2025
9
US White Spirits Market Report 2025
2025-11-13T12:04:06+00:00
REP25842A4E_B0ED_480D_A041_488A24133083
4400
188570
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Report
en_GB
Spirits consumers have consistently increased their consumption since 2023, with 34% of spirits drinkers say they are drinking more spirits in 2025 compared to 2024. Despite a rise among some…
US
Spirits and RTD
simple

US White Spirits Market Report 2025

"Variety, versatility and value will be essential to maintain sales of vodka, tequila, rum and gin at a time when consumers are rethinking their drinking."

Jenny Zegler, Director, Mintel Food & Drink

Jenny Zegler, Director, Mintel Food & Drink

US White Spirits Industry – Trends and Insights

  • Spirits consumers have consistently increased their consumption since 2023, with 34% of spirits drinkers say they are drinking more spirits in 2025 compared to 2024.
  • Despite a rise among some drinkers, adults who drink white spirits also are likely to drink beer, wine, dark spirits and RTDs. This creates challenges for white spirits brands to remain relevant to consumers who are interested in so many different types of alcohol.
  • Mintel forecasts that sales of distilled white and dark spirits will grow minimally from $99.9 billion in 2025 to $106 billion in 2030. The K-shaped economy in US means adults with disposable income are willing to spend on premium spirits, yet many more are reducing their alcohol consumption to save money and/or as part of healthy lifestyle goals.
  • On the premium end, tequila and mezcal are the only segments of white spirits that are growing in sales in recent years. This trend could continue as younger consumers see tequila as sophisticated and expensive: splurging on super-premium tequilas could be the expensive sneaker or designer purse of the alcohol world.

Key Topics Covered in the Report:

  • Alcohol consumption, frequency and trends from 2023-25
  • White spirits consumption, purchases and trends from 2024-25
  • Changes in spirit consumption and trends from 2024-25 and reasons for change
  • Ways of consuming white spirits
  • Perception of specific types of white spirits and white spirits purchase factors
  • Attitudes toward white spirits
Collapse All
  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for white spirits
    • Opportunities
    • Brands can emphasize versatility and flavor
    • Top brands need a refresh to return to relevance
    • Alcohol is losing infrequent drinkers
    • Graph 1: alcohol consumption frequency, 2023-25
  2. THE MARKET

    • Snapshot – market size and forecast
    • Consumers and the economic outlook
    • Market factors
    • Ready-to-drink cocktails are eclipsing the popularity of spirits
    • Shifts in tariff policies could cause white spirits consumers to switch
    • Alcohol is a cost that can be cut by lower-income households
    • Graph 2: change in frequency of drinking compared to one year ago, by household income, 2025
    • On the other hand, some consumers are spending more on premium and super-premium spirits
    • Market size and forecast
    • Spirits sales are forecast to see slower momentum through 2030
    • Sales and forecast of distilled white and dark spirits
    • Graph 3: market value forecast of distilled spirits, at current prices, 2019-2030
    • Sales and forecast of spirits
    • Market segmentation
    • Sales of white spirits, by segment
    • Graph 4: volume sales and forecast of white spirits, 2020-27
    • Sales of white spirits, by segment
    • Market share and brand share
    • Vodka leads spirits sales, but sees its category dominance slip
    • Sales of vodka, by volume and brand share
    • Tequila stays in the spotlight even though its growth slowed 2024
    • Sales of tequila, by volume and brand share
    • Rum sales, especially white rum, are shrinking
    • Sales of rum*, by volume and brand share
    • Gin sales slump, but Hendrick’s and other craft brands are able to find growth
    • Sales of gin, by brand
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Consumer fast facts
    • The white spirits consumer
    • White spirits stays competitive with wine, although both are beat out by beer
    • White spirits gender gap overshadowed by beer, dark spirits
    • Graph 5: consumption of white spirits – NET – any drink, by gender, 2025
    • Consumers’ quest for variety adds competition, as most white spirits consumers also drink many other types of alcohol
    • Graph 6: any consumption of alcohol by consumption of white spirits, 2025
    • White spirits purchase
    • White spirits consumers are equally interested in flavored and unflavored options
    • Flavored vodka and tequila bring in Black consumers; Hispanics are drawn to flavored tequila, mezcal and rum
    • Graph 7: purchase of white spirits, by race or ethnicity, 2025
    • Variety keeps drinkers aged 22-54 engaged
    • Graph 8: purchase of white spirits, by gender and age, 2025
    • While other white spirits retain drinkers, flavored tequila and mezcal welcome new ones
    • Graph 9: purchase of white spirits, 2023-25
    • Half of white spirits consumers seek variety within the category
    • Graph 10: repertoire of white spirit purchases, 2025
    • Graph 11: repertoire of white spirits purchase, by gender and age, 2025
    • Change in spirit consumption
    • Spirits see gains in consumption in the past three years
    • Graph 12: change in spirit consumption than one year ago, 2023-25
    • Flavored and flavorful white spirits are bringing in more drinkers
    • Graph 13: change in consumption of white spirits by individual white spirits types, 2025
    • Men aged 22-54 are most likely to increase drinking, followed by women of the same age
    • Graph 14: change in consumption, by gender and age, 2025
    • Reasons for drinking more spirits
    • Relaxation leads, but consumers are switching up where and what they drink
    • Graph 15: reasons for drinking more spirits, 2025
    • Malibu campaign encourages people to “Clock Off”
    • Socialization is driving a rise in women’s consumption
    • Graph 16: reasons for drinking spirits more often, by gender, 2025
    • Content creators showcase restaurant-quality batch cocktails at home
    • Value and wellness trends are reflected in changes in reasons to drink more between 2024 and 2025
    • Graph 17: reasons for drinking more spirits, 2023-25
    • Reasons for drinking fewer spirits
    • Spirits drinkers who are cutting back are motivated by health and value as well
    • Graph 18: reasons for drinking less spirits, by spirits consumption, 2025
    • Spirits drinkers who are drinking less are finding their own paths to enjoyable moderation in 2025, compared with 2023
    • Graph 19: select trended reasons for drinking less spirits, 2023-25
    • Ways of consuming white spirits
    • Mixed drinks and classic cocktails lead at-home consumption
    • Drinkers aged 35-44 are interested in exploring the range of ways to consume white spirits
    • Graph 20: ways to drink white spirits at home, by age, 2025
    • Refresh popular classic cocktails with new, but familiar twists
    • Graph 21: types of white spirits cocktails consumed in the past year, 2025
    • New twists on popular cocktails have a ready audience in white spirits consumers who drink 3+ types of spirits
    • Graph 22: cocktail consumption, by repertoire of white spirits purchases, 2025
    • Textured cocktails might be the key to engaging Gen Z adults
    • Graph 23: cocktails consumed with white spirits in the past year by Generation Z adults , 2025
    • Associations with white spirits
    • White spirits are torn between celebrations and easy drinking
    • Graph 24: associations with specific spirits, 2025
    • Vodka is a go-to for parties, while younger consumers think it’s trendy and celebratory
    • Graph 25: associations with vodka, by generation, 2025
    • Grey Goose campaign emphasizes the benefits of savoring the good times
    • Gen Z helps tequila shed its party image
    • Graph 26: associations with tequila, by generation, 2025
    • Gen Zs and Millennials show appreciation for gin, but don’t stick with it
    • Graph 27: associations with gin, by generation, 2025
    • Factors that drive choice in white spirits
    • Flavor, price and brand lead choice
    • Graph 28: factors that influence choice of one white spirit over another, 2025
    • White spirits buyers place a bigger emphasis on flavor and past positive experiences
    • Graph 29: top three factors that would influence choice of one spirit brand over another, by white spirit purchase, 2025
    • Younger men prioritize US-made and trendy brand
    • Graph 30: select reasons to choose one white spirit over another, by gender and age, 2025
    • Attitudes towards white spirits
    • White spirits are regarded for their versatility, but consumers are still open to some variety
    • Graph 31: attitudes about white spirits – NET, any agree, 2025
    • Most consumers have found their favorite drinks and brands
    • Graph 32: attitudes about white spirits – NET, any agree – away-from-home consumption choices, by age, 2025
    • Continue to pique cocktail curiosity and amp up flavored options
    • Graph 33: attitudes about white spirits – NET, any agree – versatility and flavor, by age, 2025
    • Absolut campaign highlights versatility in a range of classic cocktails
    • Brands can showcase versatility and promote special editions worthy of collecting
    • Graph 34: attitudes about white spirits – NET, any agree – versatility and collecting, by gender and age, 2025
    • Imported brands enjoy a premium reputation, but consumers are cautious about price hikes from tariffs
    • Graph 35: select attitudes about white spirits – NET, any agree – tariffs and origin, by gender and age, 2025
    • There’s curiosity about new spirits, but brands have to build up consumers’ confidence
    • Graph 36: attitudes about white spirits – NET, any agree – openness to new types, by age, 2025
  4. PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • Launch activity and innovation
    • Retail launches of white spirits has dropped from a pandemic peak
    • Graph 37: launches of vodka, tequila, gin and white rum, by moving annual periods, 2020-25
    • White spirits brands are not just refreshing packaging, they are innovating
    • Sweet flavors offer easy mixability
    • Spicy, herbal and floral notes could help brands stand out
    • Graph 38: flavor landscape for vodka, tequila and rum, 2025
    • Tequila takes over white spirit launch activity at retail
    • Graph 39: share of white spirit launches, by sub-category, 2020-25
    • White spirits tie to a place to transport drinkers
    • Smaller bottles encourage trial among curious consumers
    • Companies can expand options of imported white spirits
    • Marketing and advertising
    • Tito’s Handmade Vodka aims to elevate everyday experiences
    • White spirits brands move in for sports fans
    • Sazerac’s brands ride the rising wave of casual dining chains
    • Patrón touts purity of ingredients to stand out from other tequilas
    • Diageo brands innovate alongside cutting-edge technology
    • 1800 Tequila highlights its premium taste
  5. APPENDIX

    • The market
    • Market definition
    • Market size methodology
    • Forecast methodology
    • Forecast fan chart methodology
    • Forecast fan chart additional detail
    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Repertoire analysis methodology
    • US generations
    • Abbreviations and terms

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