Growing up, summer always had the same distinct flavor for me — it had to be slightly citrus and tart in a glass of ice filled to the brim. It’s not complicated, but it is specific. However, there have been many spins on summer drinks for the past several years and if you’ve noticed how summer drink orders are looking lately, you’re not the only one. Something is shifting in the way Gen Z approaches beverages, and it goes a lot deeper than swapping a cocktail for a mocktail.
We’re talking about a full generational perspective of what a drink is supposed to be — and what it’s supposed to feel like. The data backs it up, the bartenders are seeing it in real time and the drinks blowing up this summer tell the whole story.
Gen Z is drinking differently
Riley Ross is 24 years old and serves as a Director of Hospitality and Beverage Program at Restaurant Constance and Grey’s Diner in Charlotte, North Carolina. She’s not just observing Gen Z drinking culture from the outside — she is part of it. “I think Gen Z approaches drinking differently because they are placing more value on intentional experiences rather than routine experience,” Ross said. “Guests want to feel seen as individuals — whether that means a thoughtfully made cocktail, a spirit-free option that feels just as elevated, or a drink that connects to the season and local ingredients.”
That intentionality isn’t just by her own words. In a recent survey conducted by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking, nearly half of all Americans said their drinking approach has become more intentional over time. Among Gen Z specifically, that number jumps to 64%. According to Julian Braithwaite, president and CEO of the IARD, this type of act is a generational move.
“People still want to gather and celebrate,” Braithwaite said. “They just want to do it in a way that fits their lives. What we’re seeing is that moderation is increasingly becoming part of how people socialize — not a barrier to enjoying your summer.
What drinks are blowing up right now?
Forget the aperol spritzes and fruity slushies. According to Braithwaite, the real sleeper hits of summer 2026 are all taking over TikTok, nightlife and culture right now — and they all point the same direction.
Nonna maxxing is swapping big nights out for slower moments: dinner parties, wine on the patio and cozy get-togethers. Coasting is about maintaining a light buzz rather than drinking to get drunk — spritzes, lower-ABV cocktails and longer nights out that don’t end in regret. Zebra stripping means alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the night to stay social without overdoing it. Then there are daycaps — earlier drinks, earlier nights and social plans that don’t hinder your sleep schedule or your Sunday morning workout.
What actually makes a drink feel like summer?
Okay, so is it the ingredients? The temperature? Well, Ross’ answer is more specific than you think, and it’s one of those things that sounds obvious once someone says it out loud. “A drink feels summery when it reflects the same philosophy that drives the kitchen: sourcing ingredients that are locally sourced and in season, she says. “Summer cocktails feel lighter, brighter and more refreshing, but they also tell a story about what is growing locally and what season we are in.”