Retailers say appetite for alcoholic drinks that are about half the strength of the traditional versions is soaring
Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations often used to result in a hangover the next day, but with moderation now the order of the day the new drinks industry buzzword is “coasting”.
This involves choosing a white wine, lager or even a cocktail that is about half the strength of the traditional version of the drink – meaning you can have the same number of drinks without feeling the worse for wear.
Vanessa Pearson, Ocado Retail’s trading manager for beers, wines and spirits, credits “coasting” for a “huge increase in customer interest in mid-strength wine”. In 2025 its sales of these types of wines soared 4,000% as the nascent category gained ground.
As the name implies, “mid-strength” drinks occupy the middle ground between no and low-alcohol (nolo) and standard options. There is no firm industry definition yet, but the beers and ciders are about 2-3% alcohol by volume, wines 3-9% and spirits 15-20%.
