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Back in the day, before a night out, you’d gather at a mate’s house to down as many WKDs as you could before heading to the nearest Vodka Revs.
The goal was to get as tipsy as possible, so you wouldn’t have to spend much while you were out.
But it seems the younger generation now has a very different approach when it comes to pres.
While you might assume BuzzBallz would be all the rage, it turns out a growing number are opting for a very different kind of beverage before a social occasion.
New research from Twinings has revealed that 47 per cent of Gen Z have replaced alcohol with tea ahead of big moments – and that includes clubbing.
‘My pre-rave ritual isn’t a shot, it’s a cup of tea,’ Mike Williams tells Metro.
The 23-year-old from Kent claims he always makes a cuppa before a big night out, as it gives him a ‘moment to reset’ and helps him get into the mood ‘without feeling all over the place’.
As such, many of his most memorable nights out have involved a cup of tea.
‘Last year, after an underground techno rave that went on until 6AM, a friend and I were stuck waiting for the trains to start running again. We were exhausted, freezing cold, and definitely worse for wear. Then I spotted a coffee shop in Victoria Station that had just opened, and we grabbed a peppermint tea.
‘Honestly, it felt heavenly. After dancing all night, that cup of tea completely revived me.’
Mike is aware of how wholesome it all sounds but doesn’t mind, adding: ‘Tea has become my way of finding a bit of calm before whatever the day or night has in store. It helps me feel grounded.’
And he’s not the only one.
When everyone else is shoving tinnies into their suitcase for Glastonbury or Reading Festival, Ruby Read reaches for the tea bags instead.
The 23-year-old from London loves cracking out a cup of tea in the middle of a festival and always packs her own blends, in case she doesn’t like what’s being served on site.
‘I just ask for hot water from a food van and make my own cup,’ Ruby says.
And she’s not feeling FOMO while others are busy getting drunk, as she prefers something ‘warm and familiar’ in those moments.
‘There’s something so comforting about having a tea in the middle of a festival field, especially when everyone around you is on their third pint.’
As for Isabella Ayala Heaton, a cuppa serves as her secret weapon to calm her nerves before a first date.
‘It helps me get into the right mindset before going out with friends or going on a date,’ the 25-year-old videographer explains.
‘I get that energy boost from a caffeinated tea, but still feel clear-headed, so I guess you could say it’s my own version of Dutch courage.’
She adds that she often orders a cup of tea in a pub instead of a pint, and has been judged for doing so in the past.
‘I did this on a date, and got some funny looks, but we ended up laughing about it, and we’re still together six months later.’
Why is tea proving so popular with Gen Z?
According to the research, 49 per cent of Gen Z say making a cup helps them ‘feel like the main character’ in their own life, as it gives them a chance to mentally prepare for big moments and ‘steadies’ them.
They find the process of making a brew ‘calming’, so much so that for some it’s even become a form of low-effort self-care.
And it’s only ahead of a night out that Gen Z turns the kettle on, as many said they like to make tea before ‘high-pressure’ situations such as big work meetings, driving tests, and when dealing with life admin.
‘This generation has always found their own way to do things, and this research shows that extends to how they prepare for the multitude of moments they are juggling in their busy lives,’ Gill Close, the marketing director at Twinings UK and Ireland, said.
‘A cup of tea has long been part of family life in the UK – a small ritual passed down through generations – but younger consumers are now making it work for them. They’re not walking away from the tradition; they’re adapting it to fit their own routines, tastes and everyday needs.’
Are you a tea drinker?
As for what kind of tea the younger generation is into, it won’t surprise many that it’s not classic English Breakfast or Earl Grey they’ve got a taste for – they like something a little different.
Bryony Osmond, a master blender at Twinings, claims there’s growing interest in ‘lighter’, ‘more purposeful’ tea blends, such as Twinings Glow.
This is a ‘superblend’ of green tea infused with strawberry and cucumber flavoured herbal infusion, aloe vera, and added Biotin. Described as a ‘sweet and refreshing’ drink, this is meant to help skin and hair glow.
Bryony adds: ‘Gen Z are helping reshape what tea means today. They’re looking for blends that feel intentional, flavourful, and reflective of their lifestyles, and Glow has really struck a chord with younger customers.’
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