasons behind declining youth drinking.

Tea, meanwhile, remains familiar but is being used differently. Earlier research from Nationwide found that 74% of 16- to 28-year-olds considered tea essential to their lives, while 59% had used a teapot in the previous week.

A New Role for an Old Drink

Bryony Osmond, Master Blender at Twinings UK & Ireland, said Gen Z was helping to reshape what tea represents, with younger consumers looking for blends that feel 'intentional, flavourful and reflective of their lifestyles'.

Gill Close, Marketing Director at Twinings UK & Ireland, similarly said younger consumers were not necessarily abandoning the UK's tea tradition but adapting it to fit their own routines and needs.

That may be the more interesting part of the trend. Tea is not necessarily replacing alcohol because young adults want another intoxicating experience. Instead, the ritual offers something quite different: a familiar pause, a small amount of caffeine for some drinkers, and a moment to gather their thoughts before whatever comes next.

For a generation increasingly conscious of alcohol, health and mental wellbeing, the humble cuppa may simply be becoming a more appealing way to face life's awkward moments.

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